This program was held on 3/31/21.

If you do not currently receive our emails, please sign up here.

To support NMAJH events like this in the future, please consider making a donation.

This annual event is inspired by the original 1969 Freedom Seder, where hundreds of people of all backgrounds gathered to explore and celebrate freedom in the context of the Civil Rights Movement on the third night of Passover and the one-year anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination.

Typically an in-person event at the Museum on Independence Mall for 300 participants of all faiths, races, and beliefs, the tradition continues virtually in 2021 with the re-airing of a beautiful selection of stories and performances presented at this signature NMAJH event since its inception in 2013, interspersed with live commentary. Each story offers a unique perspective on the meaning of freedom in America today, including:

• A trans-Jewish voice on seder plate symbolism and the importance of offering new ways of interpreting old traditions to better engage younger generations and the present moment;
• An Indian American immigrant who shared the story of her deportation hearing publicly for the first time as part of this event;
• An African American reverend who recounts his experience being bullied and being defended at his Jewish summer camp;
• Rabbi Arthur Waskow, co-leader of the original Freedom Seder and author of the Freedom Seder Haggadah, a first edition of which is in the Museum’s collection, provides new commentary for 2021;
• and more.

Ways to Watch

Facebook: Look for the LIVE post on the Museum’s Facebook page at 8pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to view the program.

NMAJH website: A little before the program start time, the livestream will also be available at the top of this page. You will be prompted to enter your email address. Please note that you may need to refresh your screen and press “play” on the video—the static image will be replaced with the live feed before the program starts.

Zoom: We have reached Zoom capacity–if you were unable to register or have trouble getting in this evening, please use one of the other methods. Thank you! Registration is required to receive the link–click here. There are a limited number of Zoom slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Zoom will cut off registration when the limit has been reached. Should that occur, please use one of the other methods listed above instead—they are all free and have unlimited capacity.