I was hard-boiling eggs the day before the inauguration, and I had the idea to make a sederLit. Order. The festive meal conducted on Passover night, in a specific order with specific rituals to symbolize aspects of the Exodus from Egypt. It is conducted following the haggadah, a book for this purpose. Additionally, there an ancient tradition to have a seder on Rosh Hashanah, which has been practiced in particular by Sephardi communities. This seder involves the blessing and eating of simanim, or symbolic foods. The mystics of Sefat also created a seder for Tu B'shvat, the new year of the trees. plate that would honor our coming out of the wilderness, the narrow place that has been this past administration, which was a symptom of so much of our history. I crowdsourced among friends, thought about what is meaningful to me, and what symbolism and representation I wanted to include in this ritual. I love that this is ultimately a collection of all of those things, and honors where we are and where we still need to go.
Ritual Items
Hard-boiled egg, the original inspiration, for life and renewal, out of the narrow place.
Pecan, for Georgia flipping the Senate, Stacey Abrams and all the amazing organizers I know, thank you.
Date, because time’s up! And really, for sweetness and sustenance, with homage to opening the fast on Ramadan with my Muslim sisters, for hopes that the Muslim Ban will be rescinded soon.
Salt water and parsley, for the tears of all the loss and pain and grief and sadness, and hopes for a coming spring.
Sage, for purification and cleansing, much needed!
Votive candle, for light and knowledge and wisdom, with gratitude to everyone who shared their lights during this dark time and made our days a little brighter.
ChallahBraided egg bread eaten on Shabbat and holidays. Reminiscent of bread eaten by Priests in the Temple, of manna in the desert, and sustenance in general. Plural: Hallot, for all the bread we baked, and because bread is a miracle.
The written word, “Let America Be America Again,” by Langston Hughes.
Postcard from a friend, in honor of friends who reach out, and postcards, and words I believe!
Elijah’s cup, to welcome the stranger; filled with Jamaican rum in honor of Kamala Harris, our soon-to-be new VP, and all the firsts she represents.
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, shehekheyanu, v’keyemanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.
Thank you to Jennifer Ryan, Simone Crespi, Michelle Peltier, Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Susan Waskow and Jessica Brenner Baskin for your ideas, to AaronBrother of Moses, chosen as Moses' interlocutor. His Hebrew name is Aharon. Fichtner for supporting, and to SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah. Brammer-Shlay for encouraging me to contribute this idea.
