(The leader also points to the Fair Trade Certified chocolate and says:)

Leader: This is Fair Trade Certified chocolate. It is grown under standards that prohibit the use of forced labor. It is on our seder plate to remind us that forced labor is still with us today.

Group: Once, we were slaves in Egypt.

Leader: Today, young children are toiling in the West African cocoa fields.

Group: Just as Moses grew up in the house of the Pharaoh, we have influence over those who exploit children in the cocoa fields.

Leader: We can walk in Moses’ footsteps. We can have the courage to ask the Pharoahs of today to let the children go.

Group: We feel our lives are busy. That we do not have the time. But where would we be if Moses did not take the time to lead us to freedom?

Leader: Where will those children be next year, if we do not take a little time to support their quest for freedom?

Group: Each year we say: “next year in Jerusalem.” This year, let us also say: “next year, an end to forced labor in the cocoa fields.”

Leader: Passover is not the only week in the year to think of forced labor and to dream of freedom for all. We can take action between this Passover and the next.

Group: Let us commit ourselves to looking for the Fair Trade Certified label whenever we enjoy chocolate, to help end the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

Leader: Let us partake of the taste of Fair Trade chocolate. It is chocolate that tastes not of exploitation, but of sweetness and freedom

By Michael Carniol


haggadah Section: Maggid - Beginning
Source: Michael Carniol