Passover is the superbowl of gatherings in the Jewish religion. It’s such an important occasion that even gather guru Priya Parker shaped her core principle of “purpose” around it by inviting anyone planning a gathering to ask themselves the question modeled after the Four Questions: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” 

This year, I’m hosting my very first Passover seder. With this opportunity upon me, I feel a deep responsibility to create an experience which invites my guests into deeper relationship with the rituals and traditions of this important holiday, and most importantly, in deeper connection with one another.

Icebreakers and creative ritual interpretations are one way to get there. However, I keep returning to four foundational lenses that I believe have the opportunity to shape the entire experience from the ground up: purpose, atmosphere, shared norms, and reflection. Whether you are planning your first seder or your fiftieth, these elements transform a gathering from something you host into something your guests truly feel a part of and feel empowered to contribute to. When we design with these in mind, we create a space where every guest feels a sense of belonging and leave with something meaningful to carry forward.

Purpose: Why is this night different from all other nights? 

How does the purpose of your gathering shape the entire experience?

Priya Parker built her entire philosophy of gathering around one of the four questions that we are invited to ask every seder: What is the purpose of your gathering? It’s the ultimate articulation of intentional hosting: before anything else, know why you’re gathering. 

Here’s my litmus test: if you cannot articulate the purpose of your gathering, that gathering could be an email. Passover deserves more than that, and more........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)