Tips from Rebecca Mayer, Managing Director of Communal Engagement at Yachad
After weeks of cleaning, shopping, and cooking, it’s finally Seder night. Your table is set, and before long your guests will arrive — including one with a disability. For guidance on making the Seder a truly inclusive experience where everyone feels welcome, we spoke with Yachad’s Managing Director of Communal Engagement Rebecca Mayer. “Seders can be large, long, and a significant step out of one’s routine, with unfamiliar rituals and foods,” she says. “Keeping guests of all abilities and backgrounds engaged can be challenging. One of my favorite parts of the Seder is when we recite Ha Lachma Anya and welcome all to come eat with us and experience the Seder together.”
Mayer says that with a bit of preparation and some minor adjustments, we can make the Seder experience come alive for everyone at the table.
What are some simple adjustments hosts can make to the structure of the Seder so that people with cognitive disabilities can follow along and feel actively involved rather than just observing?
- Make a schedule, share it with everyone in advance, and refer back to it throughout the night. This includes specifying which Haggadah you’ll be using, so people can familiarize themselves with it ahead of time. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety, and gives context and benchmarks so that everyone can be on the same page — literally and figuratively.
- The objective is for each person at the Seder to feel that it is theirs; something they are helping to create and that gives them a sense of purpose. Assigning roles to each participant gives everyone a feeling of ownership and investment. Everyone should play a part and contribute in a personal and meaningful way, whether by leading a song, preparing or serving a dish, sharing an insight about a part of the Seder, crafting table decorations, or reading a section of the Haggadah out loud.
- Breaking down the Seder into smaller, bite-sized tasks enables participants to experience ongoing accomplishments, making them more likely to want to engage in next steps.
- Make the night interactive. Use visual aids, puppets, or props during Maggid; include tactile items such as building blocks for constructing pyramids; and incorporate movement by acting out the plagues or adding motions to the songs.
For those with sensory issues or food aversions, how can hosts create a comfortable experience for guests who may struggle with loud noises, textures, tastes, or smells?
Having a designated quiet space that everyone knows about in advance can help reduce anxiety and provide an opportunity to reset when someone needs a break. Asking guests about allergies and food preferences ahead of time helps people feel seen and valued, and normalizes the reality that not everyone enjoys every food or smell.
For guests with visual or hearing impairments, what are some resources that hosts can refer to to make the Seder more accessible?
While there are Haggadahs in large print and braille, as well as a booklet featuring the symbols of the Seder in Sign Language issued by Our Way-Yachad, I especially love using visuals, because everyone at the table gains when the story is brought to life through pictures. Many people with disabilities think visually and connect easily to symbols and images, which help hold attention and provide context, clarity, and focus.
Rebecca Mayer, MSW, is the Managing Director of Communal Engagement at Yachad, where she oversees programs across the United States, Israel, and Toronto. In her 16 years at Yachad, Rebecca has held a range of leadership roles, including Director of Talent Development and Volunteer Engagement, Director of Yachad New York, Director of Yad B’Yad, and Director of Informal Education.