We Were Slaves in Egypt Escape Artists in Europe Performance Artists in America
We Were Slaves in Egypt
Escape Artists in Europe
Performance Artists in America
©Copyright 2013, Jonathan Goldin
Dedicated to Leonard Cohen
When they say
we were slaves in Egypt
they neglect Moses
who didn’t fit that bill.
He was modern
conflicted like Hamlet
could fit nicely
with European Jews-
the ultimate Escape Artists.
In Europe
border crossings
train stations
shadow and fog
and middle of the nights
like Egypt.
Also
opera houses
and candelabras
and fur coats
and upside down
figures in mid-air
like Chagall’s paintings
magicians and physicians and mathematicians
and healers of all kinds;
all of them
Escape Artists
some talented enough
to escape.
In America
a Jewish performance artist
digitizes all of Jewish history
literature midrash torah kabbalah
and stories from her whole crazy mishpachah
puts it all on a flash drive
and projects it across her
naked tattooed body
off off Broadway
and calls it
Exodus: The Sequel
and herself,
Moses 2.0
and she got sued but
she has a great agent
and a decent lawyer.
I’m confused
tired and dismayed
slumbering
not sure if I can make
it to the Red Sea this night
or any other night.
No longer sure
there’s any
Promised Land to find.
So which of the
Four Sons
am I now?
Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?
Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world
Have an idea
for a clip?
People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip
Support Us
with your donation
Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.
OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS
Passover Guide
Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.