A SHORT & SWEET
PREPARING FOR THE SEDER
There’s no right or wrong way to hold a Seder, and no ideal length, either! All you need are the ritual essentials to make your Passover meaningful and memorable.
RITUAL ITEMS
Haggadah (Guide Book & Roadmap for the Seder)
Pillows
Seder Plate
Matzah Holder
Kiddush Cups
Afikomen Holder
Cup for Elijah Candles & Candlesticks
FOOD AND DRINK
Wine and/or Grape Juice
Matzah
Parsley/Celery (Karpas)
Horseradish (Maror)
Shank Bone
Charoset
Eggs
Kosher Salt
LET THE SEDER BEGIN!
EXTRAS (FOR FUN)
Props for the Ten Plagues
Prizes for the Afikomen
Leader: Shalom! Thank you for joining us tonight to tell the story of the Exodus and celebrate the strength and resilience of the Jewish people. We’ll use this Short & Sweet Seder guide created by Birthright Israel Foundation. Together, we’ll walk through the Seder — from Kiddush to Matzah, from Plagues to Dayenu. Let’s begin!
THE FIRST CUP OF WINE
Leader: Blessed is the maker of the fruit of the vine.
Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, boreh p’ri hagafen.
Thank you, G-d, for giving us joyous festivals like Passover, a sacred time to remember the Exodus and celebrate freedom.
SHEHECHEYANU
Leader: Let us thank G-d for bringing us together to celebrate tonight.
Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-hechiyanu, v’kimanu, v’heegianu, la’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, G-d, who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this occasion.
THE FOUR QUESTIONS
Leader: The youngest among us, or a volunteer, please read the four questions.
All:
Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilot?
On all other nights, we eat chametz and matzah. Why, on this night, only matzah?
Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin hametz umatzah; halailah hazeh [x2], kuloh matzah. [x2]
On all other nights, we eat all vegetables. Why, on this night, maror (bitter herbs)?
Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin sh’ar y’rakot; halailah hazeh [x2], kulo maror [x2]
To remember the bitterness of slavery. Maror reminds us of the pain and hardship our ancestors endured in Egypt.
On all other nights, we don’t dip even once. Why, on this night, do we dip twice?
First, we dip karpas in salt water to symbolize spring and the tears of our ancestors. Then, we dip bitter herbs in sweet charoset to remind us that even in bitterness, there is hope and resilience.
On all other nights, we eat either sitting upright or reclining. Why, on this night, do we all recline?
Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin; halailah hazeh [x2], kulanu m’subin [x2]
Tonight, we recline because we are no longer slaves we are free.
THE MEANING OF THE SEDER PLATE
Leader: The Seder plate holds power ful symbolism, inviting us to taste, smell, and feel our journey to freedom. Here’s what each item represents.
Hard-boiled Egg
renewal, hope, and the cycle of life
Karpas (a green vegetable, ex. parsley)
the freshness of spring and tears shed in slavery
Hazaret
(a bitter herb, ex romaine lettuce)
slavery in Egypt
Maror (a bitter herb, ex. horseradish)
the harsh realities faced by our ancestors
Shank Bone
the Passover sacrifice G-d’s protection
Charoset (a sweet mixture of fruits, nuts, and wine)
the mortar of slavery and the sweetness of freedom
THE PASSOVER STORY
Leader: A long, long time ago, Pharaoh became afraid of the Israelites because they were growing in number and strength. To control them, he made them slaves — and then gave a terrible order: every baby boy born to the Israelites must be drowned in the Nile. But Pharaoh’s daughter, Batya, didn’t agree. One day, she found a baby floating in a basket in the river and decided to rescue him. She named him Moses and raised him as her own.
When Moses grew up and learned the truth about his people, he ran away into the desert. There, G-d spoke to him through a burning bush and told him to return to Egypt and free the Israelites. Though scared, Moses obeyed. He went to Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!” But Pharaoh refused. To convince Pharaoh, G-d sent ten terrible plagues upon Egypt — turning water to blood, sending frogs, lice, wild beasts, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and more. Finally, the tenth plague — the death of the Egyptian firstborns — broke Pharaoh’s will. He agreed to let the Israelites leave.
The Israelites packed in a hurry, with no time to let their dough rise. They baked flat, cracker-like bread called matzah. As they reached the Red Sea, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after them. But G-d parted the sea, creating a dry path for the Israelites. They crossed safely — and when the Egyptians followed, the waters crashed back down. The Israelites were free at last!
NOW, THE SECOND AND THIRD CUPS OF WINE
Leader: Like on Birthright Israel trips, sometimes you must hurry from one destination to the next. Here, let’s hurry from one glass of wine to another.
All: Blessed is the maker of the fruit of the vine.
Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, boreh p’ri hagafen.
Thank you, G-d, for giving us joyous festivals like Passover, a sacred time to remember the Exodus and celebrate freedom.
THE 10 PLAGUES 10 OF EGYPT
Leader: Now, if everyone can take a drop of wine from their cups as we say each of the ten plagues.
BLESSING OF THE MATZAH
Leader: Now that we’ve heard the symbolism of the Seder plate and asked the four questions, we will say the blessing over the matzah.
All: Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His laws and commanded us to eat matzah.
Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat matzah.
THE FOURTH CUP OF WINE THE FOURTH CUP OF WINE
Leader: Now that we have told the Passover story and blessed the matzah, let us have the fourth glass of wine to celebrate our freedom.
All: Blessed is the maker of the fruit of the vine. Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, boreh p’ri hagafen.
Thank you, G-d, for giving us joyous festivals like Passover, a sacred time to remember the Exodus and celebrate freedom.
NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM: THE FIFTH CUP OF WINE CUP
Leader: Before we begin Dayenu, it is important to celebrate the gift of modern-day Israel and the birthright of the Jewish people. As our Seder concludes, let us be reminded not to take our heritage, homeland or community for granted. May we stand tall as proud Jews. Let’s end the Seder by drinking another glass of wine and together say:
All: Li-shanah haba’ah bi-rushalayim ha-bnu-yah! Next year in Jerusalem!
DAYENU DAYENU
All: Ilu hotsi, hotsi-anu, Ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim, Ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim, Da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu,
Na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah, Na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah, Da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu, Na-tan la-nu et Yahushua
Na-tan la-nu et Yahushua, Da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu x3
Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
Dai, da-ye-nu, x3
Dayenu means “It would have been enough.” It’s a joyful, grateful list of all the things G-d did for the Israelites — each one a blessing on its own. If G-d had only taken us out of Egypt, Dayenu. If G-d had only given us the Torah, Dayenu. If G-d had only brought us to the land of Israel, Dayenu. This song teaches us that even when the journey is hard, there is still so much to be thankful for. It reminds us to recognize each step forward, each act of kindness, each moment of freedom — as a gift.
LET’S TALK!
The story of Passover can inspire great conversation. These questions are meant to get everyone at the table thinking, sharing, and connecting. There are no right or wrong answers — just your thoughts, feelings, and imagination. So, pass the matzah, take a bite, and let’s talk!
Why do we retell the story of the Exodus year after year? What do you think it teaches us about freedom, resilience, or who we are?
If you had been there during the Exodus, what would you have packed? You’re leaving in a hurry — what’s one meaningful thing you’d take with you?
What do you think gave Moses the strength to go back and face Pharaoh? What helps you do hard or brave things?
What’s something you’re grateful for this year? What makes you feel lucky, joyful, or especially thankful right now?
Tell us about a journey that changed you. Maybe it was Birthright Israel — or something else. What did you discover along the way?
How can you use your voice to stand up for what’s right? Moses found the courage to speak out. How can you use your voice to help yourself or others?
Who is someone — past or present — you see as a hero? Who’s inspired you by making the world more free, kind, or just?
What are some “modern-day plagues” the world faces today? And what’s one small way we might help bring healing?
What does it mean to leave your own “Egypt”? We all have something we hope to move beyond. What’s yours?
“Next year in Jerusalem” is a message of hope and possibility. What’s one dream — for yourself, your family, the Jewish people, or the world — that you hope comes true?
THE GENERATIONAL IMPACT OF BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL
We hear it all the time: “Birthright Israel changed my life.” But how do we measure impact beyond anecdotes? That’s where the Jewish Futures Project (JFP) comes in. Since 2009, Brandeis University researchers have tracked our alumni, comparing them to peers who applied but didn’t go on a Birthright Israel trip. The latest groundbreaking research demonstrates that Birthright Israel doesn’t just change lives—it strengthens Jewish identity for generations. Alumni live Jewish lives and pass that connection to their children. With 900,000 alumni, the ripple effect is extraordinary. Investing in one young adult means investing in the Jewish future.
ONE TRIP CREATES CONNECTION. ONE TRIP FUELS JEWISH IDENTITY. ONE TRIP AWAKENS MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY. ONE TRIP DELIVERS FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE.
74%
10x
57%
of Birthright Israel participants feel very connected to Israel after their trip. A 40% increase from pre-trip (53%)
Between April and December 2025, the increase in connection to Israel among Birthright Israel participants was 10x higher than among nonparticipants.
of Birthright Israel participants feel being Jewish is extremely important to their identity, a 46% increase after their trip.
of Birthright Israel participants feel very connected to Jewish values. 72%
56%
of Birthright Israel participants feel a deep sense of communal responsibility, strongly agreeing that Jews have a duty to support one another, a 27% increase following their trip.
41%
of Birthright Israel participants strongly agree that they have a responsibility to contribute to Israel’s betterment, a 14% increase following their trip.
70%
76%
of Birthright Israel participants feel a stronger connection to the worldwide Jewish community after returning from their trip.
of Birthright Israel participants found the simple act of being part of a Jewish group to be deeply meaningful.
