Passover begins tonight. The traditional practice is for families and communities to gather around a meal to retell the story of struggle and liberation for the Jewish people. This year, the coronavirus is preventing gatherings around the Passover table, and many Jewish communities are figuring out how to hold a Seder on line.
While it may feel different not to gather, LGBTQ Jews who have felt the exclusion of faith communities may find this year’s virtual Seders more open and accepting, since they can participate and reconnect with their faith tradition from the safety of their own home.
One of the highest profile Seder celebrations is the Saturday Night Seder Saturday, April 11. The fourth night of Passover will be different from all other nights as celebrities, including several friends of GLAAD, gather around our digital table to share stories, songs, and support the CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. The lineup includes GLAAD Media Award honorees Andy Cohen, Billy Porter, Dan Levy, Debra Messing, Harvey Fierstein, and Judith Light. You’ll also catch GLAAD supporters Billy Eichner, Cynthia Erivo, Dan Levy, Darren Criss, Rachel Brosnahan, and Tan France.
Join Lab/Shul, virtually, for an unforgettable Second Night Passover Sayder April 9. They’ll take care of leading, you’ll do the cooking, and we’ll all talk together about what matters most to our lives today, right here and now. Invite friends and family in your home or around the world to join in; one big beautiful global seder, physically distanced but socially connected. Sayder is Lab/Shul’s interactive, everybody friendly, God-optional Seder – a spin on Passover’s best minus the rest. We’ll journey through highlights from the traditional Haggadah, four *new* questions to encourage real conversation, and multifaith intentions from special guests.
From West Hollywood, CA, Kol Ami has become an important leader in the Jewish and LGBTQ. The congregation will be gathering online for 2nd night Passover Seder experience April 9 with LGBTQ leaders Rabbi Denise L. Eger and Rabbi Max Chaiken. We’ll reconnect virtually to celebrate our festival of freedom! Our rabbis will supply the spirit, you’ll supply the meal from your home. Visit www.kol-ami.org to register.
Beth Chayim Chadashim will also gather online for a Second Night Seder April 9, be using the Queer Passover Haggadah, compiled and with original readings by Rabbi Nikki Lyn DeBlosi, who teaches at NYU’s Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life. The goal of the Queer Passover Haggadah has been to lift up stories of yetziah, of coming out–coming out as queer, coming out of narrow places–whatever that means to each of us.
Out at the J at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah is holding a virtual Queer Passover Seder (2nd Night) April 9 to honor Jewish struggles of the past and recognize our shared struggles of today. Led by Cantor Laura Stein, we’ll join in community to break through feelings of isolation and fear, using our people’s narrative to look to a brighter future. All are welcome to explore LGBTQIA+ themes of freedom, expression and hope.
If you are celebrating Passover, we hope you find a community that accepts all of you. Eat and drink (in the safety of your own home), ask the questions, and tell the story of struggle and liberation. Share your additional LGBTQ-inclusive Passover celebrations in the comments below. Chag Pesach Sameach!