By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

We begin our journey through the Passover Seder, our journey from slavery to freedom. Through word and song, story and ritual, questions and more questions, we will relive the story of our ancestors’ exodus and liberation.
     --A Night of Questions Passover Haggadah

How many opportunities do you have to gather together with government officials, politicians, workforce development professionals, workers, labor activists, union organizers, and students whil singing songs, breaking bread (or, in this case, matzah), telling stories, and sharing examples of our modern day journey from slavery to freedom? One such opportunity occurred on March 29, 2012 at the Twelfth Annual  Labor Seder, sponsored by the Jewish Labor Committee. The Jewish Labor Committee is an independent secular organization that helps the Jewish community and the trade union movement work together on important issues of shared interest and concern.

This evening provided the opportunity to partake in the traditional (and not so traditional) Passover Seder, to recite the traditional (and not so traditional) Four Questions, and to diminish our joy when drinking the wine by naming the traditional (and not so traditional) societal cruelties and injustices that still exist today: Sexism, Racism, Homophobia, Modern Day Slavery, Genocide, Lack of Access to Affordable Healthcare, Anti-Semitism, Union Busting, Deportation and Homelessness.

As you sit at your own Passover Seders, be mindful of those who are still struggling right here in Massachusetts, such as temporary workers who are exploited and vulnerable, hotel workers who are fighting for a living wage and safe working conditions, airport workers who are denied healthcare and other benefits, and Verizon workers, who are seeing their sick days cut, and their jobs being dismantled bit by bit.

As we lift our cups of wine, may we envision a world where everyone has work, and without any discrimination, receives equal pay for equal work, and where everyone can enjoy rest and leisure and periodic holidays with pay.
     --Adapted from the Declaration of Human Rights