Pesach is coming and the seder is meant to be a time to discuss big, relevant ideas. We even put a seder plate on the table with all kinds of odd items on it to encourage our children to ask what all these things are for. Years ago, a tradition began of putting an orange on the seder plate. There are two origin stories behind this. The first was a statement that a Rabbi suggested that women Rabbis belonged on the bima in the same way that an orange belonged on a seder plate. In another version of the story, a Rabbi suggested that GLBTQ Jews belonged in Synagogue like an orange belongs on the seder plate. For those of us who believe in the inclusion of women Rabbis and the GLBTQ community, putting an orange on the seder plate was a natural response. In this way, a new tradition was born and it becomes a moment to teach about the Jewish values of inclusion and equality as our children ask, “Why is there an orange on the seder plate?”
There are so many amazing online resources today that can be included in your Seder and I wanted to share just a few with you.
American Jewish Worlds services which helps work for social justice throughout the world helps bring awareness of our world to our seder table. Check out their Dayeynu video.
Finally, Israel will be celebrating 70 years in a few weeks. Why not end by singing Hatikvah. Ask someone who has been to Israel to talk about their feelings and memories. Add a small Israeli flag to your Seder plate and let people ask why it is there. Drink a toast and say l’chayim for Israel.
In each generation we are meant to see ourselves as though we were slaves in Egypt. We really don’t have to search too hard to know that people are still enslaved by poverty, work, war, hunger, violence – there is plenty of work to be done. I hope you will find inspiration in these resources and feel moved to continue the work of freeing our world from all that enslaves it.
From my family to yours, may you have a zissen Pesach. May it be sweet, meaningful and inspiring!
L’shalom, Rabbi Melinda Panken
Passover Seder Guest/Host Sign-up We want to make sure that everyone has people to spend at least one Passover Seder with. Please indicate, using the form below, if you can host others - or if you would like us to match you up with another TSE family for either or both of the seders.