Many of the ceremonial foods on the Passover table are steeped in symbolism. The k'arah, or ceremonial plate, is the centerpiece of the seder table and holds ritual foods.
The night the Israelites were liberated from slavery in Egypt, they ate a meal that consisted of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. Since then, Jews have held ceremonial meals on the first two nights of Passover. We've put together four menus to help you plan your Passover celebration.
In addition to displaying the main seder plate, incorporate some of the symbolic foods of Passover into individual place settings. (Carafes of wine can double as place card holders.) With everything in reach, guests will have what they need during the reading of the Haggadah, keeping the passing of the seder plate -- and the risk of spills at the table -- to a minimum.
If you plan to ask guests to read from the Haggadah, consider incorporating the book of prayers and stories into every setting. We covered each book in a sheet of decorative paper and a layer of blue vellum to coordinate with the dishes. Then, we used silk cord to bundle it with the napkin. Self-adhesive labels let the books double as place cards.
Make a personalized matzo cover and a bag for the afikomen (the symbolic broken piece of matzo that is hidden during the meal) from monogrammed handkerchiefs.
This matzo house makes a wonderful addition to any Seder table.
Dress your table for Passover with one of our spring centerpieces.
This handmade cover for the Passover seder matzo will become a family keepsake, handed down from one generation to the next. Made from a simple cloth napkin or a large handkerchief, it becomes a meaningful heirloom when it is embellished with mementos.
If you're expecting numerous guests for the holiday dinner and have only one seder plate, create one or two extras so everyone around the table can participate. Arrange five elegant saucers or small bowls on a large plate that matches them, and then use the small dishes to display each of the symbolic foods.
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