The Topic:
Humans are bound together by our stories, our communities and our shared ritual of gathering to eat together - both in celebration and in times of struggle. History has proven that despite differences in looks, language or faith, there is so much more that unites us than that divides us. Although we have made strides towards racial justice in the last century, discrimination is still pervasive.
For our ancestors, it was the forced incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans in the US, The Chinese Exclusion Act and anti-Chinese sentiment, slavery and African Americans fighting for their freedom, civil rights in the US, the displacement of 850,000 Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa and the genocide of six million Jews in Europe. Today, it’s Islamophobia and the Muslim registry, violence and systemic racism towards the black community, the future of DREAMers and DACA, to name a few.
The story of Passover reminds us, over the course of a traditional meal, that just as our ancestors fought to establish themselves in unfamiliar lands, we are all wanderers. It also reminds us that despite our own freedom, we live in a fractured world, and it is our responsibility to repair it. Racism and discrimination exist everyday; making people feel less than, or that they don’t belong. It will continue to be pervasive in our country as long as we remain silent.
About Nourish
At Nourish, we help people come together, to heal, connect to their lineage and remember their rituals- whatever they may be and however they may need to evolve as the world evolves. We do this through inspiring story-telling, home cooking, interior design and hosting gatherings that will be remembered for generations to come.
Experts
See our blog post with information about everyone who participated!
Event Photos
Recommended Reading:
According to research done by Be’chol Lashon, 20% of American Jews identify as African American, Latinx, Asian, Sephardic, Mizrahi and mixed race. Discover traditions from diverse communities
- VOX: Everything you need to know about Passover (a great overview for Jews and Non-Jews)
- Haggadah Insert (We were slaves) from Repair the World and Be'Chol Lashon (In Every Tongue)
- Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality: Race, Ethnicity, Immigration Research
- Inspiration: Haggadah for Racial Justice (#BlackLivesMatter)
- Social Justice Definitions from The National Conference for
Community and Justice
Image: Sari Blum Photography
