Usually we have a gathering.

Last year, I held a Seder that fell on Shabbat. I asked guests to bring their Shabbat candlesticks. Some guests had not lit Shabbat candles ... "in a while". Others did not have candlesticks, so were lent some.

My favorite memory from the night is the "picture" I have in my head of it: the faces of some of my favorite people, and their significant others, lit up in a warm glow.  All the stress of preparing fell away--The element in my oven had lit on fire the day before. Yes, really!--and we were THERE. Telling the story. Tackling some questions. Being vulnerable.

But I think you already know the punchline: "Not this year!"

I don't promise inspiration. Though, a friendly warning: I will sing! But it remains true: video chat can't NOT be awkward--and this applies for ALL video chats.

So before the Seder begins, here are a few things you should (/can) can gather in advance:

- Matzah. If you don't have matzah, you don't have matzah. But if you have 30 minutes, plus some flour and water, you can make some. (I've included some videos of two approaches.) If that's too much, and it may be, please enjoy "digital matzah". I've tried to offer some substitutes for items on the seder plate, but I don't *think* there is one for matzah!

- Wine. Or juice.

- Any items that are on the traditional Seder plate (see the section, below). You can add extras. You can come up with your own substitutes by looking at the meaning attributed to the food, and see what foodstuff you could use instead. But use this rule: If you don't have it, you don't have it.

REMEMBER: whether this is your very first Seder or you are attending because I'm your friend, you're Jewish, and you have to "do the thing", better that you are "here" than not-here. It's OK to come unprepared. Really, it's on point.

And if you need more words of encouragement, here's a full article on the subject: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/go-ahead-have-a-shvach-seder/


haggadah Section: Introduction