We all know that COVID played havoc with Passover seders. No need to repeat all of the make-dos needed in 2020, 2021 and even 2022.

But the thought was that 2023 would be different, that it would be like 2019, or 2018, or even 1965. For those of you who remember my post on this blog on April 7, 2023 (that’s a joke!), you know that our 2023 seders did not turn out as planned. A reprise: Hannah’s family was to fly to Massachusetts to be with Andrew’s parents, but then 2 year old Izzy got sick, and Hannah and Izzy had to remain at home and go seder-less. In the meantime, Edie got sick three days before Passover and I started to feel ill the day before Passover, so we cancelled the first night seder that we were going to hold for Michelle’s family, and assorted other relatives and friends. Edie and I streamed the Adas Israel community seder which (at least for streaming, did not give us a seder experience). The next morning, however, both of us felt well enough to host a seder, Michelle’s family agreed to come, Edie prepared everything in a day, the seder was held, all enjoyed themselves and no one else got sick.

My blog ended with a promise that next year (i.e., this year, 2024) all would return to normalcy.

Not so fast, Arthur.

Because of our advancing ages (or should I say advanced ages?), it was agreed that no seders this year would be at our house, and that Hannah would host both (Michelle and family moved into their new house 3 days ago, and certainly was not seder-ready). Edie was to make dessert, and I had no assignments whatsoever.

We were surprised when our phone rang a little before 7 yesterday morning, with the news that Andrew didn’t feel well and had a slight fever, and Hannah’s seder was off.

So once again, the Hessel house (i.e., Edie) went into action to prepare a seder meal for a smaller crowd – for a total of only 5. My role was as a wing man only – two grocery stores, one wine store, a fish market, pick up one of our guests, assisting at home when asked, and oh yes, buying a new food processor because our Pesach processor just conked out.

At 6:30, the five of us gathered around our beautifully decorated seder table (that’s not being sarcastic; it was – even if it was the breakfast room table, not the dining room) and turned on my computer to Zoom with Hannah’s family for the first part of the seder – up until the beginning of the telling of “the story”. The reason we did that was to see the main events: 3 1/2 year old Izzy asked the intro “ma nishtanah?” and the first of the four questions (the one about eating only matzohs) in perfect 3 year old Hebrew, and Joan followed through with the other three questions. (Actually Joan too started with “ma nishtanah” because she said the couldn’t start in the middle.)

After that bravura performance, the Zoom went off, and it was time to explain the matzoh. Usually that was my job, but Michelle had (with no intention) sat down in the chair nearest the three matzohs, so I told her “you’re on”. Well, I had never heard Michelle lead a seder before, but let me tell you this. She gets an A+. She obviously employed her stage presence, she knew how to insert the right amount of humor, she knew exactly what sections to skip over, she knows many of the songs and prayers in Hebrew, and she knew how to throw in a few references to the current situation without affecting the flow of the evening. A perfect first night.

Now, what is going to happen on the second night? Andrew was feeling pretty good last night, so the thought was that maybe they could still host seder sheni. But I don’t think we really know yet. It is after 10 a.m., and there has been no contact.

Whatever it is, it will be fine.

But next year, 2025? I am sure we will be back to normal by then.