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Community Corner

Bet Haverim Seder to Focus on National Immigration Debate

Rabbi Joshua Lesser said he wants to connect the ancient story of Exodus to the present for his congregants.

An area synagogue is taking a creative approach to observing a traditional Jewish holiday. , located on Clairmont Road, is promoting a Passover celebration that focuses on the issue of immigration. The seder, or ritual Passover service and feast, will take place on Tuesday, April 19.

Jews observe Passover every spring to mark the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as described in the Bible's Old Testament. Seders are held on the first and second nights of the eight day holiday.

Bet Haverim Rabbi Joshua Lesser said this year's seder was organized to connect the ancient story of the Exodus to modern issues.

“For our community, retelling the Exodus story year after year is important,” he said. “However, what’s essential is how to relate ancient narratives to the present.”

The congregation’s community service committee chair, Mike Finesilver, asserted that the Georgia legislature’s recent effort to pass more stringent immigration laws inspired the idea.

“I think there are very few people in the congregation who weren’t horrified that Georgia wanted to model policies around Arizona’s legislation,” Finesilver said.

Arizona recently passed a controversial law that allows police to question anyone they suspect is in the country illegally. The Georgia Senate approved a similar piece of legislation this week.

Finesilver and Lesser emphasized that the congregation will welcome all viewpoints in its dialogue Tuesday night.

“I think as a community we’re very open to dissent,” Finesilver said. “It’s very important if you have a diverse congregation that everybody’s voices are heard. Mainly that is why we are focusing on personal stories.”

Lesser said the seder will incorporate traditional elements of the Passover celebration while setting aside time for participants to tell their personal stories of immigration. The Jewish community’s immigrant past will serve as a catalyst to discuss current immigration issues.

“As a Jewish community we have all immigrated here one way or another,” said Lesser. “It will be a ground-up dialogue.”

The congregation’s unique history will also play a role in the discussion. Bet Haverim was originally founded by members of Atlanta’s gay and lesbian community “on behalf of lesbian and gay Jews who wanted to live openly in the context of their Jewish heritage,” according to the synagogue’s website.

Lesser said that the synagogue’s membership is now 60 percent straight households and 40 percent gay households. He indicated that Bet Haverim’s history “allows (the congregation) to create a sense of empathy.”

The rabbi added that he hopes that the seder will inspire participants to take action.

“I would want people to leave recognizing that Passover is not a passive ritual,” he stressed. “It invites us to continue upholding the values of liberation and freedom for ourselves and our people.”

Bet Haverim’s seder is part of an immigration-themed month at the synagogue. The month has featured a sabbath lecture by an immigration lawyer and the compiling of a map that showcases congregants’ global origins.

You can find out more about Bet Haverim’s immigration seder, including information about RSVP’s, by visiting http://cbhatlanta.org/passover.html.

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