Ruth, as in The Book Of, as in the great-grandmother of King David, was part of an interfaith marriage. Ruth’s Mix welcomes everyone to the Seder table and honors the growing diversity of the Jewish people – those who were born Jewish, those who converted, those who are not Jewish, and those who just came for the singing and wine.

Everyone takes a bit of Ruth’s Mix, a combination of almonds, raisins and chocolate chips. Each of these ingredients is good on its own, but when mixed together they’re even better.

TOGETHER: May everyone who shares in a Jewish life feel welcome and integrated. We lovingly acknowledge the diversity of our community and are deeply grateful for the love and support you provide by opening your heart to Judaism, no matter how big or small a part it is in your day.

Your presence at this Jewish experience is valued. It is not taken for granted because not everyone in this broken world will sit at a Shabbat dinner or attend a Passover Seder. We are a very small people and history has made us smaller. As we once again see a rise in hatred and hear fear in the voices of our community, we are grateful for your presence. We pray with all our hearts that all you give to the Jewish people will come back to you and fill your life with joy. Amen.

Add When Reading To A Family Raising Kids: We offer special thanks to those who are raising their sons and daughters with Jewish identity. Our children mean hope, life and future. With all our hearts, we want to thank you for your love and willingness in giving the ultimate gift to the Jewish people. Amen.

- Adapted From Rabbi Janet Marder

CHAD GADYA, CHAD GADYA

 dizabin aba bitrei zuzei,

 chad gadya, chad gadya.

 Va'ata shunra,

 ve'achla legadya

 dizabin aba bitrei zuzei,

 chad gadya, chad gadya.

An only kid! An only kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the cat and ate the kid

 My father bought For two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the dog And bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought For two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the stick and beat the dog

 That bit the cat that ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the fire and burned the stick

 That beat the dog That bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the water and quenched the fire

 That burned the stick That beat the dog

 That bit the cat that ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the ox and drank the water

 That quenched the fire that burned the stick

 That beat the dog that bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the butcher and killed the ox

 Then came the ox and drank the water

 That quenched the fire that burned the stick

 That beat the dog that bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the angel of death and slew the butcher

 Then came the butcher and killed the ox

 Then came the ox and drank the water

 That quenched the fire that burned the stick

 That beat the dog that bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

Then came the Holy One, blest be He!

 And destroyed the angel of death

 Then came the angel of death and slew the butcher

 Then came the butcher and killed the ox

 Then came the ox and drank the water

 That quenched the fire that burned the stick

 That beat the dog that bit the cat

 That ate the kid

 My father bought for two zuzim

 Chad gadya, Chad gadya

May you grant my family and all Israel a good and long life. Remember us with blessings and kindness. Give me the opportunity to raise my children and grandchildren to be truly wise and people of truth. Please hear my prayer at this time. Regard me as a worthy descendant of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and let my candles never be extinguished. Let the light of Your face shine upon us. Amen.

The day ends. The earth turns from sunshine to dusk and then to darkness. We assume for ourselves the task of kindling candles in the night, to enlighten the dark corners of our world. We still live in perilous times. Behind us, though receding into the memories of even the oldest among us, we can still sense the fires of Auschwitz and Hiroshima. Before us, the threat of acts of terrorism and gun violence. We gather tonight to create from fire, not the heat of destruction, but the light of instruction; indeed to see more clearly the wisdom, strength and caring that glows from within each of us.

TOGETHER: May these candles, lit on the Festival of Freedom, bring light into our hearts and minds. May they renew our courage to act for justice and freedom here and now. May they illumine the path to truth, justice and peace. And so we repeat the ancient blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁלְ (שַבָת וְשֶל) יֹום טֹוב

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam,
asher kiddishanu b’mitzvotav,
v’tzivanu lehadlik neir shel [Shabbat v'shel] Yom Tov.

We praise God, spirit of everything,
who has made us distinct through Your directives
and has directed us to kindle [the Shabbat] and holiday lights.

The telling of the story of Passover is framed as a discussion with questions and answers. The tradition that the youngest person asks the questions reflects the idea of involving everyone at the Seder.

מַה נִּשְּׁתַּנָה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת

Ma nishtana halaila hazeh mikol haleilot?

 Why is this night different from all other nights?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה - כּוּלוֹ מַצָּה

1) Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin chameitz u-matzah. Halaila hazeh, halaila hazeh kulo matzah. (x2)

 Why is it that on all other nights during the year we eat either bread or matzo, but on this night we eat only matzo?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר

2) Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin shi’ar yirako. Halaila hazeh, haleila hazeh maror. (x2)

 Why is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night we eat only bitter herbs?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אֶנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים

3) Shebichol haleilot ain anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat. Halaila hazeh, halaila hazeh shtei fi-amim. (x2)

 Why is it that on all other nights we do not dip our herbs even once, but on this night we dip them twice?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָנו מְסֻ

4) Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin. Halaila hazeh, halaila hazeh kulanu m’subin. (x2)

 Why is it that on all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night we eat in a reclining position?

Adapted from Rabbi Ayelet Cohen 

Our God and God of our ancestors, bless this country and all who dwell within it. Help us to experience the blessings of our lives and circumstances, to be vigilant, compassionate, and brave. Strengthen us when we are afraid, help us to channel our anger, so that it motivates us to action. Help us to be humble in our fear, knowing that as vulnerable as we feel, there are those at greater risk, and that it is our holy work to stand with them.

Help us to taste the sweetness of liberty, to not take for granted the freedoms won in generations past. Source of all life, guide our leaders with righteousness, that they may use their influence and authority to speak truth and act for justice. May all who dwell in this country enjoy its freedoms, and be protected by its laws. May this nation use its power and wealth to be a voice for justice, peace, and equality for all who dwell on earth.

May we be strong and have courage to be bold in our action and deep in our compassion, to uproot bigotry, intolerance, and violence in all its forms, to celebrate the many faces of God reflected in the wondrous diversity of humanity, to welcome the stranger and the immigrant and to honor the gift of those who seek refuge and possibility here, as they have since before this nation was born. Let justice well up like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Amen.