Sonia Lyakhovich, Period 1, 3/15/22

 Socio-political Consciousness

• What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

• How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

During a Seder dinner, we celebrate the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. Some old or disabled community members, however, have trouble leaving the house to buy matzah, the unleavened bread, for the Seder plate.

In my Russian-Jewish neighborhood, the Jewish Community House brought us together for Mitzvah Day, a community service event, where we pack boxes with grape juice and matzah the homebound need to celebrate Passover. As we deliver the packages, we listen to  “babushka’s” stories. They were not given equal access to jobs and education because it said “Jew” on their Russian passports. To succeed in their society, they had to work much harder than a non-Jew.

I have also heard these stories of antisemitism many times from my family, but every story tells me about another hardship. My grandmother was sent miles away from her home to escape World War II bombings. A professor failed my mom because she looked Jewish, and she hid in a synagogue to avoid expulsion from her university. At first, I was shocked to hear that people did not speak out against these acts of antisemitism, because that would have been my first thought, but then I realized that it was not possible to do so without being arrested. Jews did not have supportive friends.

Hearing these stories around Passover is especially important as we celebrate our freedom. While I am grateful to know my history and perform a mitzvah, I am reminded how Black communities in America have to fight for equity and justice. It has not only helped me listen to stories of African American hardships and prejudice in society, but learn how I can amplify their voices and be an ally. As I deliver matzah, I know there is more to unpack.