We set the space and time with a blessing over grape juice or wine.
A Passover Blessing for People of Many Backgrounds Who Journey with Us by Rabbi Maurice Harris
Jews have always lived with, been surrounded by and existed in community with people of different traditions and backgrounds. This reading by Rabbi Maurice Harris gives us an opportunity to welcome anyone and everyone to our seder table, regardless of background.
From the Narrow Place: The four Cups of Wine by Rabbi Yael Levy
In this reimagined ritual, the seder’s four cups of wine help us leave mitzraim, the narrow place of anxiety and fear, and serve of symbols of meaning and hope.
“The Shehechiyanu Blessing” performed by Shabbat Unplugged for A Night of Questions *
This blessing thanks God for bringing us to this season in health and in joy. No matter where we are, no matter what we have or don’t have, we can be grateful for the opportunity to be alive and to breathe in this moment.
§ Curated and written by Rabbi Elyse Wechterman and Rabbi Maurice Harris. Sourced by Rabbi Michael Fessler, Tresa Grauer, Ph.D., Alison Houghton, Rabbi Maurice Harris, Jackie Land, Rabbi Alan LaPayover, Rabbi Vivie Mayer, Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Rabbi Micah Geurin Weiss, Cyd Weissman. Graphic by Rosa Cohen. Web development by Rabbi Michael Fessler.
* Music courtesy of Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein, Rabbi Myriam Klotz, Rabbi G. Rayzel Raphael, Juliet Spitzer, Rabbi Margot Stein and Rabbi Shawn Zevit. More of their music and the music of their bands, Shabbat Unplugged and Miraj, is available on Spotify, iTunes and CD Baby. Songs copyright ©Shabbat Unplugged and the Reconstructionist Press.