New England JLC hosts 11th Annual Labor Seder
March 30th, 2011: The New England Jewish Labor Committee hosted its 11th Annual Labor Seder, this year's was held at the headquarters of Local 103 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The 220 people who participated were especially full of the spirit of liberation and camaraderie, given the recent attacks on unions and collective bargaining across the U.S. and fights for freedom around the world. As New England JLC Director notes, "every year we honor four labor campaigns to go with the four cups of wine in the Passover celebration. This year one of the cups honored the public sector workers in Wisconsin." Click her to see a video made by Brad Lutes, a teacher from Wisconsin, especially for the N.E. JLC's Labor Seder
Other Labor Seders are taking place this year in New York NY, Newark NJ, Washington DC and Houston TX.
For more details, write to info@jewishlabor.org
Comments by Marya for for this year's New England JLC Labor Sedere Labor Seder.
Good Evening. Welcome to the 11th Annual Labor Seder.
In recent weeks, I find what's going on in the world breathtaking; everyday is filled with imminent peril and great opportunity. All around the world, in countries of the Middle East, in Wisconsin and Ohio, and here in Massachusetts, the forces of love, caring, and fairness are in pitched battle with the forces of greed, fear and corruption. So it was in the story of the Jews fighting for liberation against the Pharoah in Egypt. As with the Jews, I believe that the forces of good, will prevail, although it will take longer and be harder than we would wish.
But as we remember and celebrate the Jews coming out of Egypt and marching towards liberation, we have to ponder about the Egyptian serfs and slaves who stayed behind, who were also oppressed by the Pharoah. This year the Egyptians have taken a stand and fought hard for their liberation. And even though it is not clear what will happen in Egypt and in all the other countries of the Middle East, one thing is clear.
We must not be fooled into thinking that our brothers and sisters who are also oppressed are our enemies. Whether it's welfare mothers, immigrants, the public sector, people of color, GLBT's, Muslims, or women, we have to not let ourselves be divided. There are think tanks that spend a lot of time and money on campaigns whose goals are to turn us against each other. There is enough for everyone and we don't have to crush each other to get a few crumbs. The banks are doing better than ever, while many people are directing anger at public sector, scapegoat du jour.
The Jewish Labor Committee stands on a bridge between the labor and Jewish communities. Both communities have been scapegoated and attacked, often for doing the right thing. Those attacks sometimes turn inward, dividing the labor community within itself and leaving people feeling powerless, ineffective and discouraged. The Jewish community is torn apart trying to figure out how to reach for peace in Israel and Palestine. This breaks the hearts of every one of us, every day.
On this Passover and for this year, I pray for us to remember that we are on the same side: that we care for each other, fight for each other, and love each other as individuals, organizations, communities and nations. If we can do this, we can march together away from the Pharoah toward the kind of world for which we hope and dream.