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On the one hand, the matzah reminds us of our slavery in Egypt. For this reason, matzah is called “lechem oni” “the bread of our affliction.” At the same time, the matzah reminds us of our liberation, for it was only at the moment of escape from slavery that our ancestors baked matzah to bring with them on their journey. In symbolizing both oppression and liberation, the matzah reminds us to celebrate our liberation, and to continue fighting the oppression that...

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We take a piece of the bitter herb from the Seder plate and prepare to eat it. This is a reminder of the bitterness of slavery. As we eat the maror, let us remember the bitterness that many immigrants still encounter. We say together: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַ ת מָרוֹר. Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’Olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotavv’tzivanu al achilat maror. Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us...

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Reader:  In the Seder, it is traditional that the youngest child who is able to ask recites the four questions. While we include the youngest to engage them, they also engage us. The “whys” of the innocent compel us to answer truthfully, not only about past injustices but about the inhumanity and inequity in our own world as well. During Maggid every year, we retell and teach to our children the story of our freedom and the fulfillment of promises made...

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RESOURCES & FOOTNOTES: i Adapted from the Camp Kinderland 2003 Hagaddah. ii “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 16, 1963. iii From Velveteen Rabbi’s “Hagaddah for Pesach,” Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, 2001. iv Exodus 6:6-7 v Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, 2006. vi Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, 2011. vii Farm to Food Desert- Chicago Reader, Topher Gray, August 19, 2010. viii U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, 2012. ix The Velveteen Rabbi’s Haggadah for Passover x...

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As we light the candles and welcome the glow of Passover into our homes, we pray that all those suffering around the world find light in the darkness. We pray that our experience tonight helps us to ignite the spark of justice within each of us. We pray that we have the strength to carry forth this light into the world, creating a beautiful and bold flame that inspires others to work by our sides to pursue freedom and justice for...

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We offer thanks for the communal meal

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In Jewish practice, it is customary to perform a ritual washing of one’s hands before consuming a meal that includes bread or matzah. We wash away the dirt of prejudices and negative stereotypes of "other people" which cause so much hurt and pain in our world.xix After we wash our hands, we recite the blessing: בָּ רוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’Olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al n’tilat...

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On the one hand, the matzah reminds us of our slavery in Egypt. For this reason, matzah is called “lechem oni” “the bread of our affliction.” At the same time, the matzah reminds us of our liberation, for it was only at the moment of escape from slavery that our ancestors baked matzah to bring with them on their journey. In symbolizing both oppression and liberation, the matzah reminds us to celebrate our liberation, and to continue fighting the oppression that...

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RESOURCES & FOOTNOTES: i Adapted from the Camp Kinderland 2003 Hagaddah. ii “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 16, 1963. iii From Velveteen Rabbi’s “Hagaddah for Pesach,” Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, 2001. iv Exodus 6:6-7 v Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, 2006. vi Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, 2011. vii Farm to Food Desert- Chicago Reader, Topher Gray, August 19, 2010. viii U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, 2012. ix The Velveteen Rabbi’s Haggadah for Passover x...

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In Jewish practice, it is customary to perform a ritual washing of one’s hands before consuming a meal that includes bread or matzah. We wash away the dirt of prejudices and negative stereotypes of "other people" which cause so much hurt and pain in our world.xix After we wash our hands, we recite the blessing: בָּ רוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’Olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al n’tilat...