Economic Justice at Your Seder
The haggadah teaches that we should read the story of Passover feeling as if we were personally freed from Egypt. To do this, we must visualize ourselves in the story, but we should also be aware of the injustice that currently exists in our world.
Yes, We Still Need an Orange on Our Seder Plate
The orange will remain on my seder plate as a sign that we are always striving to help everyone to feel included, a sign that we are always looking out for those who might not feel that they belong, and a sign that we are full of juicy vitality: always growing, always changing, and always aware, keenly aware, that our history of bondage requires us to tell those stories.
Why I Wrote A Kinder, Gentler "Chad Gadya"
“I have no problem with the melody,” my daughter-in-law told me, “but those lyrics are so violent. I am just not comfortable exposing my children to them.” That’s how I ended up sitting down to write kinder, gentler lyrics to the Passover faborite 'Chad Gadya.'
11 Resources to Better Your Seder
With its focus on freedom, Passover is a perfect time to incorporate modern-day social justice issues into the retelling of our people’s journey from slavery to freedom. This round-up of holiday resources – including haggadot, themed inserts, an inclusion guide, and more – will help ensure a terrific and meaningful seder for everyone around your table.
On the Shores of the Sea: Passover Lessons from the Beach
No matter how we choose to observe the seder – on the shores of the sea, in the sands walked by our ancestors, or seated around our dining room tables – we are celebrating and learning together. Each seder provides a new opportunity for soul-cleansing, reflecting on what the story means to us in today’s world, and building meaningful connections and memories.
Women and Gender in the Israeli Reform Haggadah
When two colleagues and I created the Israeli Reform haggadah in 2009, we were well aware of the tension between the significant role of women in the Passover story and the relatively little written about them in the haggadah. Because invisible lines of connection bind seder participants to the history of the Jewish people and to the traditions of individual families, ethnic groups, and their own personal heritage, we felt compelled to make the haggadah gender inclusive and to incorporate the stories of women from throughout Jewish history and today.
How To Talk Politics at Your Family Seder Without Killing Each Other
Should we avoid prickly subjects at the seder? Steer clear of talk about candidates, platforms, policies and anything potentially objectionable for the sake of a happy holiday?
A Day with Bill Clinton Brings Food Justice to the Fore
Two weeks ago, I hung out with President Bill Clinton and some of his staff members when he and his entourage made a campaign visit to Philadelphia. It was an incredible experience and a reminder that our political leaders are human – and as such, there’s much we can learn from them.
Moses, God, and the Power of Expectations
As a child, I always loved hearing the Exodus story on Passover. But in adulthood, upon learning that Moses had a speech impairment, the drama took on new significance for me, because I, too, have a speech impairment due to having cerebral palsy.
I Lost My Father in Mitzrayim
Passover is usually one of my favorite holidays. I love the ritual of preparing the house, the smell of the food, and the joyous atmosphere at the seder table. But this year is different. Passover began only three days after the one-year anniversary of my father’s suicide.