Action-PSJ Haggadah Supplement and Virtual Gathering
Spirutally Together While Physically Apart
Passover is one of my favorite holidays. One of the most observed Jewish holidays, Passover celebrates liberation. I am grateful this year to welcome family and friends to join my table for the Seder, the holiday meal. As I prepare my home to celebrate Passover, my thoughts turn to Ukraine, especially my friends, colleagues, and the people we care for there.
This Passover is the second time we will observe the holiday while Ukraine fights for freedom. Despite the size of the enemy army, the people of Ukraine battle for liberty. They battle for home. They continue to stand tall despite the destruction, the blackouts, the food shortages, sporadically functioning communications systems, the bombed hospitals, and ongoing alarms when the bombing begins.
The elderly Jews and people with disabilities that Action for Post-Soviet Jews serves share in that determination. Despite poverty, food, and electricity shortages, our bubbies and zaydes refuse to give in, remaining in their homes despite the destruction around them. They, too, are making a stand against the Russian invasion. Action-PSJ is proud to stand with them, providing the humanitarian aid and support they need to maintain such resilience.
The Passover themes of finding freedom and establishing a home have incredible relevance to what our Ukraninan brothers and sisters are enduring today. That is why Action for Post-Soviet Jewry has created a unique supplement you can include in your Seder. In it, you’ll find readings, prayers, and simple suggestions to keep us mindful of the plight of Ukraine.
Additionally, please join us for a virtual gathering -Spiritually Together While Physically Apart. on Sunday, April 2nd, at 10:00 am ET.
As we approached Passover, the coordinators wondered if there was a way they could celebrate together even though they were apart. We will light candles and taste matzah and wine, and our colleagues in Ukraine will reflect on freedom, exodus, redemption, and action.
You can participate in this program in English and Russian. We will present some of the prayers in Ukrainian. With ongoing power outages in Ukraine, we were not sure we could host this; however, the desire to be together is so strong we will try. Register here to join spiritually together:
One of the most striking readings in the supplement is a prayer for peace, written in Ukraine 200 years ago by Rabbi Nathan Sternharz (1780-1845), chief disciple and scribe of the renowned mystic Rabbi Nachman of Breslove. While written two centuries ago, the words ring true today. I am sharing an excerpt here.
Let Peace Fill The Earth as Waters Fill The Sea
May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease,
When a great peace will embrace the whole world.
Then nation will not threaten nation,
At the beginning of the Seder, we read, “Let all who are hungry, come and eat, all who are needy, come share Passover with us.” This Action-PSJ supplement will help us share Passover with the Jews in need in Ukraine and remind us of our obligation to help the needy wherever they may be.
Action for Post-Soviet Jewry has provided humanitarian aid and support for needy Jewish elders and people with disabilities throughout the war. Our incredibly resourceful network of local Action Community Coordinators and partner organizations know who those in need are, what they need (blankets, clothing, medications, and matzah, too), and how we can get it to them while war rages on.
Our unique, grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor approach, both here and in Ukraine, ensures your local support has a global impact.
The supplement is free, and donations t o support our humanitarian services in Ukraine is appreciated.
L’shana habah b’Yerulayem, next year in Jerusalem! And may the year bring peace across Ukraine and worldwide.
Chag Pesach Sameach.
Debbie Kardon
Executive Director
Action-PSJ
