We dedicate the first cup of this Seder to ending the occupation.

(We fill our neighbors' cups.)

In Israel/Palestine, the occupation continues to deny freedom and dignity to Palestinians. It has been over 50 years of home demolitions, endless checkpoints, and the imprisonment of children and teenagers like Ahed Tamimi. The occupation is a daily nightmare for Palestinians and a moral disaster for the Israelis who are mandated to enforce it as well as all those around the world who uphold it.

This Seder is inspired in part by IfNotNow, a movement of young American Jews organizing to end our community's support for the occupation. We seek an American Jewish community that stands for freedom and dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians by ending its support for the occupation.

In this moment, our American Jewish community is faced with a choice: giving into the fear that upholds endless occupation, or moving towards a path of justice that ensures that both Israelis and Palestinians can live with freedom and dignity.

We are committed to peace - peace, not only as the absence of violence, but also as the presence of freedom and dignity for all people. With this commitment in mind, we bless the first cup of wine. (We raise our cups.)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech Haolam,
borei p'ri hagafen.

(We drink.)


haggadah Section: Kadesh