After 100 years of helping our customers celebrate holidays in their own homes, we were thrilled, this year, to host The First Annual Second Seder at Russ & Daughters Cafe. Laurie Anderson, a longtime customer and friend, presided over the seder and presented a mix of traditions -- new and old. Laurie incorporated beautiful music and stunning storytelling to make a truly magical night.
We served a meal that included noshes - Hot Smoke/Cold Smoke, Chopped Liver, Sours; Matzo Ball Soup, Salmon & Whitefish Gefilte Fish, and Brisket. For dessert: flourless chocolate cake and almond macaroon cookies. We even had some special cocktails for the occasion: Karpas (horseradish-infused potato vodka, cointreau, lemon juice, parsley); Maror (horseradish-infused potato vodka, vermouth, formula antica, angostura bitters, baby beets); Charoset (Bulleit bourbon, House-made apple & cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, manzanilla sherry).
And, of course, a complete seder plate, as pictured above!
Laurie curated a group of fantastic performers and participants who presented each part of the seder through beautiful stories and song. We were lucky to be joined by Suzanne Vega, Judith Berkson, Annie Ohayon, Roma Baran, Basya Schecter, and Paul Mills -- all of whom shared their own personal interpretation of the parts of the seder.
A portion of the proceeds from every ticket was donated to Educational Alliance. based on the Lower East Side for 125 years, Educational Alliance has been an essential NYC resource, providing services to more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually.
Below, the Russ & Daughters seder plate, as seen on every table.
Replacing the traditional seder plate with kraft placemats enabled us to identify its parts in both Hebrew and English.
Every part of the seder was truly special. A unique and once-in-a-lifetime gathering of friends and family to start a whole new tradition, based on something so old.
Another highlight from the amazing night: Laurie Anderson: Moses' Escape from Egypt
