A Jewish organization wants to spark conversation this Passover about today’s rise in anti-Semitism by adding a modern twist to the traditional Seder meal.
“Passover is by far the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday of all Jewish holidays on the calendar,” says Archie, co-founder of New Jersey-based JewBelong. Gottesman said in an interview with FOX News Digital.
This year’s holiday begins at sunset on April 22, 2024.
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JewBelong is an organization dedicated to “supporting joyful Judaism and combating anti-Semitism,” its website says.
Each year, JewBelong publishes a free Haggadah, the book used to guide the Passover Seder, on its website.
This file image shows the 1936 Maxwell House Haggadah alongside the New York Seder plate. (AP Photo/Stace Mode)
In Hebrew, Haggadah means “to speak.” The Passover meal is called a seder, which means “command” in Hebrew.
This year, JewBelong has made several additions to the Haggadah – Gottesman said these additions are a timely and appropriate way to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism in the world.
“We’re going to make it meaningful for everyone sitting around the table today.”
“We don’t cut anything, we just make sure that everything that is in a traditional Seder is there… [also] We’re going to make sure it’s meaningful to everyone sitting around the table today because that’s what’s important,” she said.
Archie Gottesman, co-founder of the organization Jewish Belong, spoke to Fox News Digital about why he adds coffee to the seder table this Passover. The purpose is to raise awareness of anti-Semitism. (Fox News)
“And we want people to feel really inspired.”
This year is Haggadah It calls for special attention to various forms of anti-Semitism.
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“We have something called the ’10 plagues of anti-Semitism,'” Gottesman told FOX News Digital.
The retelling of Egypt’s 10 plagues is “a very important part of the traditional Seder,” Gottesman said.
Traditional seder plate. This year, the co-founders of a group called JewBelong proposed adding black coffee to the Seder table as a way to “wake up” to the rising tide of anti-Semitism around the world. (St. Petersburg)
In the book of Exodus, the ten plagues are described as plagues sent by God to the Egyptian Pharaoh to persuade him to free the Jews: water turning into blood, frogs, gnats, wild beasts, and livestock. Plague, boils, hail and fire, locusts, three days of darkness, and finally the death of the eldest son.
Traditionally, when retelling the Ten Plagues, those participating in the seder removed a drop of wine from their glasses.
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“That means there was pain and suffering during the 10 plagues,” she said.
“Passover is a celebration of Jewish freedom, but it cannot exist without the suffering of Egyptians.”
“Every time one of the plagues of anti-Semitism is mentioned, [a person] “I’m going to take a sip of black coffee,” she said, “to wake up to anti-Semitism.”
This year, the JewBelong Haggadah suggests adding something new to the Seder table. That’s a cup of black coffee.
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“Every time one of the plagues of anti-Semitism is mentioned, [a person] “I’m going to take a sip of black coffee,” she said, “to wake up to anti-Semitism.”
The “10 plagues of anti-Semitism” are listed by JewBelong as follows:
- silence
- silence of non-Jews
- anti israel
- Hamas
- hiding
- Stereotype/scapegoat
- tolerate hatred
- school
- Social media
- narrow-minded
“We cannot ignore the dangers facing Jews around the world,” the Haggadah says.
“Many of our ancestors came here as refugees, worked hard and contributed to society.”
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Hate will always exist, but “the ever-growing wave of anti-Semitism threatens the ability of Jews to live safely and with pride. It is important to take signs of hate seriously,” the Haggadah said. states..
One of the “ten scourges of anti-Semitism” is “schools.” JewBelong notes that since the start of the 2023-24 academic year, 73% of Jewish college students have reported experiencing anti-Semitism on campus. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)
This new tradition “brings the plague that we’re experiencing today to the Passover table,” Gottesman said.
She told Fox News Digital, “At JewBelong, we like to take from tradition and make it relevant to what’s going on today. Adding black coffee is, in a way, a way of saying, ‘Yeah, I’m not woke enough yet. It’s like saying, ‘There’s a lot of people.'” Anti-Semitism is happening. ”
“I can’t think of anything more important in the Jewish community right now than anti-Semitism.”
Gottesman said there is “so much beauty” in traditional religious practices, but “they don’t always resonate with people.”
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“I can’t think of anything more important in the Jewish community right now than anti-Semitism,” she added.
“Having a Passover Seder and not talking about it seems a little like not paying attention.”
This year’s JewBelong Haggadah also includes a special prayer for those still held hostage in Israel.
Jewish Belong’s Haggadah also includes a special prayer for the hostages still being held in Gaza. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
“Dates are grown in abundance in Israel,” Gottesman said, and the Haggadah suggests adding dates to the table of the Seder.
The date palm tree “symbolizes patience, abundance, and growth. The same is true for our brothers and sisters in Israel,” the Haggadah says.
“We just hope the hostages are released,” Gottesman said.
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And, she added, “How ironic.” “As we sit here in America celebrating our freedom, at the exact same time we have hostages who are not free and people are dying.”
“And we sincerely pray for peace,” Gottesman said.
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