BHC First Annual Seder

On Friday, April 25th, we returned to a tradition many of us used to enjoy, with some modifications. We held the first annual Brooklyn Humanist Community Seder. Using the Seder written in part by Eric Freudenthal and then elaborated on by Lois Kellerman, I borrowed most of it but trimmed it down considerably, and added a few modern touches to our new Humanist Hagaddah.

I added the poem by Hannah Senesh to read before we lit the candles:

Blessed is the match, consumed in kindling flame.
Blessed is the flame that burns in the heart's secret places.
Blessed is the heart that knows, for honor's sake, to stop its beating.
Blessed is the match, consumed in kindling flame.

Other bits I added included the story of Moses putting the coal in his mouth and becoming a slow, stammering speaker. I wanted to illustrate the point that not all speakers for justice and freedom are eloquent, yet they deserve to have their voices heard. We added the Cup of Miriam along with Elijah's Cup. Miriam's cup is full of water, filled up by a woman. The story is that because of Miriam's courage, a well filled with water followed the Hebrews as they trekked through the desert. It's purpose is to honor women's role in the struggles for freedom.

Finally, we added an orange to the Seder plate to symbolize the idea that new rituals can be added to the old, and that there are people still in need of liberation today.

There was such a good turnout that Antoinette and Michael had to split the Seder into two rooms. As usual the food was excellent. We had the traditional items, matzohball soup, matzohs, horseradish, and charoses (Jean brought one made of apple butter and crushed nuts). Roger brought a delicious dish of spicy curried sweet potatoes! Seders are definitely an occasion for a food orgy and this one was surely that.

Annette brought a tape of Passover songs and we listened and sang along to Dayenu and some other more modern tunes. All in all it was a festive occasion and a great success. To an extent it was nostalgic but it was also a great triumph to bring back a joyous ritual we remembered from years gone by.