In every generation
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- Published on Monday, 02 May 2016 17:15
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This weekend, Jews and allies will gather together at seder tables around the world to celebrate Pesach
As we gather together at Pesach, let's recommit to fighting for peace and justice.
. DOWNLOAD THE JVP HAGGADAH . . .Freedom and slavery, liberation and oppression. Both are always present and always possible.
This weekend, Jews and allies will gather together at seder tables around the world to celebrate Pesach. We’ll tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, drink four cups of wine, and commit to one another that in every generation, we all must personally feel as though we ourselves were liberated from slavery.
But as supporters of Jewish Voice for Peace, you and I know that the struggle for liberation did not end with the Exodus. For too many people, in Israel/Palestine, in the U.S., and around the world, the struggle for freedom and human rights is far from over.
That’s why Pesach is such a gift. It’s a specific time to connect the struggles for freedom waged by our ancestors to the struggles for freedom being waged today. And to celebrate, JVP members and Rabbis have updated the The Jewish Voice for Peace 2016 Haggadah. Click here to download a free copy.
As we dip karpas in salt water, we’ll stand with the people of Flint, poisoned by lead in their drinking supply. As we spill wine onto our plates reciting the 10 plagues, we’ll share 10 commitments we all can make to challenge the plagues of racism and Islamophobia. And as we raise our glasses four times, we’ll toast to our movements for peace and justice, and resolve to continue fighting.
Whether you’re expecting 30 people for dinner, traveling to relatives or chosen family, having a quiet seder on your own, or you’re just interested to learn more about Pesach -- our Haggadah is for you. Click here to download it from our website.
And there are even more resources on our website! We’ve got Passover recipes, details about JVP seders happening nationwide, and a recording of our webinar “Exodus Now,” linking together the Pesach story of liberation, and the fight for justice for immigrants and refugees from Mexico to Palestine.
Go to JVP.org/Passover, and find out more.
I love that this holiday brings me closer to my loved ones, gathering us together in ritual, story, and song. I love that this holiday is a reminder that the struggle for justice belongs at the heart of every Jewish community. And I love that in JVP, I’ve found a Jewish community that’s truly committed to putting that into practice.
From this year’s JVP Haggadah:
May you find moments in this seder to exhale, to lean your head on the shoulder of a friend or comrade, to feel yourself arriving on the shores of liberation.
Chag Sameach from all of us here at JVP.
Towards more and more liberation,
Ilana Lerman
Rabbinic Council Organizer
P.S. Pesach is just the beginning! On Saturday, April 23rd we begin counting the Omer, the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot, the holiday of revelation. We will be hosting nightly phone calls for all 49 days in order to come together as a community, keeping liberation at the forefront of our minds, hearts and actions. Please join us on these transformative calls, led by JVP members and Rabbis. For more information about these 49 nightly calls, visit JVP.org/omer.
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national membership organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all the people of Israel and Palestine. Become a JVP Member today.
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