Over 80 people attended virtual Passover ritual: “We’re ready to get Congresswoman Tlaib re-elected”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2020
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
Detroit, MI: Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib celebrated Passover with over 80 Jews and allies in Detroit and from across the country in a virtual ritual ceremony. Led and organized by Jewish Voice for Peace Action in Detroit, the public Zoom event was a celebration of liberation and commitment to the fight to re-elect Representative Tlaib. The seder was live-streamed by JVPA on YouTube, and shared on Facebook. It can be watched here.
Speaking during the event, Rep. Tlaib stated: “No one ever deserves to be dehumanized during this crisis. No one’s life is less-than someone else’s. Not the grocery store worker, not the Amazon worker, not the senior in subsidized housing, not the mother who can’t get water to make formula for her child. Not one person in this world should ever feel less-than.
“As we hold this seder,” Tlaib continued, “we center ourselves around humanity. We center around our incredible ancestry. And as we build up this movement, we have the strength of leaning on each other. We are going to out-work them, we are going to out-love them, and no one will feel less-than anymore.”
Reading from a Passover Haggadah designed for the event, Detroit Jews and allies recited: “As we observe the ancient Jewish holiday of Passover, we remember that freedom and self-determination are precious treasures that must be defended each generation.”
JVP Action Organizer Reuben Telushkin said: “Jews and allies for Rashida in Detroit are tired of profits, greed, and unchecked power being put before people. Last night was a demonstration of the strength of our community and an invitation to join us in the fight ahead.” He added, “The challenges faced by Palestinians are all too familiar to many Detroiters, who also contend with severe economic and racial injustice — and the horrifying ways those inequalities accelerate infection right now.”
Beth Miller, JVP Action Government Affairs Manager, said: “The only remedy for the darkness of the moment we face is action. It was inspiring and beautiful to gather together to share ritual and community with Congresswoman Tlaib and to commit to working together to envision and fight for a better, more just world. Our base of Jews and allies in Detroit are ready for this fight, and we’re ready to get Congresswoman Tlaib re-elected.”
JVP Action leaders in Detroit and staff are available to speak with the media.
JVP Action is an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization formed as the political and advocacy arm of Jewish Voice for Peace. JVP Action is building a multiracial, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies to transform U.S. policy towards justice in Israel/Palestine.