How to Host a Chocolate Passover Seder

Mah Nishtanah haPesach hazeh mikol haPesachim? Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers?

At this glorious time of year when we shift from winter to spring and recognize the torment and ultimate triumphs of our ancient Jewish ancestors, why not add a twist to tradition and celebrate the Passover holiday with one of God’s true miracles... chocolate?

Once the idea crossed my path, I knew that a chocolate Passover seder was the perfect activity for the sisterhood at B’nai Israel Southbury. What gathering could be more appealing than an event, steeped in tradition and smothered in fudge? I was all in and ready to plan.

Thank goodness for Google and Pinterest. Seriously. The best ideas are shared and, boy, did I delight in and take advantage of those I discovered online. I found a clever chocolate haggadah that I tweaked to my own tastes, ideas for creating a chocolate seder plate and what to use for the different symbols, party favor ideas, and décor suggestions. It was easy, fun, and ended up being a hit for all who participated. 

This was an event that we advertised as sisterhood sponsored but open to the entire congregation. Young and old alike joined us and everyone participated as we went around the large table and read aloud from our chocolate haggadah. 

At the start of the evening, everyone in attendance grabbed their own plate and loaded up on what they would need to participate in the seder. We set out an example plate that included:

• Karpas: A strawberry
• Beytzah: Chocolate eggs
• Charoset: A chocolate frosting mix that included marshmallows and chocolate chips
• Maror: Bittersweet chocolate chips
• Shank Bone: A chocolate-dipped pretzel rod
• Salt Water: U-Bet chocolate syrup

Attendees also filled their wine cups with a choice of either red wine, a chocolate cordial or chocolate milk. Of course our seder table was equipped with the traditional three chocolate matzot!

In addition to the items for the seder plate, the event was enhanced by many different chocolate baked goods. This was not a kosher for Passover event - we had brownies, mandel bread, chocolate cheesecake, and more. At our upcoming seder we will be adding to the festivities with a chocolate fountain to dip goodies such as marshmallows, pretzels and fruit.

Our haggadah was a blast. Moses parted the chocolate sea, the four questions revolved around chocolate loving sons and the plagues included fat, cavities, pimples, and indigestion. The children searched for the (chocolate) afikoman, we let Elijah in to drink from his chocolate milk and sang "Take Me Out to the Seder" to the tune of, you guessed it, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Ending on a sweet and practical note, we sent all of our seder attendees home with a goody bag filled with:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste (both donated by a local dentist)
• Pepto Bismol, and…
• A “Happy Passover” chocolate bar

As we constantly strive to make our sisterhood events current, relevant, educational and fun, this chocolate seder truly checks all the boxes. As you drink from your four cups of chocolate milk this year, we wish you a chag sameach.