Dear Members and Friends,
Today is the first day of Passover, the most observed holiday among the Jewish community. Last night, Jews around the world began gathering with friends and family for a seder dinner. The seder is a ritual enactment of the Exodus story of the Jewish people seeking freedom from slavery in Egypt. It is a story of remembrance, of resilience, of maintaining hope in difficult times. It is a story of a people under great duress capable of journeying together towards the light of truth and freedom.
This weekend, here at UU Westport, we will observe Passover on Saturday at 5:30 PM in the sanctuary. All are welcome to our family-friendly Unitarian Universalist seder. We will re-tell the Exodus story and acknowledge the meaning it has for Unitarian Universalists. Following the 30 minute seder, we will enjoy a potluck together. You may RSVP HERE.
On Sunday, we will reflect further on the Exodus story, the theme of interdependence, and the reality that “We Are All in this Together.”
The beauty of a seder is the sharing of a meal with people you care about. This is especially important this year. It can’t be ignored that 1,200 Jewish families are grieving the loss of loved ones at the hands of Hamas terrorists—and, because of retaliation of similar murderous rage by Israel, tens of thousands of Muslim families are grieving the loss of loved ones and many more families are grieving the loss of their homes, struggling with famine, and facing an uncertain future.
I agree with Rabbi Shai Heid that the radical message of the Passover story is more vital than ever. It is ultimately a story about what we can do with our pain: we can let memory teach us empathy and can we can let suffering teach us love. Jewish faithful gather for seders to remember the Exodus story of a people seeking freedom.
Rabbi Heid acknowledges that such a memory, for some, may seem impossible to summon at a time of so much trauma and devastation. As he says, “But it is critical to remember the Exodus precisely at moments of horror and pain because it is the ultimate reminder that the present moment need not be the final stage of history. The status quo, no matter how intransigent, can and must be overturned. Further, we are meant not just to remember our suffering but also to grow in empathy as a result.”
He articulates the implications of the Exodus story aptly: “Since we know vulnerability, the plight of the vulnerable — whether among our own kin or among those who do not look or pray or speak like us — makes an especially forceful claim on us.” His New York Times editorial can be accessed HERE.
I hope to see you this weekend!
Warmly,
Alan
