Tonight, we will explore how recovery from substance use disorder connects to the traditions of Passover. Whether you are still using, you are in recovery, or you are supporting someone who is in recovery, you are invited to share your personal stories of liberation.

In Hebrew, seder means “order.” In the context of Passover, a seder is a ceremonious meal that includes a series of rituals to commemorate the story of Exodus. The haggadah (“telling” in Hebrew) is the text that guides us through the sequence of the seder and explains the significance of its customs.

This haggadah is simply here to remind us of a traditional seder’s framework and to inspire conversation– we can follow it, we can change it, or we can ignore it! We can choose new symbols of bitterness, sweetness, and rebirth. The Jewish tradition is to feel as if we ourselves are the Israelites in Egypt, so it is our duty to create customs that will make the experience even more real for us.

When the word “recovery” appears in this haggadah, feel free to interpret it however feels best to you. Maybe to you, recovery means going to meetings. Maybe it’s seeing your counselor. Maybe it’s meditating or walking the dog. When you see the term “use,” it can refer to any action that you believe has a negative impact on your wellness, not just substance use. Tonight, recovery is about finding a healthy lifestyle that serves you emotionally, mentally, and physically – whether you have personally struggled with substance use or not. Any process of tending to your wellbeing is a journey to freedom.


haggadah Section: Introduction