On July 1, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor partnered with Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) and Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with an American Seder: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Democracy. The Seder was sponsored by A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy and was inspired by a seder that community member Amnon Rosenthal (a”h) conducted for his wife, Prue, and family and friends during his lifetime. Over 60 people gathered at the Ann Arbor City Club for this current rendition of the seder, which aimed to celebrate and reclaim the ideals of America.
The seder began to take shape when Rabbi Asher Lopatin, JCRC Director at the Jewish Federation, sat down with Prue Rosenthal to hear about her husband’s seders and learn what made them successful over the course of many years. With Prue’s ideas as a framework, TBE’s Cantor Regina Hayut created a full haggada, blending elements of the traditional Passover seder with themes from American history.
As Eileen Freed, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor put it, “Ever since I learned of Ami and Prue’s seder, I’ve wanted to have something like this as a community. I’m beyond delighted that it finally happened, and hopefully this is the first of a new community tradition. I hope we did Ami proud!”
On the night of the event, every detail was executed with a blend of Jewish and American tradition. The tables were set with seder plates that included a ballot (representing freedom and democracy) and tea (acts of protest), in addition to the traditional maror (the bitterness of slavery extends to both traditions) and charoset (a dish made from apples, nuts and wine – all popular in 1776 America).
Just as the Passover seder includes an opening song, the America’s Seder began with “America the Beautiful,” featuring additional lines from writer Jonathan Levine that extoll “America, America transcending faith and race…”
Even the menu, essential to any seder, drew inspiration from American history. Attendees drank wine, but also added apple cider (well, juice), which was a household staple in 1776. The strictly kosher food was directly linked to a story of Benjamin Franklin serving salmon to his Jewish guests in Philadelphia in 1788, as they celebrated the signing of the Constitution. The Ann Arbor seder’s salmon entree was followed by, of course, apple pie (and ice cream).
Many readings and discussions throughout the night intertwined Passover and American themes. The four questions lingered on issues duty and rights, citizenship and accountability. The four types of children became the four types of civilians. And Dayeinu addressed historical milestones from the Declaration of Independence to the Voting Rights Act.
The seder closed with the singing of “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, “Lift Every Voice” (the Black national anthem that also resonates deeply with Jewish history) and HaTikva (a song originally about the Jewish homeland, but with a theme of hope that is critical today to create a just, free and equitable America).
Throughout the night, participants were engaged and energized, and many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather in this meaningful way. BIC’s Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Rob Dobrusin thanked organizers for “an inspiring evening.” He appreciated that “the Seder was so well written and so important, and I am so glad we could be part of it.”
There is much to be grateful for as the United States reaches 250 years, and this America’s Seder reminded participants that gathering in solidarity and openness is essential to continuing to build this nation into the moral beacon that its founders, however imperfect, dreamed of. As Katherine Lee Bates writes in “America the Beautiful”: “America! America! God mend thine every flaw/Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in Law!”
And what of Ami Rosenthal’s legacy? According to Prue, “He would have been so happy and so proud to have been part of bringing this community together for this seder. Very, very wonderful.”