opinions & letters
Here’s Why I’m
Sticking to the Basics
on My Seder Plate
BY RABBI SARI LAUFER
O lives. Tomatoes. Oranges. Artichokes.

Dates. Cotton balls. And, now, sunflowers.

This list might seem like a setup for a logic
puzzle or a grocery run. But it is, instead, a
(non-exhaustive) list that I have seen of addi-
tions to the seder plate, items to highlight
and include stories and histories that are not,
at least explicitly, part of the Passover seder.

On its surface, it is a noble goal — why
shouldn’t we consider the plight of Ukrainians
in spring 2022 (sunflowers), or remember the
American history of slavery (cotton ball)?
Wouldn’t we want to honor the farm workers
who put food on our tables (tomatoes), or
intertwine the story of the Palestinians along
with our own (olives)? In my own family, my
mother insists on the orange on the seder
plate, regardless of its apocryphal origin as
feminist symbol.

But I won’t be adding anything to my plate.

As a rabbi, teacher and mother, I’m sticking
with the traditional items.

My decision to eschew seder plate innova-
tion stems from the thinking about inclusion
that I do all the time in my work. Both in
encountering ancient text and modern com-
munity, I am always asking: Who is not in the
room? Whose voices are not being heard? I
know that the language I use, that we use,
matters; I think carefully about the stories I
tell, the translations I use, and the questions I
ask. When I preach, when I teach, my hope is
always that anyone, regardless of how they
identify, sees themselves in the text and in
the message.

At the same time, I am always aware that
by naming one story, or one identity, I might
be excluding another.

One of the great tensions of Jewish life
in the 21st century is between universalism
— the central themes and ideas of Jewish
wisdom that speak to all of the human expe-
rience — and particularism, the doctrines
and injunctions meant to distinguish Jewish
practice and ritual from that of the rest of the
world. And of all of our stories, it is perhaps
Passover that best embodies this tension.

It is a story embraced by Jews, by Black
Americans, by Christians the world over. It is
our story, to be sure. But it is also a story for
anyone, and everyone, who has ever known
AIPAC Off the Rails
The recent actions of AIPAC are disgusting (AIPAC’s Defense
of Extremist Candidates Is Indefensible,” March 31).

It has clearly forgotten the adage, “When you lie down with
dogs you get up with fleas.” In cozying up to white suprema-
cists, it is reminiscent of misguided Jews in early the ‘30s in
Germany who cozied up to Hitler in the hopes of becoming
“honorary Aryans.” We all know how that worked out.

AIPAC should remember the words of Martin Niemöller,
the last of which (to paraphrase) were “but when I looked
around for help there was nobody left, they had all been
taken.” When the extremists are finished with the LBGTQ
community, the Black and brown communities, who do you
think they will come for next?
One can only hope that there will be an upwelling of
communal outrage and ecclesiastical leadership to consign
AIPAC to the dustbin of history where it so rightly belongs.

The state of Israel deserves better.

Richard Saunders
Chincoteague, Virginia
AIPAC Unfairly Blamed
After reading Jon Greenwald’s op-ed about AIPAC’s
endorsement of what he calls Republicans who undermined
American democracy and deniers of free and fair elections
(AIPAC’s Defense of Extremist Candidates Is Indefensible,”
March 31), I was stunned by his one-sided and unfair analysis
of AIPAC’s actions.

First, AIPAC tries to be evenhanded since it knows that
being as biased as Greenwald’s wishes would be very bad
for Israel.

Second, did Greenwald miss Stacey Abrams’ refusal
to concede in her election defeat for governor? How about
Hillary Clinton’s claim, with absolutely no evidence provided,
for her belief that her 2016 presidential bid was stolen? The
icing on the cake is several Democrats’ attempt to not certify
See Laufer, Page 20 Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential win.

Greenwald’s calling that extremism is an indictment not of
his Republican targets but rather of him.

Steve Heitner
Middle Island, New York
diligent / iStock / Getty Images Plus
New Exponent Format a Hit
We greatly enjoy the new format that is the Jewish Exponent.

It’s especially informative and refreshing to read about peo-
ple in or connected to the Jewish community reaching out to
make a positive impact on society.

In the April 7 issue alone, articles on the new regional
director of JAFI, Jefferson doctors contributions to a space
mission, “Progress Blooms in the Desert” and your opinion
piece centered on the recent historic meeting of the signers
of the Abraham accord were excellent examples of this.

In light of the plethora of negativity and dissension so
prevalent in our society, these articles are a breath of fresh
air. JE
Sharon and Bob Altman
Yardley Letters should be related to articles that have run in the print or online editions
of the JE, and may be edited for space and clarity prior to publication. Please
include your first and last name, as well your town/neighborhood of residence.

Send letters to letters@jewishexponent.com.

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