Passover at Temple Emanu-El

This year at Seder – I’m thinking about the words we say at the end of the night. “Next Year in Jerusalem.” We recite these words expressing our hope for a future where the Jewish people can live in peace and freedom in the Land of Israel, and a yearning for a more just and ideal world. This year, we not only pray these words but we can act towards them too. At my Passover Seder, I’m going to make sure those who are 18 and older and who are Jewish have voted in the World Zionist Congress Elections. If they haven’t, I’m going to make sure they vote at the table. The 2025 World Zionist Congress elections, takes place until May 4th and allows American Jews to influence the allocation of over $1 billion annually for Jewish causes in Israel and worldwide. These elections address key issues such as Israel's recovery post-October 7, rising antisemitism, and debates over religious pluralism. I will encourage everyone around my table to vote for Slate #3 – Vote REFORM!

Check out these place cards you can use or this Seder supplement about the WZC Election.   

This year, at our Seder, we will be thinking about the four cups of wine. Traditionally, each cup is linked to a promise made by God, “I will bring you out,” “I will save you,” “I will redeem you,” “I will take you as a nation.”

The four cups can also be associated with the Four Freedoms first articulated by FDR in 1941. These became the inspiration for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are:

Freedom of Speech - the right to say and stand up for what you believe in.

Freedom of Worship - freedom for everyone to be able to worship in their own way.

Freedom of Want - being able to have basic necessities such as clothing, food, and shelter.

Freedom from Fear - neighbors getting along with each other and people not fearing for their well-being.

This year at my Passover Seder, my heart and mind will be in the East. Many in Israel will have empty seats at their tables, as their loved ones were brutally killed on October 7th, died in combat in Gaza or are still held hostage by Hamas. Many Israelis are unable to celebrate Passover in their own homes as they have been evacuated from the North and the South. 

This Passover, we can hold our Israeli siblings in our own celebrations as we mark how this night is different than all other nights: 

Set an extra Passover place setting for a hostage in Gaza -- “Let my People Go!” These words have a different meaning this Passover and it is our obligation to continue to share the stories of those who are held in captivity in Gaza. Every Erev Shabbat service since October 7th we have been telling the story of one hostage in Gaza and praying for their safe and immediate return. We encourage you to add a chair to your Seder table this year, print out a picture of a hostage and share their story during the maggid section of your Seder. You can find information about each of the remaining hostages here.  

Readings, Poems, and Additions to your Seder Plate 

Our Haggadah is our guide for the Passover meal but one can always add additional readings, poetry and rituals to make your Seder more impactful. Here are a few ideas. 

Yachatz/Breaking of the Matzah – A kavanah/intention written by Rabbi Alona Lisitza, an Israel Reform Rabbi to recite as we break the middle matzah. 
Mah Nishtnah - A Reading by Rabbi Dara Lithwick - reflecting on how this night is different for Israelis and innocent Palestinians. 
All Four (Are One) - A poem by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat sharing new insights of the four children, a Zionist, A Palestinian activist, a peacenik, and one who doesn’t know what to even dream. 

These three readings can be found here.

Add an Olive on your Seder Plate - The olive tree is one of the first plants to be mentioned in the Torah and it has become a universal symbol of peace and hope. The Olive tree is associated with the dove in the story of Noah's ark and the olive tree’s ability to survive the flood demonstrates strength, even in the midst of difficult times. We continue to have hope that one day there will be peace between Israelis and Palestinians and we put an olive on our Seder plate to not give up on our desire for Peace.  

Four Questions to Engage with People who Think Differently 

At our Seder tables we know that we may be coming together with family members and friends that think differently than we do about the crisis in the Middle East. Anticipating difficult conversations, how can we create a place for open dialogue, for listening and conversation? The Union for Reform Judaism created four new questions to ask at our Seder this year enabling attendees to engage with open hearts and open minds. You can find the new four questions here. 

This Passover, I’m thinking about how I make our Seder more interactive. We use technology to engage multiple generations in retelling of our story.  Check out my Padlet with all of our resources here to spice up your seder with youtube videos, games, and more!

This Passover, I am thinking about a seder where we gather, not just to remember the story of the Exodus, but to experience and appreciate what it means to be free. Because true freedom isn’t just about leaving Egypt—it’s about how we choose to live, connect, and celebrate today.

This year during Passover, I will dedicate an empty chair and a special prayer in honor of the hostages of October 7. May this season of liberation bring hope, strength and, above all, freedom to all who are still waiting.