Pour your first glass of wine, lift it up, say the Kiddush, and drink—leaning to the left (because, you know, we’re fancy).

Wine is central to every Jewish celebration, from holidays to weddings. Not only is it a symbol of joy, but—let’s be honest—it also helps increase that joy. And don’t worry, this is just the beginning—there are three more cups to go!

We wash our hands twice during the Seder. The first time is a symbolic cleansing before diving into this powerful experience.

Traditional hand-washing 101:

• Fill a large cup with water.
• Pour it three times over your right hand.
• Switch hands and repeat for the left hand.
• Dry your hands and recite the blessing.

Boom! You’re officially ready for the Seder.

Now, we dip a green vegetable (like parsley) into salt water.

The greens = Spring and renewal 

The saltwater = The tears and sweat of our ancestors 

Pro tip: Place several small bowls of greens and salt water around the table so no one has to wait forever to get their dipped veggies.

Time for a little drama! Grab the plate of three matzot, lift up the middle one, and break it in half.

• Take the larger half, wrap it in a napkin, and hide it—this becomes the afikomen (dessert, but make it Passover).
• Let the kids know: "You can’t finish the Seder without it!"
• Later, an adult will steal and hide the afikomen—cue the ultimate scavenger hunt after dinner. (More on that in Step 11!)

This is the heart of the Seder—the story of how the Jewish people went from slavery to freedom.

But let’s shake things up! Instead of just reading the story, why not act it out? Check out JewBelong’s skit: What If God Hadn’t Taken Our Ancestors Out of Egypt? Guaranteed to keep things engaging (and maybe a little hilarious).

This time, we wash our hands with a blessing—but here’s the catch:

No talking between washing and eating the matzah!

Silence = respect for the mitzvah.

Even though we don’t eat bread on Passover, we still say HaMotzi, the blessing over bread. Why? Because tradition!

Then, we add a special blessing for eating matzah, fulfilling the commandment of the holiday.

Now we grab some horseradish (aka: the spicy stuff) and put it on matzah.

• Why? To remind us of the bitterness of slavery.
• Why extra bowls? So no one has to wait 10 minutes to get their turn!

Take a bite—but be warned, this one might clear your sinuses.

You’ve heard of the Earl of Sandwich, but meet Hillel—the OG sandwich inventor (2,000 years before PB&J).

He combined matzah, paschal lamb, and bitter herbs to fulfill the Torah’s commandment. Today, we make a Passover sandwich with matzah, charoset, and bitter herbs instead.

Some say a blessing before eating it, but most people just build it and bite in!

Time to feast!

A classic Seder meal usually starts with an egg dipped in salt water, symbolizing the cycle of life and renewal. Then, it’s on to whatever delicious Passover-approved dishes your family serves.

Remember the afikomen from Step 4? Now it’s go time!

The kids search for it.

The Seder can’t end until it’s found.

Prizes are involved (bribery works, people).

We break the afikomen into 30 pieces so every kid finds some—avoiding tears, tantrums, and sibling showdowns.

For those who went to Jewish camp, benching (aka Grace After Meals) is a throwback moment. The tune is catchy, uplifting, and a great way to wrap up the meal.

Fun fact: Benching comes from the Yiddish term bentshn, meaning "to bless."

A Seder isn’t complete without some joyful, slightly chaotic singing. The JewBelong Haggadah includes classics like Chad Gadya and the fun, call-and-response song Echad Mi Yodea.

Prepare for spirited participation—especially if there’s leftover wine.

At the end of the Seder, we say: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

Literal meaning? Maybe next year we’ll celebrate in Jerusalem—how cool would that be?

Symbolic meaning? Jerusalem represents peace, hope, and a better future—wherever that may be.

No need to turn this into a big political debate—just take a moment to reflect on freedom, community, and what truly matters.