Leader: Welcome to our Passover Seder! Together with Jews everywhere, tonight we recount a story told for the last 3,000 years. It is a story about the community of Israel, and it is also a story of humanity's deep wish for justice and liberty. Tonight we remember the Exodus from Mitzrayim -- the escape from the "narrows" of the biblical land of Egypt. Tonight, we celebrate during a time of suffering -- a time when we ourselves are constrained and afraid in our homes, in our country, in the world. We remember our ancestors and we vow that we will not allow their stories, their wisdom to be taken from us. And in recalling the struggles of our ancestors we ask: how may we achieve freedom from suffering in our own time?

Participant: Our seder begins with the lighting of two candles and a blessing. As these candles are lit, we move from the routine of our daily lives into the special time of this festival.

If you have two candles in your home, please light them with us as we recite the prayer:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam shehechcheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higianu lazman hazeh.

We praise you, Adonai our God, for light in the darkness.