Passover Playbook by jfgoorlando

PASSOVER PLAYBOOK

orlandojcc.org

CONTENTS

04 2021 New Traditions What's different about Passover this year?

Celebrating Passover's Uniqueness

There is no one way to do Passover!

What's your Haggadah Vibe?

14 How to Bring New Life to Your Passover

For The Foodies

Family Storytime & Activities

What's In Your Ball?

SoulCare A Mental Wellness Check-In

Celebrating Passover's Uniqueness There is no one way to do Passover!

Let's start with JFGO Executive Director, Keith Dvorchik's family traditions

MOTHER KNOWS BEST Beth Rose fondly recalls Seders of past and present

When I think of Passover, I think of my mom’s kitchen. My mom seems to have a magical organizational power when it comes to all Jewish holiday cooking. But with Passover, she really knocks our cooking set-up out of the park. Preparations go into place a week before with recipes and various pantry ingredients resting in the dish which the food will later be served. My mom will set her Seder table early as well, always sending a picture in our group family text for all of us to oooh and ahhh over - her dining room always looks spectacular for Passover. Every year my sister and I undoubtedly fight over the menu and who is making what as my mom referees us apart like we are back to being kids. We argue over which kugel to make - apple or pineapple (we are NOT a potato kugel family), whether nuts should cover the entire chocolate matzah or just half, the amount of carrots that should cook with the brisket and if we really need the spicy potatoes my sister loves but no one else appreciates. We each have an assigned spot in the kitchen where we do our portion of the cooking - this assignment has never been said out loud, but it is something that is silently understood between the three of us. Last year, my 5-year-old daughter, Hannah, began helping us in the kitchen as we cooked. She too has her own spot, standing in-between my mom and sister.

As I write this, I can feel the cool air in my childhood home as the AC is dropped to 67°f to accommodate the extra warmth that will fill the house as guests arrive. Finally, the time arrives and friends & family fill our home. I am an adult with my own children and somehow still sit at the kids table which is now filled with a new generation of adorable, toothy kids. There are some quirks that happen every year, you may call them traditions. My step-dad will start us off strong in leading the Seder only then to lose his place in the Haggadah. At this point, we will all shout back to him, you’re on page xx!. It is without question that when the time comes for matzah ball soup, my mom will stand up and ask everyone at our Seder, how many balls? One or two? One or two?, pointing at each person around the table. There will be laughter and singing, someone will for sure mess up the lyrics to Dayenu, we will test out new, popular tunes with traditional Passover lyrics and we will enjoy the time we are able to spend together. Elijah will also make an appearance, wearing their very best white twin size sheet. My mom, sister and I end our Passover Seder the same way each year. At the end of the night, once everyone has gone home, we nibble on the leftover food while cleaning up the mess we have made (we are not a clean-as-you-go family), washing dishes, finishing open bottles of wine and discussing anything interesting, funny or outrageous that may have happened during Seder. We always yell at my Step-Dad who will come back into the kitchen to take more brisket or to steal Chocolate Matzah to bring back to the family room while watching tv. I will sneak away to check on my kids to make sure they are actually sleeping and not causing a ruckus at their Mimi’s house. We will go to bed with a clean kitchen, full bellies and love in our hearts.

"I am an adult with my own children and somehow still sit at the kids table which is now filled with a new generation of adorable, toothy kids."

Seder themes can be both fun and educational!

The Osteen Family took a step back in time, and dressed-up in colorful period costumes while sitting on the floor on cushions, and enjoying a traditional seder.

We host a musical Seder. My oldest plays the guitar and we sing well known songs that we have changed the words to tell the story. - Vicki Renert Freed Peisner

Pajama Passover Just before Passover, we watch Rugrats Passover, then we do Bedikat Chametz. One night is always Pajama Seder! We started this when the kids were very young, to save time post-Seder on the bedtime routine, and the kids insisted that the grown-ups wear pajamas to the seder, too. It was a good way to talk about freedom to choose what we want to do and to talk about the leisure parts of Passover with very young children. This spring they'll be 12 and a half and 11, and we still have Pajama Seder. - Erica Grumet Grabish

PASSOVER IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. I love everything about it. The way that the room feels like a hug because the love inside it is palpable. The way the house smells like matzo ball soup and my mom’s special gefilte fish loaf. The chatter of all my siblings, nieces, nephews, and family friends fills my eardrums until the moment the Seder begins. Each person takes a turn reading a page from the Haggadah, with each turn of the page we get closer to the frog song! My mom, my sister, myself, and anyone else we can manage to rope in begin jumping around the room like frogs while everyone sings “Frogs here, frogs there, frogs are jumping everywhere!” The room always explodes with laughter that carries us through the rest of the Seder and into our delicious meal. The room once again fills with overlapping conversations until it is time to find the Afikoman. It used to be my parent’s five children searching the house for the coveted piece of matzah, two-dollar bills, and scratch off tickets, now it is their four grandchildren running the halls. Even at 31 years old, that part is still magic to me; I have never figured out when or how my dad manages to sneak away to hide the Afikoman. That’s the thing about Passover though, no matter how many years we have followed the same traditions it still sparks the same joy and gratitude inside of me for my family, the Orlando Jewish community I grew up in, and Judaism as a whole.

- Robin Feuerman Wilson

celebrating passover's uniqueness

SEAS THE CHALLENGE

Ming & Hilary Marx bring an artistic challenge to celebrating Seder: a Gefilte fish sculpture contest, with a different theme each year for guests to create fish art.

My family is spread out all over the US and every single one of us use the same Haggadahs from the JCC that we’ve been using for over 30 years. There’s mostly songs with the tunes set to children’s songs and it’s a blast, last year we all did a zoom Seder. - Jayme Reitz Peterson 8

Every Jewish family produces a unique version of the Passover seder.

Seder at the GolD Family home.

Seder at the MEGDAL Family home.

Seder at the ANDERSEN Family home.

Elijah visits!

Every Jewish family produces a unique version of the Passover seder.

The Jewish Pavilion serves residents in elder-care communities throughout Central Florida. We provide holiday gift bags and celebrations, musicales, classes, memorial services, grief support and other opportunities to make all residents smile and bring them love and tradition!

Penny Goldstein, CFO/Managing Director, Jewish Pavilion

Seder at the choen-stoll house finds the kids reading BOOKS from the pj library, written just for them to understand. 10

WHY DO WE ASK THE FOUR QUESTIONS The Melton Perspective

By Julia Berger, Coordinator of Adult Jewish Learning Whenever I think about the Passover seder, one of the first things I think of are the Four Questions. Maybe this is because of the importance my parents (like many Jewish parents) placed on my learning to recite them in Hebrew. Maybe it’s because well into my thirties I somehow ended up at seders where I was the youngest person, thus prolonging my job as the reciter of the questions well into adulthood. More recently, as a parent and Jewish educator, I’ve found myself taking another look at the Four Questions and their role in the Passover seder. The first questions one might ask about the Four Questions is where do they come from and why do we ask them? The complete text of the Four Questions, along with certain instructions for their recitation, is found in the part of the Mishnah (a 3rd century BCE compilation of scholarly writings) that deals with Passover. So this text is actually quite old. But what’s more interesting is that the instructions that go along with the text are that a child should ask the questions and that if the child can’t ask them, then a parent is to instruct the child. Why is a child supposed to ask these questions? Why not just have the parent tell the child about the Passover rituals? There are two reasons. The first is that the Passover seder is meant to be a teaching tool. It’s not just a big social event with glasses of wine and unusual foods; rather, everything within the seder has a symbolic purpose. Each food we eat and each question we ask is meant to teach our children about what happened in Egypt and why it is important to us today. It is part of l’dor v’dor (“from generation to generation”). The second reason is even more important. The Mishnah appears to recognize something that we know is true today: frontal teaching (where a parent simply tells a child something) is not nearly as effective as experiential and interactive learning. The experience of the seder is meant to elicit questions from the child. So, why direct the child to ask questions? Isn’t that counterproductive? Isn’t it really the same as just telling the child what’s happening? To understand the Mishnah’s reasoning, we need to look the end of this text. It tells us that if a child can’t ask the questions, then the parent must instruct the child. The Four Questions then become a tool that parents can use to help their children ask questions. They are a starting point, and not an end in and of themselves.

This text from the Mishnah is a reminder that the important part of the Four Questions is not memorizing them, not chanting them, not even reading them. The important thing is to create a seder that encourages our children to ask questions and make the exodus from Egypt their own. If a child cannot ask questions for any reason, then we are encouraged to help by giving them the four questions as a way to start a discussion. There are lots of different ways to engage your children in the seder, and many of them are included in this Passover Playbook.

What's Your Haggadah Vibe? There are literally hundreds of Haggadahs floating around the universe. You can even create your own Haggadah on haggadot.com. Googling the phrase "Passover Haggadah" will spit out a million and one answers which may leave you feeling a bit verklempt. Check out a few of our favorite Haggadahs to use at our Passover Seders!

Click the haggadahs for a PDF! American Jewish Committee

PJ Library

JewBelong

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

Bronfman Center

Also available in Russian | Spanish

A Queer Passover Haggadah

2021 New Traditions Passover, or Pesach, is one of the most beloved Jewish holidays in our tradition. But while we celebrate our heritage, we all do it in different ways of engagement. Find your unique way to make the holiday special for your family and friends.

Dry Seders

From Rabbi Orrin Krublit Siegel Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation

From Rabbi Arny Siegel Jewish Family Services Orlando

Passover is our Jewish “Festival of Freedom,” and in this light, no one around the Seder table (remotely included), should be forced to engage in a “Dry Seder,” meaning no alcohol served. However, a gracious host should not impose such stricture to begin with either, and such a rule is not needed. For countless seders, I set wine (alcohol content) and non-alcoholic grape juice (usually sparkling and kosher) for participants to choose. (I personally prefer the sparkling juice.) The b’rakha, “borei pri hagafen,” means, “Creator of the fruit of the vine”, not exclusively alcoholic wine (also not any other than grape). So grape juice (kosher for Passover) is permitted (“Kedem” brand, for example). For some, a “Dry Seder” is not optional. I strongly hold that certain professions, like first responders, should not be drinking any alcoholic beverages while on-call. Also, the sugar content of wine and grape juice could well be a concern for diabetics.In such a case, due concern ought to be given to the sugar content of either product. Of course, in showing our respect to everyone, nothing ought to be said about one’s preference. Next to love of God is love of (wholesome) life. So, let’s make every Seder gathering a healthy one. Chag Sameach v’Kasheir.

Wine. Some of us hate it, some of us love it, and some of us love it a little bit too much. But you can be sober and observe, and even enjoy, the Jewish holidays.

As our social conscience has grown during these past years around issues related to alcoholism and drug abuse, the “Dry Seder” has emerged as an innovative and holy Passover tradition. This seder replaces any use of alcohol, including the famous four cups of wine, with non-alcoholic alternatives, such as grape juice. What is gained from such a switch? In a time where we want all to feel welcomed and treasured, not judged and shamed, making your Seder a Dry Seder by default preserves people’s dignity and respects their privacy. Passover is a holiday about being freed from slavery, and many today feel enslaved by their substance use. Through hosting a Dry Seder, you can ensure that every single person has the right to fully celebrate this holiday of freedom.

A SOBER PERSON’S GUIDE TO JEWISH HOLIDAYS

click here for a sober person's guide to celebrating the jewish holidays 15

Kickass Seder in nine easy steps

Too many Seders are as dull as matzah! Hosting a fun, thought-provoking Seder is important! Heck, it might be the only Jewish experience of the year for some of your guests! Seems like a lot of pressure, but we’ve got you covered with everything from how long the Seder should last to whom to invite to adding creative touches to make it a fun meal! click here for your guide

plating it safe for a new age Passover is a highly experiential holiday, a time when we typically come together with family, friends, and the rest of our community in celebration of our Judaism – remembering our past and anticipating our future. For some families, this is the one time of year when they join together in person to share traditions, tell stories, and create lasting memories. This year, the continued COVID-19 pandemic means that we again cannot share physical spaces – but modern technology allows us to gather virtually, so that we may still create the experiences that achieve so many of the intentions of the holiday. click here for a video on hosting a virtual seder

reflections

with Maya Balaban, founder of Israelibox Israelibox.co

Shalom! I'm Maya. I was born and raised in Israel and today live in a small moshav with my husband and three sons. I founded Israelibox two and a half years ago as part of my mission to spread my love for Israel throughout the world. In the past year, this mission has become even more important as tourists haven’t been able to visit. Every month, I send a box full of five Israeli-made products (by small business and non-profits!) that epitomize the Israeli experience to me. This month, as we celebrate Pesach, I’d love to give you 10% off our gift boxes with the coupon code: 10jfgo As the Pesach seder approaches, I swear you can smell it in the air here in Israel (and that’s before anyone has started cooking). It starts with the cleaning. In Israel, “spring cleaning” is Pesach cleaning. It’s much more than getting rid of chametz but also the chance to welcome the holiday and spring with the feeling of something new.

Recreating rituals while locked down requires some improvising On the morning of Aliza Kline’s Passover Seder, a message went out to her dinner guests detailing that evening’s plan. Half the note was technical instructions (“We suggest that each person has their own laptop or tablet.”) The other half was a list of traditional foods that would be needed for the ceremony (“But don’t stress if you can’t find anything on this list,” she added. “We're in a pandemic, after all.”) No one was invited to join in person.

When we’re getting ready for Pesach, I make sure that our house is packed with Kosher for Pesach foods, that we have new clothes for the seder night and make plans for the week of vacation.

Two weeks earlier, Kline had launched Seder2020, an online platform for Jews like herself who found themselves separated from their families by a global pandemic right in time for Passover, the most communal of Judaism’s holidays. She’d even posted a guide to virtual Seders that began with a comforting sentence: “Jews have been adapting to changing circumstances for over 5,000 years. You can do this. This night indeed is different from all other nights.”

When seder night arrives, we’ll head to my mother’s house in Haifa. The roads are always packed with everyone heading to family throughout the country. I love it. It’s such an Israeli feeling, as everyone celebrates together.

click here to read the full story

As the seder night approaches, the preparations are at a peak. This year, there’s even more excitement than usual, as this is the first holiday in over a year in which we’re allowed (according to regulations) to celebrate with family. For me, Pesach symbolizes family time. Families gather throughout Israel to celebrate the holiday and then spend the week together (when there is no school and many people take off of work). Every year my family and I travel throughout Israel, including camping at some of our favorite spots, and enjoy each other’s company. We look forward to Pesach, when the weather is simply perfect, all year long.

How are you celebrating Pesach this year?

for justice

Add a Fifth Cup Place an empty “Fifth Cup” in the

center of the Seder table. Ask each person to pour a small amount of their own wine to help fill the cup, representing their commitment to do their part to build a better world. Once the cup is full, raise it up in honor of the powerful impact we can have when we pursue justice together.

see more ideas on how to bring social justice to your seder table

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

The tips I would have for making an inclusive seder is finding out from your family or guests or if you already know accommodations that might be needed and preparing those ahead of time so that everyone feels supported and welcome. Large print Haggadahs. Maybe some fidgits. Having a different kind of Haggadah that has images rather than words or both.. maybe creating one. Create a social story or find a social story that goes through the seder night.

- Rena Rosen, JCC Chicago Inclusion Coordinator

LESSONS LEARNED In late March, Jewish families will be preparing for our second “pandemic Passover.” One year in, we have moved from asking “How do we create a virtual version of our holiday traditions?” to “What have we learned from 2020?” Now, with several other virtual or reimagined celebrations under our collective belts, it seems we have come full circle. read more here

pioneers for inclusivity

for passover

For the past 6 years, RAISE has been bringing Passover (and Hanukkah) to the Lakewood Center, a long term residential facility for adults with long term disabilities. https://www.lakewoodcenter.org/ The residence located in Central Florida is the home to adults with chronic disabilities, some of whom are Jewish. RAISE is the first program to bring Jewish celebrations, open to all faiths to Lakewood for Passover and Hanukkah. Prior to the pandemic, planning an in-person Seder was festive and easy and brought familiarity and a nostalgic celebration to all who attended. This spring, after a successful virtual Hanukkah party, RAISE will be bringing a Zoom Passover Seder to the Lakewood Center residents. It is amazing what can happen online, in coordination with their appreciative staff. We will deliver the Seder tray and many of the traditional foods in advance, and tell the Passover story and read the Haggadah together virtually. Of course, what would a Seder be without matzo ball soup, charoses, matza, latkes, sour cream and applesauce!? We are honored to have entertainment by the beloved Cantor Allan Robuck from Congregation Ohev Shalom singing his favorite Passover songs. Year after year we return to bring back the holidays and joy to all. It feels good to give.

learn more about RAISE

inclusion prayer

pioneers for inclusivity

For your Passover Seder To be read after the description of the 4 children:

The Fifth Child For those of us who believe that we do not belong, who have been “othered” into imagining that we do not count, that we do not have a seat at this table, who wonder “why not me?” – we pray that on this Pesach we can find strength in our story, inspiration from the many millennia of our ancestors demonstrating hope and perseverance, and locate a clear, strong voice to be able to assert a seat at the table. We belong everywhere. And just as we must continue to proclaim our right for freedom and choice, we must also be aware of the rights of those in our midst whose voices may have been suppressed by those around them, who need our help to make room at the table, and offer them a friendly face and an outstretched arm to invite them in to listen and effect change. As we are all created in God’s image, b’tzelem elohim, our table will reflect all of the facets of God. We belong everywhere.

Lori Zlotoff, URJ Camp Harlam, Inclusion Coordinator

more resources for inclusivity

Tips for Interfaith Families: How to Make a Seder Inclusive An important Jewish value is to invite strangers to the seder, which celebrates freedom. The following tips are designed to make those at the table who are not Jewish feel more comfortable with the holiday, rituals and traditions.

learn more

How to Make Your Seder More Inclusive

Planning a Passover Seder in the midst of social distancing can seem like a depressing exercise. Many of us are envisioning dining room tables empty of our usual guests and mourning the time we aren't able to spend with friends and extended families. However, this year's unique circumstances may present families of children with disabilities with an opportunity to create a personalized Seder that truly works for them. Here are some tips for creating a family Seder that will be meaningful and engaging for all participants, from pre-readers, to individuals with learning differences to those unfamiliar with Hebrew language and Jewish traditions.

learn more

Six Ways to Make Passover More Inclusive Holidays can be a difficult time for those who are not fully out or comfortable sharing their truth with their community. Here are some tips from the Human Rights Campaign.

learn more 21

How to Bring

New Life

to Your Passover Looking for some new ideas for your Passover? We've got some ideas for table scapes and new ways to get the kids involved!

here's a few table scapes to spark some inspiration! cantor bryce megdal's tablescape

diy table runner

@yourjewishlife

crafts galore!

zoom-ready!

TABLE

SCAPES 23

matzah placecards matzoh toffee placecards @rebekahlowin

learn how to make your own here!

everyone decorates their own

@myjewishmommylife One of the things I love most about preparing for Pesach is personalizing the Seder table and making it feel special and welcoming to guests. In our home we make place cards out of matzah! It looks lovely on the table and make each of our guests know they have a place (literally!) in our home and at our table. You can also use melted chocolate if you want to make this an edible treat, and you can decorate them even more with your kids by using markers and stickers. Pro Tip: Write on the underside or smoother side of the matzah for best results! Follow @MyJewishMommyLife for more Passover ideas!

another idea...

follow @MyJewishMommyLife for more Passover ideas!

get the pets involved!

BUILDING

PASSOVER

Kid power can add a new dimension to your Seder table! By Julia Berger (Coordinator of Adult Jewish Learning, JFGO) My son loves Legos. A couple of years ago when we were looking for ways to make our Seder more kidfriendly, we stumbled upon this video of the Passover Seder told with Legos. It was a big hit. Even the adults enjoyed it as something different. click here to see video There are also pictures of the crossing of the Red Sea made of Legos. These might be a fun way to decorate your seder table. Kids can build their idea of the story before Passover and then it can be used at the Seder as table decoration and a prop for telling the story. click here for inspiration

ways to help children get ready for seder By Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer from The New York Jewish Week

Get familiar with the Passover story and songs before the Seder. There are so many wonderful, multi-sensory ways to teach your child about Passover. One way to begin is by watching Passover-related videos—I especially like those from Shalom Sesame and bimbam. Start playing Passover music that you can listen to and sing together in the car or at home while cleaning. Consider the sensory environment of your seder. If you’re attending a seder at the home of a family member or friend, you can ask ahead of time if there’s a room where your child can go take a break if he/she is feeling overwhelmed or restless. Depending on how long your child is able to sit for the seder, you may want to consider bringing a babysitter or aide so that you can stay and participate in the seder if your child needs a break. Make tactile things available for everyone. There are so many fun hands-on objects that your child—and everyone at your seder table can enjoy during the seder—wooden Passover puzzles, Model Magic that can be used to sculpt scenes from the Exodus story, crayons, markers, and dot paints to color your own Haggadah. Plan for what food your child will eat. Children who have sensory-based feeding issues may only eat a limited number of foods and trying all of the different foods at a typical Passover seder—from maror and charoset to gefilte fish and matzah ball soup—may not be possible. Make memories to draw from next year. Take photos of your child helping you get ready for Passover—cleaning, going shopping for special Passover food, making a Passover craft together. Snap a photo or video of the seder table or of your child singing a Passover song with you. click here for the whole story

For The

Foodies Jewish cuisine is influenced by the foods in the many countries where Jews have lived.

Israeli

Inspired Recipes provided by Avivit Erlichman

Passover Latkes 1 cup of Matza flour 1 egg 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper 3-4 cups of water In a big bowl, add the matza flour, salt, and pepper. Mix the eggs in a separate bowl and add it to the mix we already have. Mix everything and start adding the water, cup by cup, no more than 3, until you see if it's needed or not. The end goal is to reach a mix that is not too liquidy or too dry. Add oil in a pan and start to add a spoon each time of the mix and fry it on both sides. We say in Hebrew: Betehavon (Bon Appetit)

Matza Brei 4 Matza crackers 2 eggs Salt, pepper 1. Break the matzah into coarse squares, and place in a medium bowl. 2. Add boiling water until the matzahs are covered. Soak the matzah until completely absorbed (about 2-3 minutes). 3. Strain, and squeeze well with your hands to remove excess water. 4. Beat eggs in a medium bowl, add salt. 5. Mix the egg batter with the matzah. 6. Heat a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of butter over medium heat, and pour in the batter. 7. Fry until the bottom is browned for about 4-6 minutes, gently transfer the matzah-brei to a plate. Add the second tablespoon of butter to the pan and fry the other side of the matzah bray until golden, about 4-6 minutes. Serve hot with either sugar and maple syrup or assorted cheese plater.

Matzah Cake with chocolate

The matzah cake that the children enjoy the most on Passover! 6 matzahs 200 g dark chocolate sweet cream 2 tablespoons chocolate spread candies to sprinkle on top 1. Wet the matzah for about 10 - 20 seconds under the stream of water and set it aside. 2. In a double boiler or microwave, melt the chocolate and a splash of sweet cream until smooth. 3. Two options: Dip the matzah in the chocolate or spread the chocolate on the matzah. Lay on top of each other and refrigerate for a few hours. 4. Sprinkle with candy.

Almond Cake gluten-free with orange and coconut

For a cake mold with a diameter of 9.5 inches 2 cups finely ground blanched almonds 1 cup ground coconut Pinch of salt 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract / puree 1/2 cup canola oil 3-4 tablespoons sliced almonds used for decoration at the end Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a pan with baking paper and grease the sides. 1. In a bowl, mix well the ground almonds, ground coconut, and salt. 2. In a separate bowl, mix the grated orange peel well with the sugar, until the sugar turns yellow and has a strong orange aroma. 3. Add the eggs, vanilla, and oil and stir well. 4. Add the almond and coconut mixture and mix well just until uniform overnight. 5. Transfer the batter to the baking pan and spread the almond slices evenly over. 6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top of the cake is browned and springy to the touch. 7. Remove and cool completely before serving. The cake is kept at room temperature when tightly wrapped for up to 4 days.

Passover Crembo Cake

Layered cake on a matzah flour base, followed by a layer of whipped cream and topped with chocolate ganache icing. Bottom of the cake: 2 large eggs XL (or 3 small eggs) Half a cup of sugar 1/4 cup of oil 6 tablespoons water 3 full tablespoons of cocoa powder 6 heaping tablespoons matzah flour 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

Cream layer: Container and a half of sweet cream/vegetable whipped cream (375 ml) 4 tablespoons of vanilla instant pudding One-third cup of milk (for non-dairy use, you can use soy/coconut milk or put a quarter cup of cold water) The ganache layer: Half a container of sweet cream/vegetable whipped cream (125 ml) 3.5 oz of dark chocolate

Bottom Cake: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Mix cocoa powder, matzah flour, and baking powder in a bowl. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with sugar in a mixer for about 3 minutes until the mixture is puffy and light. 4. Add the oil and water and at the end the bowl of flour (cocoa, matzah flour, and baking powder) and mix until a uniform mixture forms 5. Grease a round 12-inch pan and pour the mixture into it (Note: the mixture is low but it will swell to about a third of the pan after baking). 6. Bake for 15 minutes, remove and cool completely. Cream Layer: 1. Whip the cream for about half a minute. Add vanilla instant pudding and milk until a stable whipped cream is obtained. Pour a uniform layer over the cake. 2. Put the cake in the freezer for at least an hour before pouring the top layer of ganache. Ganache Layer: 1. Melt the cream in the microwave with the chocolate cubes and mix until smooth. 2. Cool to room temperature and pour over the cake evenly.

Passover Meringues Recipe by @thehangryjewishmother When I think about Passover traditions one thing always comes to mind – dessert! Maybe it’s all the matzah or that my birthday falls around the holiday, but I have a particular hankering for sugar during this week. My mom’s meringues are my go-to. Sweet, simple, and airy, these cookies are a taste I always look forward to. So much about Jewish food is the people who make it for us. From the special cookie tin she keeps them in to the way my children react every time they eat their first one of the year, these are the epitome of the love and care she takes to make Passover special. The recipe below will be passed down for generations to come! Heat oven to 350. In a medium-size bowl mix together 3 egg whites until you get peaks. Continue mixing while adding Pinch of salt Pinch of cream of tater Cup of sugar 1 tsp. of vanilla **Food coloring can be added here for some extra fun Carefully fold in ¾ of a cup of your favorite ingredients. This could include: Chocolate or white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips Nuts of any kind – crushed Toasted coconut Dates – finely chopped Use a teaspoon to scoop the mixture onto a cookie sheet. These can also be pipped onto a cookie sheet and formed into any shape. Put cookies in the oven and immediately turn the heat off. Leave in the oven until completely cool. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

PASSOVER

Chocolate CAKE

Recipe by @ella_and_noah My favorite Passover recipe is my family's traditional Passover chocolate cake. 1 cup of sugar 3 teaspoons of milk 200 grams of dark chocolate 200 grams of butter 6 eggs 2 spoons of Matzo meal 100 grams of chopped walnuts 1 grated Alexander apple (or any sweet apple you come across) 1. Melt the sugar & milk & chocolate 2. Melt the butter with the egg yolks 3. Combine the walnuts with the apple and matzo meal 4. Mix it all together to form the batter and set aside 1/3 of the batter 5. Whisk the egg whites 6. Combine the egg whites with 2/3 of the batter and bake for 25-30 minutes. It's best to bake in a spring form round cake tin. Test if it's ready with the toothpick test - it should come out clean with only a few crumbs stuck to it. Immediately when pulling the cake out of the oven pour on top the remainder of the batter you set aside.

Grape Mint Spritzer

Manischewitz Sangria

cocktails

kosher

click to see all the recipes

Sparkling Paloma Cocktails

Manischewitz Wine Slushies

Blood Orange Mimosa

pesach WINES

What to drink during Seder and for the remainder of Pesach 34

Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

Holiday Brisket Ina's Coconut Macaroons

For the

Master Chef

Potato Chip Zucchini Sticks

Stovetop Tzimmes

click the image for the recipe

Simple and Easy

grill master meats RECIPES FROM LEE CHEPENIK

lamb tenderloin I cut/clean the tenderloin and remove all silver skin, cartilage and fat. I know that this can add flavor with steaks, but with Lamb, it is harder to render the fat, and the flavor is still wonderful without it. I cut the lamb into 2in x 2in cubes if I can, and season with yellow curry, Montreal steak, turmeric and let it sit out for 2-3 hours so it gets close to room temperature. I cook the cubes for about 3 mins per side on my Green Egg at the highest temperature I can get it to (around 550/600 degrees minimum), and then finish in the oven at 375 for about 10-12 mins. Great with cauliflower rice and vegetables.

lamb tenderloin

whole chicken I rub the outside of the chicken with lemon, turmeric, montreal steak or salt/pepper, chili flake, and I use a beer can chicken holder. I cut up lemon where the beer is supposed to go... This allows me to both capture the drippings and cook the veggies in the tray with the drippings, as well as keep the drippings from putting the fire out. This is where you have to know your grill, but I like the chicken to cook at 450 for about 45-55 min, depending on the amount of coals in the fire. I cut onions and brussel sprouts and carrots to catch the drippings (yum), and try and get some on a different grill plate to get a little char. The combination layer of these vegetables is also key for the flavor.

roasted chicken

by Bubby Chocolate Charoset Recipe by Esther Novak, As adapted by Rachel Teichman

@craftsandcrumbs and @bisforbagelbook

1/2 cup slivered almonds 10 pitted dates 6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips 1 peeled mandarin orange or two orange slices 2 small bananas 1tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp. grape juice or any juice Grind nuts in food processor. Add chocolate chips and grind together. Add dates, bananas, oranges, cinnamon and grind together. Add grape juice and grind all together. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of charoset. Can be chilled for a more sturdy texture. Other nuts may be substituted as well.

Moroccan Charoset Adapted from The Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene Contributed by Rachel Teichman

@craftsandcrumbs and @bisforbagelbook

2 cups walnut pieces 1 cup blanched slivered almonds 25 pitted dates 10 large brown figs 20 dried apricots about 2 tsp cinnamon about 1/4 cup purple grape juice Grind nuts in food processor. Then add dried fruits and grind all together. Add cinnamon and grape juice and grind all together.

Apple Matzoh Kugel

Grandma Moosie's Mondelbrot

Recipe from Carol Feuerman

Recipe from Penny Gold

This Matoh Kugel recipe came from the old JCC Nursery School cookbook called Hugs and Knishes. It was published in 1995 and I still use it for some wonderful recipes from our community. This one was from “Grandma Selma” and I make it every year for Passover. Over the year's I've tweaked the recipe to make it my own. 8 Matzohs 8 eggs 3 large peeled apples sliced thin ½ cup melted margarine 1 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup raisins rinsed in hot water Pinch of salt Soak and drain matzoh Add beaten egg, mix gently, add all other ingredients. Grease a 9 x 12 pan and bake for 45 – 50 minutes.

Pull up a chair, take a taste. Come join us, life is so endlessly Delicious!

2 cup sugar 1/2 lb butter 6 eggs 2 3/4 cup cake meal 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup potato starch 6 oz chocolate chips Cream sugar and butter together. Add eggs one at a time. Sift cake meal, potato starch and salt. Mix with all ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Mix well. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 45 mins at 350.

food inspirations gluten-free and vegan Curated by Ashley Bundis (JFGO Marketing Director and Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Lover

2021 brings about an open platform to create great recipes that meet everyone's dietary needs. And, they can be tasty and filling! Who knew that plant-based could be so good for you and yummy at the same time? I love Deliciously Ella! I have been a fan of hers when her plant-based cookbook came out years ago. Now, several products, an app, cookbooks, and a podcast later she is still one of my continual go-to chefs that makes healthy taste good! try mixed bean stew with crispy kale BRING ON THE RICH HISTORY In my home, especially during Passover, I like to bring new recipes to our table that educate on other traditions. This is one of my favorite gluten-free, vegan dishes that always gets a positive response from the adults and kids at my table. History is so rich. It's even more beautiful when history can be told through food. Vicky and Ruth's cookbook Tahini & Tumeric is a staple item that I bring out not only at holiday time but also throughout the year (especially when I want to impress). try vegan gluten-free quinoa-paella

INSTAGRAM

WORTHY

INSTAGRAM

food inspirations WORTHY

WANT THE CRUNCH DURING THE MUNCH Maybe it is matzah fever, but, especially during Passover, I crave crunchy things. I can't eat matzah so I am left to grain-free gluten-free snackable foods. Usually, they are slim to none. My kids are always searching for something to nosh on. Trying to keep it healthy is a struggle EXCEPT if you make food on your own. Below are two great recipes that are sure to satisfy. try grain-free cherry almond passover biscotti try "no one needs to know it's good for you" coconut cherry vanilla smoothie

Sweet Dish

chocolate deliciousness Indulge yourself in gooey richness with these luscious sweet potato brownies with chocolate sauce click for the recipe

INSTAGRAM

WORTHY

matzah crackin'

MATZA BREI

Recipe from Karen Cinnamon yourjewishlife.co/passover-party

I am the founder of Jewish lifestyle membership site Smashing Life and Smashing the Glass, the world's biggest Jewish wedding platform. With offices in NYC and London, we curate non-judgmental, warm and inclusive online Jewish spaces to inspire you to lead your Jewish life your way in the company of like-minded women across the globe. My girls and I love making Matza Brei together (my husband’s grandma’s recipe) and also fun DIY table runners for the Seder table. 2 sheets matzo 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon wate Under cool running water, rinse matzo until they are quite wet Set it aside and let sit to soften while you prepare the pan. Place a large, preferably nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add butter. Once it melts and the foam subsides, break matzo sheets into bitesize pieces and add to pan. Sauté matzo in butter until it browns all over, about 2 minutes. Add eggs to the pan and scramble the mixture until it is just set but still light and fluffy. Sprinkle with sugar and toss well. Serve matzo brei with maple syrup!

MATZAH TOFFEE

Recipe from Rachel Teichman @craftsandcrumbs and @bisforbagelbook

1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar A 14 oz.-16 oz. container of matzah farfel 1 cup chocolate chips Toppings: sprinkles, chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, mini chocolate chips, ground salt Preheat oven to 350°. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar, and bring to a boil on medium heat. Simmer on medium-low for two minutes. Pour in all of the matzah farfel. Stir to coat the pieces. Pour onto a greased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Spread out evenly in the pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the farfel mixture. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the chips are soft. Remove from the oven and spread the chocolate out with a rubber or offset spatula. Sprinkle with the toppings of your choice. You can try out different ones on each part of the pan. Freeze until hardened. Break up into 1-2” pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

INSTAGRAM

WORTHY

matzah crackin'

MATZAH TOFFEE

Recipe from Ariel Scheer Stein @jewishfamilymagic

arielloves.com

These Chocolate Covered Matzah Toffee treats are an all-time Passover favorite! My daughters and I had the best time making them together, and an even better time eating them. Follow @JewishFamilyMagic on Instagram for more Jewish holiday inspiration!

Ingredients 3 sheets of Matzah 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (12-ounce bag) 1/2 cup of sprinkles or nuts A pinch of sea salt Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees Line a baking tray with tin foil + cover the whole tray with matzah (will be about 2 full sheets of matzah and then fill in the gaps with smaller matzah pieces) Making the Toffee: Combine butter + brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil Pour the boiling toffee over the matzah + use a spoon or spatula to spread into one even layer Put tray into oven + bake for 8-10 mins Remove pan from oven + scatter chocolate chips evenly over the top Wait 2-3 minutes for chips to soften + spread the chocolate into an even layer Sprinkle with your toppings (sprinkles, nuts, sea salt etc.) Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 45 minutes - not too much longer, otherwise it will be hard to cut Transfer the matzah onto a cutting board + using a large sharp knife, cut into 2-inch squares ENJOY your deliciously decadent creation!! And tag @jewishfamilymagic if you try this out!

INSTAGRAM

WORTHY

ball

i n s ' y t o a h

said seltzer water 44

said love

lls sinkers or a b flo r u a o

77%

? rs te

21% 10%

ar e

68%

said smaller than usual or Zoom

t ingredient e r c in se y all? rb ou

wha t's th

said gathering with family for Seder

re you h er a av d e in s f g o

r? yea is th

36%

what kin d

rite passo ve avo f r rt ou

n? tio di ra

wha ti sy

We asked and Orlando answered! Check out our Passover survey results.

said floaters

said salty

u do y ou

fol lo w

r do yo ul

said sweet

o ardic r Ashk h en p a Se

ons? diti tra zi

47% 53%

said yes

do you

oh bre matz i sw r u ee yo ? alty rs to

ik e

would yo u

said at the adult's table

59%

ar? ye

ble? ' ta lts du

72%

same recipes e ev th e e s

it at the kids' s or er h a at

29% 57% said Sephardic

said Ashkenazi

14% said a mix of both!

What was your most memorable Passover? 1980 something - talking about if homes would have a computer in them. My grandfather thought it would never happen! Passover in Israel! We stayed up till 2 am enjoying the seder and singing and telling the passover story. One of the standout features was a make-yourown charoset bar!

My first with my fiance's family--I would be converting. I loved the story and the family being together.

Every one I get to spend with my family.

family

Story

Time

Activities We've reached out to some of our favorite Jewish bloggers, influencers, and friends to find engaging activities for the whole family!

Writing Our Own Questions From Larissa Halfond at @kindnesscastle

This year, our family is starting a new tradition inspired by one of our favorite PJ Library books, The Best Four Questions, by Rachelle Burk. After reading the book, we talked about how at a Passover Seder, children have such an important job: to ask questions! We decided that this year, we would start having the children ask their own questions. My older child wanted to know if his pet bunny, Charlie, can eat charoset. My preschooler asked if there is matzah in matzah balls and how a Seder plate is made. We're so excited for our Seder when each of the children will ask their special questions!"

see more @kindnesscastle

Baby Moses In The River

From Lisa Dvorin from @makeitjewish This is the first Passover craft I do with my kindergarten class each year, and they always love it. It’s a great craft to do once you’ve shared the Passover story because it highlights this life-changing moment for Moses. There are a lot of pieces and steps to it, but kids truly enjoy cutting the oval for the “water” and lots of little strips of cardstock for the “reeds,” drawing a little face on Baby Moses, and of course tucking him in with a cozy blanket! You can have your kiddos’ masterpieces on your seder table, and they’ll be so proud to show everyone what they’ve made, especially when you get to the Baby Moses part of the haggadah!

see full instructions 48

family story time and activities

Homemade Matzah

From Jennifer Cohen from Our Happy Tribe You really only need two ingredients to make matzah - flour and water, but I like to add a little olive oil and salt too. It’s wonderful to involve children in this simple baking activity! They can help mix the flour, roll the dough and pierce each flattened dough circle with a fork.

see full instructions

Afikomen Bag From Jennifer Cohen from Our Happy Tribe After baking matzah, your children can make a DIY afikomen bag. I think most children will agree that the hunt for the afikomen is the most anticipated part of the Passover Seder. Our afikomen bag is made from a colorful piece of folded felt, hand-sewn on each side, andfinished with special springthemed decorations. To simplify the bag, children could even glue the folded edges together too.

see full instructions 49

10 Plagues Memory Cards From Kristi Link-Crosier from With Love, Ima This 10 Plagues Card Game is a fun way to review the Passover story and practice some skills at the same time! Each card has a picture (or more) of the plague, the name of it in English and Hebrew, and a number. The more exposure kids will have to activities featuring the 10 plagues, the better they will remember their names, learn the Hebrew, and be able to place the plagues in the correct order. And, one of the most important parts of this activity, is that they will have fun preparing for and learning about Passover!

see full instructions

Chametz Or Not?

From Kristi Link-Crosier from With Love, Ima Set up Chametz or Not? Sensory Bin to let your kids explore and categorize different foods so they have a better understanding of what foods we can eat during Passover. When the kids were finished sorting the types of foods, we swept the chametz crumbs to review how we search and sweep in preparation for Passover. This is a fun, hands-on activity to prepare for this special holiday!

see full instructions 50

Chametz Hunt From Rachel Teichman from Oogiah

Passover itself is full of individual traditions within the widespread tradition of the holiday itself. We are all told what to do when and how during the seder, but how we choose to spend the rest of the time is up to us. As long as we don’t eat chametz! My family likes to do a chametz hunt that is actually a game, but which instills the concept of searching for and doing away with leavened foods. A few days before Passover I will buy or bake some kind of mini treat such as mini muffins or brownie bites. I hid them in some obvious and also more hidden spots in our living room. Then the kids get to search, and of course eat some of what they find! But they always want to search more than once, so I end up hiding the baked goods more than once.

check out oogiah

A donation will be made to JFGO for every sale generated by this ad.

family story time and activities

check out these links!

10 Passover DIY Crafts and Seder Activites for Kids From MommyBlogExpert.com

An Interactive Felt Seder Plate

Janis from MommyBlogExpert.com lists ten of her favorite activities and crafts including a colorful Elijah's cup, Matzo place cards and a pharoah mask.

Made by Ilyssa Minkus

Ilyssa is a crafting goddess who can make anything out of nothing. She has a natural talent and creates the most beautiful crafts. Ilyssa is a PJ Library mom who lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters.

check out her stuff

click to start craftin'

Passover Lyrics to Frozen songs From Oogiahcrumbs.com

Craft Your Own Seder Plate From Oogiahcrumbs.com

sing your heart out! 52

start creating!

family story time and activities

check out these links!

Have I Got a Story For You!

from PJ Library | click to listen

Get ready for Passover with Have I Got a Story For You! Learn the Passover story, practice the Four Questions, and follow a pirate on an epic afikomen hunt.

Elle and Noah Celebrate Passover

from Elle and Noah | click to purchase

Children will enjoy learning all about Passover with this beautifully illustrated sticker activity book. Bring Passover scenes to life with over 150 stickers, coloring, matching, mazes and more.

My Mushy Matzah Ball by Arianna Brooks | click to purchase

Frustrated by the lack of sweet, Jewish children's books for her two toddlers, Arianna put her quaran-time to good use. Just in time for Passover 2021, My Mushy Matzah Ball is here!

Passover River Ride from PJ Library | click to download

River Ride is a downloadable storybook that tells the story of Passover in ten beautifully illustrated scenes.

Passover Coloring Pages From JewishTogether | click to purchase Marni Goren from JewishTogether has put together seven coloring pages for the family to enjoy! Use code JEWISHFEDERATION for 20% off!

care

soul Sometimes we get a little too caught up in the hustle of the Holidays. We're busy planning every tiny detail. Every morsel of food has to be pictureperfect and every smile documented on social media. Otherwise, it didn't happen, right? Wrong! We're here to remind you that the sanity of you and your loved ones is what's most important. Here are a few tips to keep you and your household balanced and happy during Passover.

mental wellness check-in 54

w r eeks u o f pr to i o 1.

Plan a Serene Passover

By Rivka Caroline for TheJewishWoman.org

Give yourself the priceless gift of sanity this year. Take some time to sit down and visualize your serene house on the day Passover begins. Write down all that needs to be done ahead of time to get there. Plan out your menu.

De-Clutter

Now is the time to be brutal. As you go through your home cleaning for Passover, feel free to throw out or give away items that are just taking up space.

Make a "Perhaps" List

Clearly define what your priorities are, and put them on a definitive to-do list. Then choose your extra credit choices and put them on your “perhaps” list. Yes, you can cheat once in a while, but make sure that whatever has to get done for Passover gets done.

Apply the 80/20 Rule

Identify what 20% of Passover gives you 80% of your stress, you know where the bulk of your proactive work lies.

Make a To-Don't List

10 Steps Toward a More Serene wo weeks p t to Passover ri e

By deciding ahead what you really need to get done, you will also come to see what you won’t have the time and energy for . . . and that’s what your to-don’t list is for.

Be Specific

Now is a crucial time in the Pre-Passover Prep world. By getting the right tasks done now, you will be ahead of the game and closer to your goal of reducing pre-Passover stress.

Get the Children to Help

Rather than calling them to help when you need the help, write a list of items ahead of time that need to get done, and ask them which items they prefer to help with.

Plan Off-the-Radar Meals

Plan the meals that often fall off the radar. We are so focused on what we will be serving at the Seder that we understandably forget to plan for the meals beforehand.

S-M-I-L-E

Make sure to add some things to your list that make you smile.

10.

Liberate Yourself From The Kitchen

Minimize your time in the kitchen and maximize the benefits.

click to view the full article

as a family

Mindful Time By Alise Robinson, MCT

Spending mindful time as a family creates a sense of contentment and connection. The holidays are a great time to begin or deepen an existing mindful family practice. A few engaging family activities to choose from: Set a Family Holiday Intention. Decide as a family what is something you all desire for this special time. Put words to it and send it out to the universe. Write it down and place it somewhere visible. I encourage you to say it together every morning. Take a Nature Walk. Walk together in quiet and "just be" in the moment. Observe the colors, the sounds of nature, the way your body feels as you take one step in front of the other and breathe in the fresh air. Let everything else go. Move to Music. Have a dance party or listen to some classical music, or jazz. Each day someone new in the family gets to choose the genre. And remember if things get a bit hectic, take a mindful moment and model the behavior you desire. I invite you to stop what you are doing, close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths, hands on heart, and encourage everyone else to do the same. Please keep in mind “Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of these things and still find calm in your heart” – unknown.

mental wellness check-in 56

mental wellness check-in

the mental health

seder plate

The Blue Dove Foundation gives us a new perspective on the symbolism of the Seder Plate by establishing the self-care tools we need to keep us engaged with our mental health during Passover.

view full-size

a holistic

passover detox

At The Well's Passover Detox gives you a comprehensive game plan for an intentional Passover, to help you reflect and commit to a week of living more free.

view the pdf

WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE: OJP RAW, REAL AND RELATABLE.

a resource a blog an event source a producer a connector a social feeder a safe parent haven a supportive community an educational space

Orlando Jewish Parent is a vibrant and safe space where parenthood is embraced with knowledge and confidence. Our vision is to create parent support and resources that feel good while leveling up the parenting game by continuing our love for learning. Orlando Jewish Parent (OJP) will infuse Jewish values throughout the content and serve as a giant parent resource for parents of all ages, shapes, and pronouns.

click to be a part of OJP by joining our facebook group