It is strange to be celebrating Passover and liberation from bondage when so many of us are stuck in our homes due to a plague. As I saw on Facebook recently:
Jewish Irony: Passover Cancelled Due to PLAGUE
But let’s also remember that on the night of the first Passover, all the Israelites were stuck in their houses as well. So like our ancestors, we are staying in our homes to retell the story of our going from slavery to freedom and to remind ourselves that in this time when we are all focused so much on the epidemic, the issues of freedom haven’t gone away – they have grown. Around the world, people are still in bondage and slavery, and the issues of poverty, food insecurity, refugees and climate change now have the added threat of Covid-19. It will be hard not to be with our friends and family around the Seder table, but now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves of the values – and challenges – of freedom, and our responsibility as Jews to make sure freedom rings out over the voices of those who call for a Pharoah to save us. We call to God, and the divine spark within each of us that knows that freedom is the oxygen the spirit needs to breathe, and that all of us made in the image of the Divine deserve to be free.
AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE PASSOVER RESOURCES: This site has haggadot and readings focused on issues of social justice and helping those most vulnerable. A meaningful way to reflect on today’s greatest sources of oppression through the Seder.
Passover 2020 Resources & Events
April 3, 2020 by templesinai • Passover, Rabbi's Blog •
It is strange to be celebrating Passover and liberation from bondage when so many of us are stuck in our homes due to a plague. As I saw on Facebook recently:
Jewish Irony: Passover Cancelled Due to PLAGUE
But let’s also remember that on the night of the first Passover, all the Israelites were stuck in their houses as well. So like our ancestors, we are staying in our homes to retell the story of our going from slavery to freedom and to remind ourselves that in this time when we are all focused so much on the epidemic, the issues of freedom haven’t gone away – they have grown. Around the world, people are still in bondage and slavery, and the issues of poverty, food insecurity, refugees and climate change now have the added threat of Covid-19. It will be hard not to be with our friends and family around the Seder table, but now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves of the values – and challenges – of freedom, and our responsibility as Jews to make sure freedom rings out over the voices of those who call for a Pharoah to save us. We call to God, and the divine spark within each of us that knows that freedom is the oxygen the spirit needs to breathe, and that all of us made in the image of the Divine deserve to be free.
Seders and Special Programs
Passover Song Links
A Passover Playlist
Songs we often sing at Seder
Kadesh Ur’chatz / Order of Seder
Vehi She’amda: Traditional Ashkenazi
Vehi She’amda: Y. Razel Tune
HaLachma Anya
Chasal Siddur Pesach: Sephardic
Chasal Siddur Pesach: Ashkenazic
Avadim Hayinu
Ozi V’Zimrat Yah
Dayeinu
Chad Gad Ya
Echad Mi Yodea
Online Haggadot
Especially for Kids
PJ Library Passover – a great site with lots of videos and ‘how-to’s for kids.
HAGGADAH Coloring Book – great for all ages!
JewBoston Passover Activities for Kids – ready to print and play.
Shira Kline Passover Songs – great fun songs in English.