Madison Labor Seder

press release: A special Passover Seder on April 14, organized by the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice, will explore contemporary worker injustice issues in the context of the Jewish holiday of Passover that celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus of the Hebrew Bible. Today, workers around the world and here in Madison are still oppressed by an economy and a culture that severely limits their ability to live with financial security.

The ICWJ’s Labor Seder is an opportunity to learn how to contemporize the Passover seder with current economic justice themes. In an adaptation of the traditional telling of the Passover story, speakers at the Labor Seder will tell stories of worker struggles and victories. Speakers include a worker from the Fight for $15 movement to increase the  minimum wage; and AFT local 223 president, Chad Goldberg, a UW-Madison professor, who will speak about the effects of ACT 10, the anti-public sector union bill that passed in 2011.

The event is intended to inspire Jewish participants to integrate the themes of worker justice into their Passover Seders, which will be held April 22-23. It will provide new material for Jews to bring to their seders. The event will also teach non-Jews about the holiday of Passover. The event, which is an example of integrating progressive politics and religious faith, will reveal how Passover speaks powerfully to today’s worker justice issues.

This ICWJ event is co-sponsored by Congregation Sha’arei Shamayim, Temple Beth El, Beth Israel Center, and Hillel of UW Madison. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to help with food planning. The event is free with a suggested donation of $10-$20 to support ICWJ’s work.

This event takes place on Thursday, April 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Center, 1206 Mounds St. in Madison. ICWJ will also join in the Fight for $15 Day of Action, a national day of protest to raise the wage for low-wage workers.

Please RSVP, as there is a need to plan food