Many a seder leader grapples with striking a balance between the opposing poles of structure and chaos. One method of finding that balance: the anarchy seder. Though perhaps it leans closer to chaos than structure.
At anarchy seders, like the one Rabbi Susan Elizabeth Lippe holds every year in her home in Austin, Texas, participants are encouraged to embrace the chaos. She puts out single copies of a broad range of haggadahs and everybody chooses the one they want.
As things get going, everyone takes turns going around the table, each person advancing the seder according to whatever material is in their haggadah when their turn comes up. The leader helps maintain a casual, somewhat anarchic atmosphere; this encourages everyone to freely jump in at any time if something interesting, moving or otherwise noteworthy presents itself in their haggadah.
The anarchy seder requires two things, according to Lippe, who learned the term from her friend, author Abram Shalom Himelstein. First, the right people. “An anarchy seder needs willing participants who bring their curiosity and their humor,” she says.
And then there are the haggadahs. “An anarchy seder requires a number of different haggadot,” she continues, “enough that people can choose, but not so many that important voices get left out. Sadly, we still have to make sure that important non-mainstream voices get heard. So we need to ensure that a feminist haggadah and an LGBTQ haggadah are included.”
Lippe also recommends including a more conventional option. “It’s important to put in a traditional haggadah that our grandparents used. That way, they/we can all be conversation partners.”
One major benefit: Don’t like your haggadah? Put it back on the stack and try something else. An anarchy seder is a field day for the indecisive.
Though it can be a difficult balancing act, an anarchy seder can be lively, spontaneous and engaging for all.
That said, a word to the wise: The anarchy seder isn’t the simplest choice for first-time seder leaders.