Tonight, we are here to share a story.

It is the story of how the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt. Although they were afraid, they chose to rise up together. They risked their lives to ensure that their children, and their children's children would live in freedom.

Tonight, we are here to remember.

Through prayer and song, ritual and symbol, custom and ceremony, we fulfill the command to "look upon ourselves although we  were among those enslaved and then brought forth unto freedom. "This self-indentification with the past of our people helps us to appreciate the freedom that is ours - and to understand more fully the plight of those of our people who still dwell under the shadow of tyranny. The Seder calls upon us to do all in our power to emancipate them from oppression. If a people is anywhere exploited and oppressed, then nowhere is freedom really secure.The seder summons us to vigilance in the struggle to preserve and advance the cause of freedom and human dignity. Tonight we remember and renew that commitment.

Tonight, we are here to celebrate.

We celebrate family and friendship. We celebrate the freedom that we all share together.


haggadah Section: Introduction