INTRODUCTION:

Why is this wine different from all other wine?! Bring the spirit of the Seder to an intimate wine tasting experience! At the Passover seder it is traditional to drink four cups of wine and ask four very important questions. Gather your community to taste four different wines and explore the deeper meaning behind the four questions through learning and deep conversation! No need to be a wine expert or a Seder pro, just come ready to sip, wonder, and share your voice to get in the Passover spirit!

NOTE: Consider applying for the Jewish Culture and Holiday JIO and/or the Jewish Learning JIO to help cover the costs of source sheet printing, supplies, snacks, and wine. Just note only $15 of each JIO can be put towards alcohol.

MATERIALS:

• 4 Cups & 4 Questions Source Sheet
• Four different types of wine
• Wine glasses or cups
• Napkins
• Snacks
• NOTE: If it’s Passover, consider buying Kosher for Passover wine and snacks. If not, consider theming the snacks to Passover: matzah-like crackers, salt and vinegar chips inspired by the salt water at the seder, some deconstructed charoset with apples, dates, and walnuts to munch on, etc…

PROGRAM OUTLINE (~60 minutes):

• Welcome and Framing (5 minutes)
• Wine Tasting and Discussion of the 4 Cups & 4 Questions (~50 minutes)
• Reflection and Shmoozing (5 minutes)

Welcome and Framing (5 minutes)

• Welcome guests and explain that this evening you will get to taste four different wines and explore the deeper meaning behind the four questions asked at the Passover seder.  
• Invite everyone to gather around the table or the space provided and get comfy.  

Wine Tasting and Discussion of the 4 Cups & 4 Questions (~50 minutes)   

• Pass out the source sheet and wine glasses/cups.  
• Depending on the size of the group one could facilitate the whole sheet as a group discussion offering different people the chance to read and respond to the questions.  
• However, if the group is particularly large, one could break the group into chavruta (learning pairs), or small groups.  
• If using this method, consider having the group learn all together for the source on the Four Cups and the Closing Reflection (see source sheet) before breaking the group into smaller groups. In addition, it’s recommended to have the groups switch after each toast is made (see source sheet) to allow different people to learn together and get to know each other.  

Reflection and Shmoozing (5+ minutes)

• Have everyone in the group respond to the Closing Reflection prompt (see source sheet). Then welcome everyone to stay and chat, sip some more wine, and enjoy some snacks!