Since 2007, Israelis and African asylum seekers have come together for an annual interfaith Refugee Seder in Tel Aviv where they honor both ancient and modern exodus stories at Passover time.
This year, Refugee Seders will be held in three places: Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, outside of the Holot “open” facility in an isolated area of the Negev desert where approximately 1,500 African asylum seekers are housed in indefinite detention, and outside of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. These events intend to bring Jews and non-Jews together to celebrate freedom and show solidarity with the more than 50,000 people who escaped war, violence, or persecution in their home countries and are seeking protection in Israel.
Who/What: In Israel, the Refugee Seders are co-organized by T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Right Now: Advocates for African Asylum Seekers in Israel, BINA, the African Refugee Development Center (ARDC), ASSAF: Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel, Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, the Eritrean Community Women’s Center, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Shalom Hartman Institute, Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, and others.
The Washington, DC Refugee Seder is co-organized by T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Right Now: Advocates for African Asylum Seekers in Israel, Partners for Progressive Israel, Ameinu, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Hashomer Hatzair North America, Habonim Dror North America, Darfur Interfaith Network, and Act for Sudan.
Where/When: The Refugee Seder in Washington, DC will be on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, outside of the Embassy of Israel (3514 International Drive, NW).
The Refugee Seder in Tel Aviv will be on Thursday, April 10, 2014, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, in Rabin Square.
The Refugee Seder outside of the Holot “open” detention facility will be Friday, April 11, 2014, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Buses will depart from Levinsky Park at 10:00 am and return before Shabbat begins. Journalists who would like to reserve a spot on one of these buses should contact Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg at the email address or phone number provided.
More information may be found at the Freedom Seder Facebook page at www.facebook.com/refugeeseder or at www.truah.org/refugeeseder.