Rodef Shalom to welcome refugees at its community Seder

This Passover, Rodef Shalom Congregation will invite guests to its community Seder who have much to share on the subject of freedom: They are refugees from the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and the East African nation of Sudan.
Many Bhutanese and Sudanese families have fled their countries due to the fear of persecution, and several of them have resettled in Pittsburgh. They will share their stories of liberation at the April 14 Seder.
Passover, at its core, is a story of freedom from slavery, explained the congregation’s Rabbi Sharyn Henry.
“We translate the word for Egypt, mitzrayim, to mean ‘from narrow places’ as the Jews came from a narrow place of oppression, through the Sea of Reeds to a big space of freedom,” Henry said in a prepared statement. “We are honored to be able to share in the celebration of these refugees who we hope have found a space of freedom here in Pittsburgh.”
Jews consider inviting guests to their Seders to be a blessing — a custom that is enshrined in the line from the Hagadah, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.”
Rodef Shalom and Jewish Family & Children’s Service, which resettles refugees in Pittsburgh, are coordinating the Seder.
— Lee Chottiner

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