MIDDLEBURY — Havurah, the Jewish congregation of Addison County, will mark Passover with a Seder supper on Tuesday, April 11. It is calling the event “‘I See Myself in You’; A Community Seder of Immigrants and Refugees.”
The dinner will be at the Congregational Church of Middlebury, downstairs in Fellowship Hall.
Each year at Passover, Jews everywhere gather to remember that we were strangers and refugees in the land of Egypt.  As American Jews, Havurah members said they are keenly aware of what it has meant to be refugees and immigrants to this country, and that they have also experienced the devastating cost of being targeted for attack, or turned away. 
“This year, we at Havurah of Addison Country feel that in the face of rising animosity that aims to divide us, it is particularly important to join hands with immigrants and refugees of all faiths and nations of origin, and to come together at this time of year to tell our stories, support one another, and share a meal in solidarity and friendship,” said Rabbi David Edleson in a press release. “Our Haggadah, or text, will combine personal stories from guests who have agreed to share, selected poems, along with traditional songs and customs of the Passover Seder.”
People who themselves or their families have immigrated to the U.S., or came here as refugees — in this generation or in generations past — are invited to join in the community seder, “I See Myself in You.”
“If there is a song about freedom from your culture of origin, one that can be shared across faiths and cultures, please come ready to share it with us,” Edleson added.
Those wishing to attend the Passover Seder are asked to RSVP by April 7 by email to [email protected]; please say who will be coming and what you can bring. Space may be limited.
Participants are asked to bring a dish to share from your family’s nation of origin (amended to comply with Havurah’s Passover Kashrut Policy, which will be spelled out in reply to one’s RSVP.)
Babysitting/children’s activities will be offered during the event.
To cover incidentals, organizers are asking for $7 per person or $28 maximum per family.