Leader:
The Shehechiyanu prayer is recited for all Jewish holidays and special moments, as a way of thanking God for helping us to reach this time.

Recite together:
Baruch ata adonai, eloheinu melech haolam, shehechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh. 

ברוך אתה י-י אלוקינו מלך הולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has kept us in life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has given us this opportunity to join together in acknowledging the pain of our ancestors’ slavery, the joy of their freedom, and the oppression still present in our communities today.

Table Discussion

Please introduce yourself to your tablemates, and share what brought you to today’s seder. Then break into pairs and spend five minutes discussing some of the following questions:

  • ● Is there anything that you have learned so far that has surprised you?
    ● Have you had any experience with the criminal justice system? Was your experience positive or negative?
    ● What do you think are appropriate consequences for drug offenses? 


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: Baltimore Social Justice Seder