I'm in the hot water heater club, although like "ATM machine" and "VIN number," I've mostly trained myself not to say it.

blackberry margaritas made with fresh berries, orange juice, hot peppers, and booze

I don't know, Laura. That there sounds like it might be the key to health.

Shir, I'm good for now, but thanks for the offer.

I'll have to get one. And understand how to make it vegan.

The usual suggestion I've seen is a beet instead of the shank bone, and either a small white eggplant or a wooden egg from a craft store in place of the egg. The beet can be roasted to symbolize the Temple sacrifice, plus roasting it makes it drip red juices, which kind of adds to the whole bloody symbolism thing.

I saw a suggestion this year to add Ruth's Cup to symbolize welcoming converts. That's in addition to Miriam's Cup. And Elijah's Cup, of course. And I think there was one other cup. We might be getting to the point of too many symbolic foods and cups.

I'm going to my aunt and uncle's, and they're Orthodox, so it's entirely the traditional seder.

The friend who has hosted seder for the past many years has moved to Las Vegas so I don't think I will partake this year. I should have flown out there and surprised her. Oh well, maybe next year.

Is "Next year in Las Vegas" the new "Next year in Jerusalem"?

That was my thought as well!

It is kinda odd since I am not Jewish, but my closest local friend for the last 15 years was so I was always invited to her celebrations and she and her family would come to my Christmas gathering. Now her mom has died, son moved to Philly, and she moved to Vegas. So our traditions are all askew.

Wow, Shir. I hadn't really thought that through. A church I used to attend did one every year, but I kind of felt all culturally misappropriate so it made me uncomfortable. It's one of the reasons we stopped going there. I know they didn't have the same focus, nor did they make sure everything was clean or kosher. I like the sound of yours. Queer, feminist, freedom, social responsibility... I want to attend yours. Though not Jewish, also not likely to check the closet floors.

Cindy, I am pretty good on the ATM, but I haven't been able to break myself of VIN number.

The usual suggestion I've seen is a beet instead of the shank bone, and either a small white eggplant or a wooden egg from a craft store in place of the egg. The beet can be roasted to symbolize the Temple sacrifice, plus roasting it makes it drip red juices, which kind of adds to the whole bloody symbolism thing.

The beet, right! I heard of it as "sheistalku tzarotienu" (may our woes/troubles be vanished. A wordplay in Hebrew, for selek (beet) and "lesalek" (begone/vanish). Wordplay is strong in Passover's Haggadah). For the egg I have the combination of some rice in the shape of an egg with a ball of yellow rice inside, to resemble the yolk.

I saw a suggestion this year to add Ruth's Cup to symbolize welcoming converts. That's in addition to Miriam's Cup. And Elijah's Cup, of course. And I think there was one other cup. We might be getting to the point of too many symbolic foods and cups.

In my version of the Haggadah, first cup is a cup to freedom, second for the act of Exodus (symbolical/metaphorical as wanted), third for social justice and responsibility, fourth for community and the ties and bonds we'd like to strengthen/establish. I change the text according to what happened in that year.

Good luck with your Seder, Hil.

Is "Next year in Las Vegas" the new "Next year in Jerusalem"?

It is excellent.

Deena, you are always invited to have the Seder with me.

And now, srarting to arrange things and my place for the Seder. *gulp*

May the odds be ever in sanity's favor.