‘Yum’ Tov! Mayim Bialik Shares Tips for an Animal-Friendly Seder in New PETA Video

Ready, charoset, go! With Passover fast approaching—and more humans than ever before parting with meat, eggs, and dairy out of compassion for animals, their own health, and the planet—actor and longtime vegan Mayim Bialik is starring in a new PETA video offering matzo suggestions for preparing a delectable and healthy vegan Seder that spreads a little light to all.

“I’m having a vegan Passover. Why? Because it’s simple, delicious, and kind to animals,” Bialik says.

Making a Big Bang at Passover

Bialik shares how several Seder staples are already vegan, including charoset (when made with agave instead of honey) and Maror, or bitter herbs. To keep the feast Kosher, Bialik recommends swapping lamb shank with a red beet or meaty mushroom—as allowed in the Talmud—while a hardboiled egg can be nixed in favor of anything representing Spring or renewal, such as a flower or an avocado.

“The traditional Beitzah egg on the ritual seder plate is supposed to symbolize life, but you know what? The lives of chickens exploited and slaughtered in factory farms aren’t exactly a cause for celebration,” says Bialik.

As Bialik points out, using animals’ flesh and eggs in a Seder goes against the celebration of life and renewal. Lambs recognize their mothers after only one day and have close, lifelong relationships with their fellow flock mates. Mother hens begin to teach calls to their chicks before they even hatch. Yet, in the meat and egg industries, these sensitive animals suffer. Farms—even “cage-free” facilities—cram birds into filthy sheds where they cannot root in the soil, bask in the sun, or breathe fresh air.

In addition to honoring the mitzvah of tza’ar ba’alei chayim (which prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to animals), each human who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically reduces their food-related carbon footprint, and slashes their risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity.

“From matzoh ball soup to vegan gefilte fish, PETA’s got you covered with delicious cruelty-free recipes,” says Bialik. “Mazel tov!”

Pass Over the Vegan Foods!

Every animal is someone—and in the spirit of Passover, you can promote the liberation of all species by simply going vegan. PETA’s free vegan starter kit and guide to an animal-friendly Seder are filled with tips to help anyone looking to make the switch.

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