Passover

Passover Music
There are a lot of ways to bring the sounds of the seder into your home this year, no matter how you are celebrating!

This collection of Seder Songs from Transcontinental Music is available as a digital download, and even includes a recording of Rabbi Chaiken’s version of Eliyahu Hanavi!

This page from the Union for Reform Judaism discusses and links to music to certain key passages from the Hagaddah, as does this page from My Jewish Learning.

And for those who use Spotify, you can find many, many playlists there as well! Try this one from PJ Library for all ages , or this one from the URJ for adults! You can also search for “Passover” and explore playlists that way!

Catered Passover Meals
Now If you are not a cook, here are some links to places in Los Angeles that are making and selling Passover meals.

In the City:
Canter's Deli – Not Kosher

Kensington Caterers - not kosher - take out and food delivery
Leider‘s- LAPESACH – Glatt Kosher for Passover
Blacktie catering – Glatt Kosher for Passover

In the Valley:
Art's Deli – Not Kosher
Brent’s Deli – Not Kosher
LA Kosher Catering – This is kosher

 

If you cook or want to try your hand at cooking, here are some great Passover recipes!
Charoset – Asheknazi style
Charoset – Sephardic Style
Charoset – Mizrachi Style
Desert recipe – Matzah Crack!

Everything from soup to dessert: Menus and meals for Passover week:
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/g4062/passover-recipes/
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/passover-recipes/

 

Don’t forget to get Matzah. Be sure it is Matzah for Passover. Most major markets are amply stocked with Matzah including Trader Joe’s, Ralph’s, Von’s Pavilions, Whole Foods and Gelson’s.  

 

 

The Seder Plate?

As you know the Seder plate has special ingredients. It is not the plate itself that matters; it is what is on the plate. So, don’t fret if you don’t have a specially decorated Seder plate.

Roasted Egg - Beitzah: This is a reminder of the holiday special sacrifice in the ancient temple which was always an egg. This can be and should be a hard-boiled egg that you put in the over for a few minutes. (Don’t leave it in there as it will explode if left too long!)

Roasted Lamb Shank Bone - Z’roah: This is to represent God’s mighty arm that rescued us from Egypt. It also is a reminder of the lamb that was sacrificed as the Passover offering and the lamb/ram’s blood that was put on the doorpost of the Israelite homes to protect them from the final plague. If you can find a fresh or frozen lamb shank bone at the store or butcher — roast it in the oven for at least 30 minutes. You don’t need the whole lamb shank with meat… only the bone. If you can’t find a lamb shank-some family use a chicken leg bone or chicken neck. Others will use a roasted beet as a substitute since it also will leave red marks like the blood on the door posts.

Greens - Karpas: This is traditionally parsley, used to signify the aspect of Passover that celebrates the Springtime. You can use any green vegetable or herb available. Some use celery. Others green onions/scallions. Some fresh cilantro, or sage. In Eastern Europe, greens weren’t always available, so they often used a potato.

Bitter Herb - Maror: Most people use horseradish. This can be in root form or already shredded and processed (Red or white) out of the jar. Try a non-traditional bitter herb like wasabi (if you eat kitniyot—soy is kitniyot).

Saltwater: This is symbolic of the tears of the Israelites in bondage, the salty sea that the Israelite crossed. Take a cup or bowl of water. Add copious amounts of salt. This is used for dipping the greens.

Charoset: Fruit and nut mixture to remind us of the mortar used for building the fortified cities the Israelites had to build for the Egyptians. Ashkenazic recipes often use nuts and apples and sweet kosher wine and cinnamon. Sephardic and Mizrachi recipes use dates, figs, pomegranate juice and seeds, oranges, sweet red kosher wine, and many other ingredients depending on location. See recipes above.

Lettuce or Chazeret: Some Seder plates have a place for Chazeret which is traditionally Romaine lettuce. There is a debate in the Talmud about what was the true bitter herb. The lettuce is used as part of the Hillel Sandwich (Matzah, Charoset and bitter herb). Try using endive for a charoset lettuce cup!

Most of all have fun. We need to remember the message of Passover this year more than ever. Redemption and freedom came to our ancestors who were enslaved in Egypt. Redemption and freedom will one day soon come to each of us and we will once again be able to freely go about our lives in health and well-being. When we say at the end of the Passover Seder, “Next year in Jerusalem," remember Jerusalem is not only a physical place, the eternal capital of the Jewish people, but Jerusalem is also a spiritual ideal of hope, perfection, well-being, and peace.