As we come together this year the world can seem grim, and at times we are very tired and lose hope of any change occurring, especially with the pace and level of destruction the US government is perpetrating. What we drink to tonight is our community fomenting change together, around this table and around the world. We all are engaged in struggle, personally, in this country, and internationally.

We dedicate this first cup of wine to the workers around the world who have taken the streets, the buildings, the cities in protest of an economic system that oppresses us, starves us, keeps us unemployed and uninformed.

Tonight we come together to recount the story of the Exodus, the first example in the Jewish tradition of workers taking a stand against their oppressors and walking out to create a new society to free them from oppression. We continue in that tradition to this day, inspired by the millions who have come before us in the class struggle and the millions engaged right now in the project of liberation.

Let us all recite the blessing together:

Baruch atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei pri hagafen.

Blessed are you, Force of the universe who creates the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: Kadesh