Antiviolence Haggadah

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs &

Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation

Chicago Stories of Violence and Its Impact 4 Nisan 5774

3 April 2014

#Handguns2Hope

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“There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is.”

— Isaac Bashevis Singer

Welcome to the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs’ Annual Justice Seder. For hundreds of years, Jews have gathered around their dinner tables with family and friends to remember and celebrate the Exodus from Egypt and the ongoing pursuit of human justice and liberty. This year, we shine a light on the raging gun violence that plagues our brothers and sisters across Chicago. As Passover ushers in the spring, we hope and pray it is a time of renewal and rejuvenation in our work together to combat modern day plagues. We are honored that you have joined us tonight as we affirm our collective power and responsibilities to one another. May the year ahead be blessed with joy and positive change.

Judy Levey, JCUA Executive Director

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Opening Prayer

Rabbi Capers Funnye, Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken

All read bold text together

Long ago at this season, our people set out on a journey

On a night as this, Israel went from degradation to joy

We give thanks for the liberation of days gone by

And we pray for all who are still bound Eternal God, may all who hunger

come to rejoice in a new Passover Let all the human family sit at Your table, drink the wine of

deliverance, eat the bread of freedom:

Freedom from bondage/and freedom from oppression

Freedom from hunger/and freedom from want

Freedom from hatred/and freedom from fear

Freedom to think/and freedom to speak

Freedom to teach/and freedom to learn

Freedom to love/and freedom to share

Freedom to hope/and freedom to rejoice

Soon, in our days/Amen

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Shehecheyanu

This blessing is said whenever we do something for the first time or for the rare occasions. Tonight is the first time this special group has gathered together in community to celebrate Passover.

We also extend a special welcome to everyone who is at their first JCUA Seder!

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם, שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam she’hecheyanu v’kiyamanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

Blessed is the Eternal, for giving us life, for sustaining us and bringing us to this time

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The Seder Plate Everything on the Seder plate symbolizes an aspect of the Exodus.

Zeroa

A roasted bone (or beet) that represents the Passover sacrifice offered while the Temple stood in Jerusalem (before 70 CE).

Beitza

A roasted egg, which represents both the Passover offering and the cycle of life and death.

Maror

A bitter herb, which reminds us of the bitterness of enslavement.

Charoset

A mixture of fruit, nuts, wine, and spices, which represents the mortar our ancestors used to build the structures in Mitzrayim (Egypt).

Karpas

A green vegetable, which symbolizes hope and renewal.

Chazeret

A second bitter vegetable that many include on the Seder plate.

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Order of the Seder

Kadesh Sanctifying the holiday

Urchatz Ritual washing of the hands

Karpas Green vegetable dipped in salt water

Yachatz Breaking the middle matzah

Maggid Telling the story of Passover

Rachtza Washing the hands before the meal

Motzi Blessing before eating

Matzah Eating the matzah

Maror Eating the bitter herb

Korech Sandwich of bitter herbs & charoset

Shulchan Orech The meal

Tzafun Finding the afikomen

Barech Grace after meal

Hallel Offering songs of praise

Nirtzah Concluding the Seder

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The Seder Passover celebrates the redemption of the Jews from enslavement in Egypt. This traditional story of defiance against brutality and slavery has inspired countless men and women to achieve freedom in our own times.

As the haggadah says, “B'khol dor v’dor chayav adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatza mi’Mitzrayim,” – “from generation to generation, each of us is obligated to see ourselves as though we personally had just been freed from slavery.” We must remember the past to understand today and to protect our tomorrows.

Therefore, in each generation and each year, we retell the story of the exodus to our children and to our grandchildren, in order that they, too, will understand the pain of slavery and the value of freedom.

Our story is the story of all people who have ever been in bondage, and this story compels us to work toward freedom for those who remain physically, spiritually, or economically enslaved.

Let us therefore celebrate our freedom and strengthen ourselves to join the fight against injustice wherever it exists. In the words of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

Our theme for the night is handgun violence and we will reflect on the many ways in which we can work for a more just and peaceful city.

“He who takes one life, it is as though he has destroyed the universe, and he who saves one life, it is as though he has saved the universe.”

— Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5

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Kaddeish (the blessing over wine) | kadeish | קדש

THE FIRST CUP: Identifying Root Causes of

Handgun Violence Rev. Dr. Marci Richards, Fierce Women of Faith

We see the power of community working on many levels at JCUA. At our core is a belief that we must stand in solidarity with marginalized communities, especially with those communities most impacted by handgun violence. We look to these communities for guidance in our own work, identifying where we can help bring about meaningful change.

To create change, we also connect with the power of Jewish communities, building upon a faith tradition that places truth and justice at its center. In partnering with impacted communities and mobilizing the power of Jewish faith and people, we seek to change the landscape of our city - to make Chicago more humane and just.

ברוך אתה יי, אלהינו מלך העולם, בורא פרי הגפן:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

Blessed is the One who sustains all life and brings forth fruit from the earth

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Breaking the middle matzah | Yachatz | יחץ

Take a piece of matzah from the middle of the stack. Break it into two pieces. Place the smaller piece of matzah between two whole matzot.

Matzah is called “lechem oni,” the bread of affliction. In breaking the matzah in half, we remind ourselves that as long as anyone in the world is afflicted, none of us can be whole. The division of the matzah also reminds us of the forced division of communities and families due to the debilitating effects of handgun violence.

Uncover the matzah and raise it for all to see.

Now we will hide one half of this piece of matzah. At our Seder this evening, the hidden piece of matzah, the afikomen, represents the hidden Chicago communities plagued by gun violence.

Until these divided parts are made one again, our Seder cannot truly be ended. Until these families and communities are made whole, we have not yet achieved our freedom.

— Adapted from the Shalom Center Haggadah, Pesach 2004/5764

Send one piece of matzah to be hidden.

“In fact, most of the names of the tens of thousands of people whose lives are ended with a gun in this country each year are anonymous to us, unless we are the husband, the wife, the child, the grandchild, or the friend.”

— Rabbi Joel Mosbacher

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THE SECOND CUP: Voices from Directly Impacted Communities

Tamar Manasseh, Mothers Against Senseless Killings

We know that lasting, systemic change is the only way to create a different kind of city and society than the one in which we now live. The power of organized people is the collective force which can make this kind of profound change a reality. At JCUA, we organize in, among, and with different communities of people, listening to their stories and building the kind of power that demands a response.



Blessed is the One who sustains all life and brings forth fruit from the earth

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Four Questions for Today

Power of Questions/ Questioning of Power

“But these are not the only questions we could ask. Any question is a way in. And every question is an act of freedom. So let us ask new questions, our own questions.”

— Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Freedom Seder Questions for Today: What are the root causes of handgun violence? How are you connected to the root causes of handgun violence? What are some practical solutions to handgun violence? How can we build and wield our power to make changes to

the root causes of gun violence? Tonight we unite across differences of place, background, culture, and economics to share the story of Passover and stories of gun violence in Chicago; and to reach and inspire one another to continue in this holy work. Tonight is different because we have come to a place we have not been before, perhaps to a place we do not often travel, or perhaps a different kind of Seder. Tonight is different because we will make it different.

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Maggid Louder Than a Bomb Teams

The heart of the Haggadah and the Seder is the mitzvah or commandment to tell the Passover story to our children. While we include the youngest to engage them, they also engage us. The “whys” of the innocent compel us to answer truthfully, not only about past injustices but about the inhumanity and inequity in the world today.

The Passover Story Passover celebrates the redemption of the Jewish people. According to the biblical story, the Jews served as slaves in Egypt, where they built storehouses and palaces for Pharaoh. Pharaoh made their lives miserable by setting strict taskmasters over them and by decreeing that all newborn Jewish boys be killed.

Through Moses, a son of an Israelite slave raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, God redeemed the Jewish people from slavery and led them through the wilderness for forty years on the way to the Promised Land.

To many, the biblical story of Passover today represents all liberation struggles, past and present. Every year at the Seder table, as we tell the ancient story, we also remember the liberation struggles still under way and commit ourselves to these struggles.

The Story We Tell Tonight:

Handgun Violence

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The Ten Plagues Rev. Dr. Marci Richards, Fierce Women of Faith

As we recite each plague we dip a finger in our wine glass and spill out one drop of wine, thereby acknowledging that our own joy is diminished by the memory of Egyptian suffering. The tradition reminds us that when-ever people are oppressed, the oppressors suffer as well. This year we recognize ten modern plagues of humankind, with the hope that our gen-eration, and every generation — b’chol dor vador — shall struggle to end them.

From Generation to Generation B’chol dor vador. In every generation the struggle for equality continues.

Structural Racism Disinvestment/Economic Withdrawal From

Communities and Lack of Resources Misplaced Anger Educational Structure Lack of Healthy Food Stores Inadequate Health Coverage Police Militarization and Brutality Dysfunctional Family Structure Socio-Economic Stagnation Death of Youth

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Ritual hand-washing in preparation for the meal Rachtza | רחצה

It is customary to perform a ritual washing of one’s hands before consuming a meal that includes bread or matzah. After we wash our hands, we recite the blessing.

על נטילת ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו, וצונו ידים:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al n’tilat yadayim. Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to wash our hands.

The blessing over the meal and matzah Motzi Matzah | מוציא מצה

The motzi blessing marks the formal start of the meal. Because we are using matzah instead of bread, we add a blessing celebrating this mitzvah.

ברוך אתה יי, אלהינו מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

ברוך אתה יי, אלהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על אכילת מצה:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat matzah.

Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to eat matzah.

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Maror | מרור

We take a piece of the bitter herb from the Seder plate and prepare to eat it.

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על אכילת מרור:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

Blessed are you, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to eat maror.

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THE THIRD CUP: Solutions to Gun Violence

Mark Walsh, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence

People often say that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders when, in fact, youth have the potential to be powerful leaders right now. The youth we meet, train, and develop as leaders at JCUA through Or Tzedek have the passion and drive to make a difference in their communities. Equipped with organizing skills, they have the power to go out and make good things happen. Only by creating a cross-generational awareness of inequality and a hunger for social activism can a just society truly be created — in the present and for years to come.



Blessed is the One who sustains all life and brings forth fruit from the earth.

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THE FOURTH CUP: Call to Action

Rabbi Ben Greenberg, JCUA

The strength of our city lies in its diversity, but too often we are isolated from one another geographically, economically, historically, or spiritually. JCUA engages in the unique and necessary work of building relationships between communities who are brought together through a shared vision for a just city. Amidst our diversity, we find strength in solidarity.



Blessed is the One who sustains all life and brings forth fruit from the earth.

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DAYEINU: It would have been enough The song “Dayeinu” celebrates the steps of the Jewish people on the path to liberation. Today however, we have new goals and challenges and therefore add to the traditional lyrics of the song. Ilu hotzi, hotzi anu, hotzi anu mi Mitzraiyim, dayeinu. Ilu natan, natan lanu, natan lanu et haTorah, dayeinu. Chorus: Dai, dayeinu (repeat 3xs), dayeinu dayeinu dayeinu (repeat) If God had only brought us out of Egypt, it would have been enough — DAYEINU! If God had only given us the Torah, it would have been enough — DAYEINU! When the natural world is cared for and protected for the benefit of all the people — DAYEINU! When all war stops and all the nations are disarmed — DAYEINU! When none are poor while others are rich — DAYEINU! When race no longer effects safety, security, well being, or quality of life — DAYEINU! When communities can plan for tomorrow without fear of gun violence — DAYEINU! When all people can live in freedom, regardless of religious beliefs, immigration status, race, or gender — DAYEINU!

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Shulchan Orech The meal is served!

Tzafun After the meal, we “redeem” the afikomen and

divide it among those at the Seder.

Barech

Hallel “We Give Thanks” At this point in the Seder, we offer words of joy at our liberation.

Open for me the gates of righteousness, and I will enter therein.

(Psalms 119:19, included in the traditional Hallel liturgy)

Nirtzah Our Seder is now complete, but our work is not. This year, we celebrate Passover in a city and

world in which many are still affected by gun violence.

Next year, may we celebrate Passover in a world that is more peaceful and just!

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Hinei Mah Tov! (All Sing)

נעים -טוב ומה-הנה מה שבת אחים גם יחד

Hinei mah tov umah na’im

Shevet achim gam yachad How sweet it is to be with our brothers and sisters together in community!

About Our Partners

Born out of necessity, Mothers Against Senseless Killings organizes parents, especially mothers, at the grassroots level to bring a strong

presence to the fight against violence—offering supplemental support to police and other agencies in the effort to keep children safe, fighting for stricter gun control laws, acting as a resource for the collectivization of parental voices, and to spotlight the domestic war that is being waged in the inner cities and now the quietest corners of this country.

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Since 2001, Louder Than a Bomb has given youth a platform to share their stories. This spoken-word competition allows students from any neighborhood, suburb or region to listen, share and build a community. Louder Than a Bomb’s poetry teams address racism, sexism, violence and segregation through the art of spoken word. Their art gives them

an outlet and helps us understand the obstacles we all must address to build a better Chicago. You will be inspired by their insightful performance. ► www.youngchicagoauthors.org

For the past year, Fierce Women of Faith has worked tirelessly to increase peace in our city. Launched last summer to mobilize women of faith to address the gun violence epidemic plaguing neighborhoods in communities of color, today they are hundreds of members strong and have taken a holistic approach to addressing gun violence. From offering public witness to training community leaders and pursuing legislation, Fierce Women of Faith have been invaluable partners in advancing solutions to gun violence. ►www.aaastudios.com/FWF/FWF/Welcome.html

Last summer, Illinois enacted the state's first concealed carry gun law. This new law threatens to make guns and gun violence even more widespread. The Illinois Coalition against Handgun Violence has launched a campaign to address these issues and pursue legislative

avenues of gun violence prevention. By working to reverse our state’s legislative backslides on gun control, ICHV plays a crucial role in the fight against violence in Chicago and Illinois. ► www.ichv.org

About the Synagogue

Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation is the oldest temple in the Chicago area serving the Israelite community, led by Rabbi Capers Funnye. Beth Shalom is an affiliate congregation of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis Inc. and affirms the brotherhood of all people

who worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob without regard to tradition or terminology. ► www.bethshalombz.org

Or Tzedek is JCUA’s year-round teen institute for social justice. Through hands-on service, teen-led social action projects and education about Jewish values and social justice, teens learn about challenges facing Chicago’s diverse communities and take action to combat them. Activism and Community Organizing June 15-29 & Advanced Activism July 27-August 10. Sign up now for Summer 2014! ► www.ortzedek.org

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Sections of this Haggadah were adapted from, and inspired by, the following sources:

Camp Kinderland 2003 Haggadah

A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah (Reconstructionist Press)

The Shalom Center Haggadah, Pesach 2004/5764

Love and Justice in Times of War Haggadah

The Jewish Organizing Initiative Haggadah

The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs combats poverty, racism, and anti-Semitism in partnership

with Chicago’s diverse communities.

To learn more about JCUA and to get involved, we invite you to become a member!

Call us at 312.663.0960 or visit www.jcua.org/join

Documents

Antiviolence Haggadah