I'm going to a Passover Seder on April 23. What can I expect?

Anyone here Jewish?

I'm being assigned a dish to prepare and bring, but I don't know what it is yet (please don't let it be hard to make!).

I'm pretty excited, all three of us are going. It's being put on by our UU church in the home of one of our Jewish members. I LOVE experiencing different religions, cultures, etc.

There'll be some readings about Passover, and probably some singing. It kind of depends on how serious everyone is about it. I'm quite fond of the food. We usually have, in addition to the Matzah, etc, that are an actual part of the ceremony, a leg of lamb or something similar. Maybe some chicken--it's nothing too fancy.

But anyway, it should be fun--it's specifically designed to be a relaxed dinner (in fact, that's actually part of the ceremony) and there's nothing incredibly religious about it, at least the way we do it--much more of a cultural thing for me, anyway.

I understand we'll also be served kosher wine.

and plenty of it. There are points in the service where you are instructed to finish your glass! :-)

I'll try to find out my old neighbor's recipe. It was delish! :9

I'm still looking-bear with me.

I've had matzo kugel, but it's really not the same.

Who knew!

Just kiddin'.

They tried to kill us.

We won.

Let's eat.


Seriously, passover is a celebration of freedom from slavery. I love inviting non-jewish participants because it makes me look at the holiday with fresh eyes and appreciation for the message.

Have a great time!

Don't forget to assign a designated driver - some of us take the responsibility to drink four full cups of wine very seriously. ;)

They tried to kill us.

We won.

Let's eat.

ROFL!

Chicken Soup, Gefilte fish, Pot roast and/or roast beef, kugel(noodle casserole) so much more!!!!
and lots and lots of desserts.
There will be wine.
The Seder consists of telling the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt. There are food symbols on the table representing various aspects of the story. I am sure it will all be explained to you.

It should be a very relaxed, enjoyable, food filled evening.

EDIT: How could I forget the MATZO!!!!!!

I can't wait. Wonder what I'll be asked to bring. My daughter is ten, do kids sip the passover wine, or what?

I think I'll maybe google this, too and see what I find. I just don't want to screw up.

But it usually comes in a bottle that looks like wine bottle and is served in wine glasses. Adds to the fun for the little ones!

They don't usually like it enough to drink much, but there are some funny stories about my brothers and cousin finishing all four glasses of wine when they were very young. They seemed to find everything very amusing that night.

My aunt, on the other hand, gives everyone grape juice.

So don't worry about feeling awkward there!

When I attended my first with my girlfriend's family, the only serious theology question that came up was:
"Are marshmallows Kosher for passover?"
(they aren't, BTW)

Seders are fun; I think you'll enjoy it. If you're lucky, all the wine will be followed by the 'little goat' song, complete with sound effects!

dayenu

That's the "it would have been sufficient" one. The little goat one is Chad Gadya...or however you'd spell it in English.

Very catchy. It's not a bad earworm to have.

It is not a good thing. We spend most of the seder trying to block him out. :)

;)

They'll probably be minimal, considering the group, but you might want to make sure that you don't use milk and meat in the same dish, so no cream sauces or cream of X soups if you're using meat. And skip the pork and shellfish.

Here are a LOT of recipes that you won't have to worry about: RecipeSource's Jewish subcategory. http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/non-regional/jewish/

I usually make a Cherry-Apple Kugel (though the fruits can be varied to taste)

Cherry Apple Matzo Kugel
6 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
5 matzos -- whole sheets
Boiling water -- for soaking
6 large apples -- peeled and chopped
1/4 pound butter -- melted
12 ounce jar cherry preserves

OVEN: 350
Greased 9 x 13-inch pan

Beat eggs til light and fluffy. Break up matzos into small pieces. Pour boiling water over and drain well. Add sugar to eggs; beat again. Add matzo; beat again. Add melted butter; fold in apples.

Bake 1 hour. Spread preserves on top; bake 10 minutes longer.

Just kiddin!