In Every Generation: A Passover RPG Experience

In the Passover Seder, we have a saying: In every generation, it's necessary for every person to see themself as if they personally fled Egypt. As a player, leader, and designer of role-playing games, as well as a Jewish person, this saying speaks to me on a very deep level. What does it mean to see ourselves as if we fled Egypt?

In Every Generation is a minimalist story-building and role-playing game/ritual. The whole game is documented on 1 double sided page, with an additional page of songs.  The game is heavily influenced by stories like Cloud Atlas, where the same "archetypes" of characters and situations are echoed throughout the ages. You might play the first scene in a sword-and-sandals fantasy version of the Roman Empire, the next in a dystopian Weird West, the next in a super futuristic sci fi world.  The only limits are your imagination.

Thank you to Tzvia Rubens, Tatum Shiff, Menachem Cohen, Jason Ariel & Edward S-J for their very helpful feedback, and to Tzvia Rubens for the beautiful cover art.

FAQ

Do I have to be Jewish to play?

No! While there should be at least one person familiar enough with Passover, the Exodus, and Judaism to lead the overall experience, there is no requirement that you (or your character) be Jewish. However, this (or any) Seder should not be used in the context of another religion's holiday or ritual. If you would like a ritual-game designed for your religious context, get in touch and I'd love to work with you!

Can I play this game as part of a Seder?

Yes! This ritual-game includes all the major "moments" of the Seder: from Kadesh and Urchatz all the way to Nirtzah. You can use a Haggadah along with the In Every Generation text to fill in the blessings and songs that take place between sections.

What ages is this game good for?

In Every Generation doesn't require any math or complicated rules, but it can require a lot of courage to step out of your comfort zone and be vulnerable. If I had to pick, I'd say 10 and up, but you know your kids best. All you need to participate is a willingness to improvise and go with the flow.

Feel free to reach out (@yonahsienna) with any other questions, comments, or other thoughts! If you try the game out, I'm especially interested in hearing how it went!