Filling Passover with Soul and Meaning
by Dana Rubin‑Winkelman, MSW, CAPSW, Social Worker, Adult Day Services
I hope you and your family are well. I am thinking of you and sending my positive thoughts. I hope to bridge the distance through this electronic connection.
Passover begins at sundown on April 12 and offers an opportunity to look back at our past, reflect on our present, and think thoughtfully about our future. More than ever, we need an increased awareness of the work needed toward equity, social justice, and discrimination. While these issues are always important, they are especially poignant during Passover, as we remember the Jews’ enslavement and the mass Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Through our seders (the special home service and meal), we retell this story.
For more information about the holiday, click on these websites: Judaism 101 | Pesach: Passover Chabad.org | What Is Passover (Pesach)?
This Touch Points will focus on current topics, and how to meaningfully incorporate them into our Passover ritual. I hope the subjects will resonate with you and provide inspirational conversation. In addition, I hope the delicious food, entertaining music, and creative exercises add joyful layers to your holiday. Rabbi Rick Jacobs states that Passover is a time “we remember the struggle against oppression then and now, and we commit ourselves to continuing to pursue a more just and compassionate world together.” Ideally, my hope is that Passover becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth and a motivation toward Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
“The Exodus from Egypt occurs in every human being, in every era, in every year, and in every day.” (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov)
FILLING PASSOVER WITH SOUL AND MEANING:
1. Add Meaning to Your Seder Plate and Table: The Passover seder is full of symbolism; each item on the seder plate symbolizes the Exodus story. This year, I would encourage you to augment your seder and infuse the holiday with social justice themes and reflective symbolism. Discovering the parallels between the Passover story and the present-day equivalent make the holiday message come alive. What will you add to your seder? Step out of your usual and try these additions and supplemental ideas:
- Miriam’s Cup: This ritual honors women and recognizes and honors Miriam’s contributions to the Exodus. During the seder, share a memory of a woman who made a monumental difference in your life. Reflect on those memories and impact. Click here to learn more and to add a supplemental reading.
2. Invite More Love Into Your Dining Room: To elevate the experience, add treasured family recipes or use ritual objects/dishes passed down. These special touches add meaning, love, and family history to your experience. I am quite sentimental and enjoy using dishes and flatware from people I love. For example, I set our table with my Grandma Dorothy’s (of blessed memory) China and my wonderful mother-in-law’s flatware. These are beautiful reminders of their presence and love. Also, objects can remind us of our legacy. For example, my Mom has the dish my Grandma Mildred served her homemade chrain (Yiddish for horseradish). Hearing my Mother share the memory of her Mother making this Passover delicacy fills me with profound gratitude for my family and our Jewish history. What recipe or dish will you put on your holiday table to add meaning? I would love to hear how and why this elevates your experience.
“The seder nights… tie me with the centuries before me.” (Ludwig Frank)
3. Mix It Up With These Passover Menu Ideas: Are you looking for something new this year? Trying new things can be fun, delicious, and good for your brain health! Check out the ideas below- Yum!
- Jaime Geller’s Vegan Passover Menu: Even if you are not vegan, Passover is a perfect time to add more veggies to your diet. Click here for the recipe .
- Loaded Baked Potato: I am always looking for a quick, easy idea. Here is one for lunch, dinner, or anytime. Click here for the recipe .
- 25 Super Easy Passover Recipes: From seder mains to quick desserts- they have it covered! Click here for the recipes .
- Passover Matzah Tiramisu: Truth be told, tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts, so I am quite intrigued by this scrumptious idea! Give it a go, and let me know what you think. What is your favorite Passover dessert? Please share! Click here for the recipe .
“When you eat food with your family and friends, it always tastes better.” (author unknown)
4. Boost Your Brain Health and Wellness: Did you know that even healthy people need to work on strengthening brain health? Support health and wellness with the following thought-provoking Passover exercises:
- Create a Story: Explore your creativity and think outside the box. Use the following Passover-themed words to create a story: Spring, holiday, retelling, liberation, slaves, eggs, matzah, wine, cleaning, Moses, seder, four sons, ten plagues, pharaoh, salt water, Egypt, songs, Miriam, Mt. Sinai.
5 – Music With a Passover Theme: I include music in Touch Points not only because we appreciate it but because music offers remarkable benefits. “Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, block pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.” (John Hopkins)
So, feel good as you listen to the varied holiday selections below.
- “Matzah Mia- An ABBA Passover” by Six13: This is a fabulously joyful melody, especially for anyone who loves ABBA’s music. Sing along! Click here for the (3-minute) video .
- “Mah Nishtana” by Elana Jagoda- Get ready to rock your seder with this beautiful rendition. Click here for the (4-minute) audio .
- “Matzoh Ball (Don’t Kick It)” by The Macaroons : Have fun with this unexpectedly creative rocking matzah ball story and animation. Click here for the (2-minute) clip .
6. Stand With Israel- Speak Out Against Anti-Israel and Jewish Hate: As we celebrate Passover and its themes of freedom, let us remember the hostages that are still in bondage. We continue to pray for their safe return, as we stand with Israel. Bring Israel into your thoughts with this prayer by The Maccabeats: Avinu Shebashamayim – A Prayer for the Welfare for the State of Israel . Actor David Schwimmer said, “You don’t have to say anything political; no one’s asking you to solve the conflict in the Middle East. Just say that you stand with your Jewish friends, colleagues, and neighbors against hatred and discrimination.”
“The message of Passover remains as powerful as ever. Freedom is won not on the battlefield but in the classroom and the home. Teach your children the history of freedom if you want them never to lose it.” (Rabbi Shimon Raichik)
Happy Passover! Wishing you and your family a joyous, meaningful Passover. Do you have a question related to aging, memory loss, community resources, or caregiving? I am here and happy to assist! Please do not hesitate to contact me .
Thinking of you and sending all my positive energy, light, and love,
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