Five months after the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre, the people of Pittsburgh continue to mourn and heal — as do we. This Passover, there’s something special we can all do to pay our respects to the victims and have a broader impact: Consider participating in “2 for Seder.”
Begun by the daughter-in-law of Pittsburgh victim Joyce Fienberg, “2 for Seder” asks each of us to invite two non-Jews to our Passover tables. As Marnie Fienberg explains,
It’s a simple premise: Welcome two non-Jews to your Seder to build bridges to our neighbors. This activity helps address the misconceptions and misunderstandings that form the foundation for anti-Semitism and keeps us all in touch with what happened in Pittsburgh.
Our Jewish Federation communities have shown up for Pittsburgh before, whether through our interfaith vigil, by attending our security briefings, supporting #ShowUpForShabbat, or through our Night of Jewish Learning to mark shloshim, the end of the 30-day mourning period. The inspiring “2 for Seder” project to build community and cross-cultural connection has gotten a local boost from young Jewish Federation leaders Danielle Weiss and Mitch Sterling who, through their involvement with JFNA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, are working to help organize “2 for Seder” throughout the U.S. and Canada. They’ve even come up with a work-around for those of us who will be guests at someone else’s Seder: Instead, invite guests for the Shabbat before Passover, on April 12th! Then together, we’ll show our collective support for Pittsburgh by posting photos and reflections from those special evenings to the 2 for Seder Facebook page. Says Mitch, “We hope the entire Pittsburgh community will feel our special brand of collective Jewish Federation love.”
To find a list of Seders perfect for bringing along your community this Passover, click here.