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March 20,2018

Our Ever-Growing List of Seder Plate Additions

Posted by Haggadot

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Most of us know about the orange, Miriam's Cup, and even a beet in place of a shankbone for vegetarian-friendly seders. But have you heard about the pine cone, the coconut or the banana? Here's our growing list of every seder plate addition that we've seen on the site. 

A Second Seder Plate 
Why have just one? This year, Jewish World Watch asks us to consider the plight of over 65 million displaced persons around the world with their #SecondSederPlate activity guide.

A Chili Pepper
This fantastic Jewish Mexican Haggadah encourages us to add the pepper to "honor the abuelas, the bisabuelas, the chignonas, the curandras, and the other femme Moshes, Miriams, Tziporahs and Aarons in our lives who taught us who we are..."  

A Pine Cone
Temple Israel of Boston invites us to remember the mass incarceration crisis in America. 

An Artichoke
Interfaith Family notes, "Jewish people have been thorny about this question of interfaith marriage" and has chosen an artichoke to spark conversation towards inclusiveness at our seder tables.

An Oyster
Kosher? No! But it is a great conversation starter about our reliance on oil and the effects of drilling.

An Olive
Olive branches are traditionally known as a symbol of peace, so this author reminds us "we are not free until there is peace in our homes, our community and in our world"

Coconut & Fruit Salad
JQ International has a full LGBTQ Haggadah with a seder plate that includes a coconut for those "still in the closet and their struggle in coming out" and fruit salad for "our collective potential and recognition"

Pineapple
This author asks us to be mindful of depression and anxiety that reside within us, adding "May the source of all deliver all who suffer from their own personal Mitzrayim (narrow places)"

Bitter Chocolate
Some host Chocolate seders to entertain the kids, while others eat fair-trade chocolate to honor workers' struggles. In their "Revenge of Dinah" haggadah, a group of activist teens have created a Bitter Chocolate Ritual for us to consider the pervasiveness of rape culture in our Jewish communities. 

Ruth's Cup
Many consider Ruth to be the original convert and model for the diversity in Jewish life. To honor her and represent an inclusive vision of Judaism, some have added a new cup to the table rituals. 

A Banana
Religious Action Center also asks us to consider the refugee crisis, this time with a banana, considered a luxury in war-torn Syria. 

A Tomato
Those who stand in solidarity with workers' rights issues ask us to add the tomato to consider the struggles of farm workers. 

Ready to get creative at your seder? Try our Alternative Seder Plate Activity to draw your own symbols on the plate. And for something completely different, try The Science Seder Plate. It's a great coloring activity with science facts about the traditional seder symbols. We LOVE it!

Do you have a new symbol on the seder plate that you'd like to share? Let us know! Post it to the site, or email us at [email protected]