Pesach Seder
Here’s a popular Passover song called “Who Knows One” that Israel Reform (an NCEJ grantee) shared with us. The video showcases the Seder that Rabbi Grisha held for his congregation in Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv.
Video from Israel Reform, posted to WhatsApp (shared with permission)
For more background on the video, we’ve included some poignant notes from the organization shared with NCEJ:
“In addition to the ‘regular’ festivities of Pesach, a few additions were made due to the tensions of the war.
There was a chair left empty, like in many households in Israel, as a symbol of hope that we are waiting for the hostages to return home, and honoring them because tragically they won’t be part of a Seder this year.
There was also an additional cup of wine, a fifth cup, poured along with Elijah’s cup for the hostages and those who were murdered or fell in battle.
In addition, a special prayer was said – written especially for the Seder and praying for the safety of our forces, the return of the hostages and recovery for the wounded – and of course, for peace.
The significance for the participants from Russia and Ukraine was double, as they have experienced a lot of these emotions and complexities – in their first Seder in Israel, there was a comparison of the Russian invasion to the Egyptians. Similarly this year, the wish for freedom from bondage takes on a much more profound and deep meaning. The community participated in a discussion about this prior to the Seder.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere at the Seder itself was festive and joyous, with plenty of Jewish engagement and unity.
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