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Wesleyan UniversityPassover SederApril 08, 2009
Seder Haggadah Supplement
Compiled by Rebecca Bak, 2005Edited for 2009 by David Baranger
 
This year, our Seder plate has a newsymbol – an olive. Why an olive?Because, for slavery to be truly over,for a people to be truly free, we mustknow that we can feed ourselves andour children, today, tomorrow, and intothe following generations.In the lands of Israel and Palestine,olive groves provide this security.When olive groves are destroyed, the past and future is destroyed. Withouteconomic security, a people can muchmore easily be conquered or enslaved.And so this year, we eat an olive, tomake real our understanding of what itmeans each time a bulldozer plows upa grove. Without the taste of olives,there will be no taste of 
freedom.2 
"You abound in blessings, God, creator ofthe universe, Who sustains us with livingwater. May we, like the children of Israelleaving Egypt, be guarded and nurturedand kept alive in the wilderness, and mayYou give us wisdom to understand that the journey itself holds the promise ofredemption. AMEN." --Susan Schnur
Miriam’s Well
Elijah’s Cup
In the ninth century B.C.E., a farmer arose tochallenge the domination of the ruling elite. In histireless and passionate advocacy on behalf of thecommon people, and his ceaseless exposure of thecorruption and waste of the court, Elijah sparked amovement and created a legend which wouldinspire people for generations to come.Before he died, Elijah declared that he would returnonce each generation in the guise of any poor oroppressed person, coming to people’s doors to seehow he would be treated. By the treatment offeredthis poor person, who would be Elijah himself, hewould know whether the population had reached alevel of humanity making them capable ofparticipating in the darn of the Messianic age.--Love and Justice Haggadah
 
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Exodus and After 
1leaving is the easy partnot where to run, how to get therechildren pulling at your hemsso many bags to carrywhich way in the dark will you wander what star use as your guidestepping out into the uncertain sandswhat thenit is more than the worry of food, shelter, water, foodwhat will become of usthis is what holds you back2leaving is the simplest partto turn, in panic, anger, disdain, passionrent of all its trappings, belongings, owing-nessto fleeus running, leaping, all gaity at bonds releasedthe haze, intoxication, dinwill we recognize sufferingnotice disequilibrium bedding down among usas we beat freedom drumswill we turn to the sounds of still-lacking3leaving is the lonliest partdeterminedly setting out through unmapped watersgrasping ourselves, the air, what comes next full in our handswe are wild joyfully moving as the dreamour mothers, fathers, cousins dreamed for useven in our hastehistory whispers:bring all you have borne with youleaving it, you will find no peacewhat you make of liberationthat is the trickcan you, unshackled, set someone else free?-Cynthia Greenberg, The Love and Justice Haggadah
Prayer for Overcoming Indifference
I watch the news, God. I observe it all from acomfortable distance. I see people suffering,and I don’t lift a finger to help them. I condemninjustice but I do nothing to fight against it. Iam pained by the faces of starving children, butI am not moved enough to try to save them. Istep over homeless people in the street, I walkpast outstretched hands, I avert my eyes, I closemy heart.Forgive me, God, for remaining aloof whileothers are in need of my assistance.Wake me up, God; ignite my passion, fill mewith outrage. Remind me that I am responsiblefor Your world. Don’t allow me to stand idly by.Inspire me to act. Teach me to believe that I canrepair some corner of this world.When I despair, fill me with hope. When Idoubt my strength, fill me with faith. When Iam weary, renew my spirit. When I losedirection, show me the way back to meaning, back to compassion, back to You. Amen.
—Rabbi Naomi Levy, fromwww.savedarfur.org
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