PASSOVER STATEMENT ON UNITY "LET ALL WHO ARE HUNGRY COME AND EAT! LET ALL WHO ARE IN WANT SHARE THE HOPE OF_ PASSOVER!" With these words, Jews all over the globe open their homes to one another to partake in the traditional Passover meal. Whether traditional or secular, Conservative, Humanist, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, or Reform, Jews around the world unite in recalling the wonderous redemption of our enslaved ancestors. The Haggadah demands that all Jews imagine themselves being personally deliv-• ered from slavery. We are taught: "And you shall explain to your child on that day, it is because of what the Lord did for me when I, myself went forth from Egypt." (Ex. 13:8) According to midrash (Jewish lore), every Jew living and yet to be born, stood together at Sinai and joined in the ancient pledge made by our forebears in the wilderness of Sinai. Passover reflects the most unifying moment in our people's history. The Jewish Unity Committee of the Jewish Community Council encourages you to emphasize this theme during your Seder. Here are some suggestions: Include the words to the song "We Are One" during your Passover Seder before "Yachatz" — breaking the middle matzah. Breaking bread together forms a special bond between people and is a symbol of friendship and unity. Unlike the matzah, the People of Israel will not be divided. CI Encourage your synagogue, religious school and youth group to teach "We Are One" and include it in your services. The music has been distributed to synagogues and schools and is available at the Jewish Community Council. Invite Jewish family, friends and/or neighbors to your home to share in your Passover Seder. Discuss the meaning and importance of Jewish Unity. We are linked by history, a shared purpose and a common destiny. The Jewish Unity Committee came together to build bridges among Jews and to foster an environment of mutual respect which will encourage communication and unity among us. WE ARE ONE Remember how we fled our homes In the middle of the night Right across those stormy waters We held on with all our might It took a lot of faith Just to believe we had the right Remember how we wandered All those years without a home We had to suffer the intolerance No place to call our own But we always had each other When it hurt to be alone (CHORUS) CHORUS We are one, Am Echad Do not try to separate us We are one, Am Echad Like the waters in the sea We are one, Am Echad In the eyes of them that hate us (Though what fortunes might await us) And to the One who did create us You and me Remember how we sang the song Of freedom in our land And the promise of the future Seemed to sparkle in our hand United in our vision We returned to make a stand But a different kind of persecution Now afflicts our soul We've become our own oppressors As we struggle for control Did we forget the very truths That made our people whole (CHORUS) Isn't it time we should live with each other Building a world hand in hand Never too late to forgive and discover Only with love can we build The Promised Land Remember how it all began With a vision that was new And together how we sacrificed To make the dream come true Compared to all we share my friend Our differences are few He st V A V A A For more information, contact the Jewish Community Council at (810) 642-5393. % Hr V The words to the song We Are One were written by Robbie Solomon and are reproduced with permission. The song is performed by SAFAM on its album entitled Peace by Piece. For this and all other SAFAM albums and songbooks please write to - SAFAM, 36 Hamlin Road, Newton Centre, MA 02159 86