Passover Publications & Resources
INTERFAITH SEDER
FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE MEDLEY OF SONGS by MAGPIE WELCOME by Co-sponsors and committee – Rev. Laura Collins, Rabbi David
Shneyer, Mike Tabor The tradition of the Passover Seder has its roots in ancient nomadic Mesopotamian
culture. The concept of sacrificing the first born unblemished male lamb
in the spring as an offering to a deity goes back to earliest pre-history.
The hope, of course, was that there would be an abundant and healthy birthing
of other lambs (with the blessing and protection of the chief deity). Later,
when a Semitic tribal people settled and evolved into a pastoral society
and the raising of cattle and grain became the primary agricultural goal,
another spring ritual evolved. This one first marked the spring harvest of barley – then 50 days later,
wheat was harvested. The time between the harvests was a time of watching
and worrying – hail, locusts, and disease could harm or even destroy the
wheat. The granaries or storage areas also had to be readied. The old grains,
which had become moldy due to moisture, had to be destroyed lest they infect
the new crop. And the granaries cleansed. LARRY ROBINSON The rituals which evolved from these springtime events were melded together
with the sacred history of the ISRAELITE people’s earliest memories – and
became Passover. The dramatic story of a wandering tribal people, fused with the agricultural
memories of the nomadic and pastoral heritage, then a memory of their enslavement
and then liberation and finally coalescence into a nation begs to be told
and retold for thousands of years. RICHARD BRADY This story evolved and changed through time. Its basis is noted in the
Bible (Exodus) as well as the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud. The first
printed Hagaddah was published in Spain in 1482. One theme that endures
through the ages is for each participant of a seder to “make this journey
my own”. Traditionally, the seders are observed by families, in their homes, on
the first and second nights of this 7-day festival. During the entire period,
various dietary rules are observed and matzoh (unleavened bread) is eaten. In the last 100 years, secular socialist Yiddishists and kibbutz-based
Zionists wrote “Third Night Seders” reinterpreting the holiday, broadening
the meaning and emphasizing the universal theme. And Christians have honored
the event as Jesus’ last supper and written their own seders. MICHAEL TABOR Shortly after the death of Martin Luther King in 1968 and the subsequent
riots, Arthur Waskow, a then Washington, DC-based historian, and social
justice activist, wrote a personal re-telling of the seder that dramatically
captured the imagination of Jews and non-Jews involved in the struggle
against contemporary oppressions. Jews for Urban Justice, a Washington area social justice group, sponsored
the first “Freedom Seder” using Waskow’s haggadah. It was held in Rev.
Channing Phillip’s “Lincoln Temple” Church in downtown Washington and attracted
several hundred people. The largest FREEDOM SEDER was attended by over
15, 000 people at Cornell University and featured the appearance of Father
Phillip Berrigan, who was protected from FBI arrest by the multitudes. GUSTAVO TORRES: This Interfaith seder with its emphasis on peace and justice is another
retelling of that basic story of freedom, liberation, justice and peace
which ALL PEOPLES YEARN FOR, WHATEVER ONE’S FAITH. DAVID SHNEYER EXPLAINS THE MATZO, CHAROSET AND MAROR NJOKI NJOROGE NJEHU What causes war is always complicated. But often, fear, racism, exploitation,
poverty, environment, water, wages and more are always causes of dissention
and unrest. In the past (and the present) our standard of living has become
dependent on less technologically advanced people in an effort to harness
other population to, cheaply and quickly produce our clothing, rugs, furniture,
TVs, videos, food and oil so that we can drive gas guzzling cars and trucks
and live our life without thinking all that much about why and how. So, on this seder evening, we are coming together as a community to think
about the causes of war and what it would take for us to create a healthier,
saner and more just society. DAMU SMITH On Passover, we are traditionally commanded to lean to the left (pause)
– both figuratively and literally. For on this night, even the most hardcore
neo-con Bushite is reminded of our heritage of slavery, oppression, revolution
and freedom. Of prophetic voices demanding justice, equality and freedom
from tyrants and oppressors – and if denied, rising up, seizing the time
and destroying the power of the despot. There is however, a problem. The theme of Passover focuses on the overthrow
of an imperial nation – one which subjugated others in order to raise their
standard of living – including those “slaving away in Egypt building pyramids”
– they were causing subject nations to pay tribute or face invasion. The problem of course, is that a strong case can be made that we are living
in that imperial nation. STAV ADVI In the Mid east
today the children of Abraham-Ibrahim, are in a desperate and violent
struggle with each other. Israeli Jews and Palestinians. In
the Hebrew Scriptures – the Torah – of ancient times they are both given
God’s blessings, to inherit the land and to be become a great people. Neither
people is realizing God’s blessing. The treatment of Palestinians by the
present Israel government and the manipulation of Palestinian youth to
blow themselves and others up are desecrations of the Creator’s will and
mocks what it means to be created IN THE DIVINE IMAGE. The Occupation must
end. Suicide bombing must cease. God’s blessing will only come to those
who recognize the futility of violence and resolve to reconcile differences
through dialogue, compromise and forgiveness. DAVID This evening, in communion, food, song, dance and ritual, we can try and
find better ways to free ourselves, our communities, our countries and
peoples of a mindset that is subjugating huge parts of this world as well
as many of us in this country. SONG - MAGPIE SEVERINA RIVERA (approx. 5 minute exercise) The word seder means order. It is believed that that the tradition goes
back over 2,000 years. Prior to the seder, the house was carefully spring
cleaned to make sure that no trace of “chametz” last year’s grain – bread,
cereal and other forms of uncleanliness, remain. Leavened bread also can
symbolize “puffed-up” pride, greed and jealousy. On Passover, we each eat
the simple bread to cleanse our minds of ‘Puffed-upness” to spring-clean
ourselves as well as our surroundings. Our first step in the order tonight is to check ourselves and our neighbors
for uncleanliness. So let us all now rise, go around our table and look
at the labels on each other’s clothing and see where the clothing was made,
where we bought it, and how much it cost. Let’s take a few minutes to discuss,
especially with our children, what we know about these countries. (Pause – let people start going around the table – encourage them to look
at each other’s labels. The ask these questions): A) What are the workers paid to make these clothes? Each table will have a few minutes to discuss their findings. Then Severina
Rivera will give some examples of wages, conditions, etc. Ask if any tables
had any special insights or questions. (Quickly go around the room and ask each table to say a few words about
the exercise.) DAVID SHNEYER Welcoming the stranger (5 -7 minute exercise) After we are seated, we open the doors to welcome the stranger to our
table. So, before we begin SONG – IT’S A PLEASURE TO KNOW YOU - MAGPIE Walk around the room and seat yourself with people you don’t know (it’s
OK to take your children with you!) Choose a new table “leader” . Take
a few minutes, remember the journey of our immediate family when they came
to this country. Also recall people forced from their lands by war, revolution
and poverty. Often they were forced to leave their loved ones, their homes,
relatives, husbands and wives and be separated until they get established
in a new country. DAVID SHNEYER The traditional seder, follows an order. The order is very specific –
it involves reciting the traditional blessings, washing hands, blessing
the various items on the seder plate, breaking the middle matzoh, telling
a story, etc. So here’s the order: Explanation of the order - Kaddesh, Ur’chatz, karpas, yachatz, etc. MARIE DENNIS Birchat y’Ladim Blessing your sons May God bless you with the strength and faithfulness (pause) MERRILL LEFFLER Blessing your daughter May God bless you with the strength and vision of Sarah (pause) TWO POEMS BY MERRILL LEFFLER – “Wildpeace” and The End and The Beginning DUCHY TRACTENBERG Explanation of the recent addition of the orange (explanation will be
inserted) DAVID Karpas – Let us enjoy some greens, the vegetation of this planet, as we
celebrate Spring and this season of renewal. Yachatz- We break this matzah – symbolizing the brokenness of oppression
in this world unredeemed. MATZOH – The bread of affliction (HOLD UP THE MAZOH ABOVE YOUR HEAD) A famous rabbi – Reb Levi Yitzchak was responsible for supervising the
“kashrut” of the matzoh bakeries, but he was also concerned with the condition
of the workers – especially the mothers and children. If he saw exploitation,
he challenged and chastised the bakery owners. Because the bakers needed
his seal of approval (hechsher), it needed workers who were paid a living
wage – not made to work 12 hours a day and paid pennies. Share in the matzah, the bread of affliction! Imagine the plight of workers
exploited. JANIECE KENNEDY So, let’s stop for a minute and think about the food at our table – where
was it grown, who were the workers, what chemicals were used. Where can
we shop to be sure the food is not irradiated, GMO’s or laden with pesticides? Tables briefly discuss – Janiece make a brief pitch for shopping at a
food co-op or farmers markets. Ask if tables have any other insights. ANA SOL GUTIERREZ BITTERNESS – MAROR One of our worst enemies today is bitterness and cynicism – they stop
us from taking positive action. From participating democratically in our
local governments to endlessly complaining about the Republican/evangelical-cowboy,
etc. national leader. But, even if you disagree with your national leadership,
you can still act locally. [ask any local officials to stand and introduce] You need to know them, work for them if you support them and then turn
out the vote on election day. As you know, only 40 – 50% of the population
turn out to vote. If we’re to have a democracy, you need to participate
and be informed. Know who we elect to our city council, county government
and state legislature and senate. And contribute to their campaigns generously.
If you don’t, a host of developers, road builders, mall planners, etc.,
will. (ANA SOL – YOU CAN BRIEFLY ADD SOMETHING ELSE IF YOU LIKE!) THEN ASK EVERYONE TO REPEAT: THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY (2 minute exercise) a) Who represents us on the county Council? Names… ANA – ASK FOR ANSWERS FROM AUDIENCE – table by table. Ask how many of
them know by a show of hands. Tell them it’s their job to find our more
before the next election. DAVID SHNEYER – EXPLAINS: KIDDUSH – FOUR CUPS OF WINE (JUICE) ANDY SHALLAL - First cup FREEDOM Living wage, decent housing, universal health care, decent education,
etc. (ANDY, you should make a brief fund raising pitch for humanitarian relief
efforts in Palestine and Iraq.) STAV ADVI – Second cup DELIVERANCE In Israel and the Middle east – let us have deliverance from oppression
among peoples, an end to settlements in the West Bank, and a Palestinian
state living in peaceful co-existence with Israel. Let the people of the
Middle East deliver themselves from dictators whether these dictators are
the friends or foes of the White House. Then ad, briefly, who you are and
what made you take the step you did. MIKE TIDWELL– Third cup REDEMPTION Let us redeem our democracy by actively resisting evil and injustice and
participating in local politics. Let us also redeem ourselves by making
sure our elected officials pass legislation mandating the use of wind power
and other forms of alternative power. Today, in this country, many people say, corporations, not government
rule. In the next year, let us seek to liberate ourselves from the tyranny
of corporate rule by increasing our participation in the political process.
50 years is surely enough! (explain, briefly what you mean.) For people
of “faith” what does it means to create the “Kingdom of God?” (DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING??) DAVID SHNEYER TALKS ABOUT THE TEN PLAGUES – Recitation of the Plagues table by table. Drop blood (wine, juice) on
plates for each plague. We diminish our joy because of suffering in struggle
for liberation. DAVID SHNEYER EXPLAINS: WASHING (Urchatz) Basins passed around, wash each other’s hands. REV. GEORGE TAYLOR Explanation of why Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and why we need
to treat each other humbly and with compassion. DUCHY TRACTENBERG – MIRIAM’S CUP This cup, filled with water, reminds us of Miriam’s well, the mystical
source of water that followed the Israelites on their sojourn through the
desert. This year, we hold up a cup of water and remember it’s importance. Water
and access to it are often a cause of war. One billion people in the world
do not have a source of clean drinking water. Some for instance, those
in Sub-Saharan countries in Africa, must drink river water and as a result
become blind by the time they’re 40. NJOKI And, a company whose product we should think twice before buying and drinking,
Coca Cola, has been buying up the rights in Africa to the cleanest water,
making a deal for part ownership with the regime in that country, and then
bottling their product and selling it to the people – denying poor people
access to their own water! In Brazil, people are forced, once again to drink unclean water because
the government permits a for-profit company to charge people for water
that was once free. Hold up Miriam’s cup and say together: May all people everywhere Everyone is asked to take a drink of water GABRIELLA SMITH AND PEACE VIGIL CHILDREN – MA NISHTANAH: The Four Questions There are 4 traditional questions that children ask us at the seder table.
This year we have a group of children who have questions for us – and they
want answers! Gabriella has organized a vigil for peace every Friday here in TP from
5:00pm – 6:30pm at the corner of Philadelphia and Maple. Gabriella introduces the children who ask their questions. DAMU SMITH: ask them to repeat the words: THEN EVERYONE HOLDS UP A GLASS OF WATER AND SAY: “Next year in a world of freedom – a world without tyrants, racism, exploitation
and corporate rule!” DINNER Blessing of food with appropriate prayers by different faith traditions
present: Rev. Laura Collins DAVID – REMIND FOLKS TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO COSTS OF SEDER AND HUMANITARIAN
DONATIONS TO REBUILD IRAQ (pass around baskets – to whom can they make
out a check) GEORGE TAYLOR, DAVID SHNEYER, MARIE DENNIS ALL HELP CLEAN AWAY TABLES - ASK FOR HELP WITH CLEAN UP BRING EVERYONE INTO A CIRCLE MICHAEL TABOR ANNOUNCEMENT: RECYCLING, NO STYROFOAM, COMPOSTING ACKNOWLEDGE Brian Walt for his Rabbis for Human Rights Haggadah and other….. SONG – MAGPIE End with a “close out” song by DAVID SHNEYER 
Saturday, April 19, 2003
GREG SMITH:
B) Where are these countries?
C) What do we know about the treatment of children, the health, the living
conditions in their countries?
D) Is anyone wearing a “made in the USA label?”
this journey, say goodbye to your friends and family and become the stranger
– the other.
Explanation of the seder plate (karpas, charoset, maror, pesach breitzah)
BLESSINGS OF THE CHILDREN
Of Ephraim and the wisdom of Manasseh – and (pause)
The knowledge of using your strength (testosterone) (pause)
For peace, not destruction.
With the wisdom and foresight of Rebekah, the courage and compassion of
Rachel and (pause)
The gentleness and graciousness of Leah
.
NJOKI NJOROGE NJEHU
At each table, facilitators should ask everyone if they know the name
of their elected officials.
b) Who represents us in the State legislature and the Senate? Names…
c) What kind of job are they doing when it comes to peace and justice issues?
NJOKI – Fourth cup LIBERATION
FOOD AND THE TEN PLAGUES
Have access to the waters of life
Let not water be held from our people
As an economic tool of oppression
Rabbi David Shneyer
Muslim
Buddhist (Richard Brady)
Catholic – Marie Dennis
BLESSING AFTER THE MEAL
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