To see photos from this event click here:
Seder Photos 2007

Ma Nishtana?
JDA Seder Celebration 2007
by Eva Fielding-Jackson

This year, the Seder celebration took place at Stamford Hill Community Centre, on Sunday 1st April afternoon, just before the real Seder starts. This enabled a huge turnout of more than 100 people!

This year, the usual question of ‘Ma Nishtana Halayla Hazeh?’ (Why is this night different from all other nights?) had double meanings. Not only it was different because we could lean as free people, not only because we were eating bitter herbs and Matzos (unleavened bread), but also because for the first time ever, a Deaf person delivered the service. That Deaf person was me, together with EJ Cohen, the American
interpreter and Jewish Educator.

EJ and I met a few times before the Seder. We prepared, designed, timed and shared the service delivery together.

At the Seder, when EJ spoke, Peter Abraham interpreted in sign language. When I signed in BSL, Peter voiced over.

Among the guests were a mixture of hearing, Deaf /deaf, partially deaf and hard of hearing people. With the support of the interpreters, the palantypist, relay interpreters for the Deafblind and the lipspeaker, no-one was left out. Everyone could take part fully in the service. We also had the Haggadah (prayer book) with pictures on a PowerPoint presentation. We were fortunate to have Daniel Clements’ help with this.

The Haggadah was read and signed by most members in both Hebrew and English. People of all ages and with different types of communication came to the stage and took part - a true inclusive Seder.

It was particularly lovely to see Chantelle, the four year old daughter of Jeremy and Ravit Freeman, singing quietly the ‘Ma Nishtana.’
The Seder was a huge success and members said how good it was to be finally delivered by a Deaf person in BSL, with all the songs that involved all the members. They particularly liked the Passover counting song ‘Ehad Mi Yodea?’
(Who Knows One?) where each table had to wave the number in the air when we sang, causing roars of laughter.

For me, despite the hard work and preparation involved, I enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to thank the JDA for giving me the opportunity to deliver the Seder. I also want to
thank EJ for all her hard work with me before the event. Despite being very ill on the week before the event, it did not stop EJ from coming and doing her part very well.

I also would like to thank all the guests for being patient. It was a long afternoon, and many were hungry. The look in some eyes begged us to shut up and let the meal begin!
Nevertheless, they all participated and made this Seder so special.

I also want to thank Sue Cipin for encouraging me to do the Seder and for the lovely present I received, which was so unexpected.

We usually say at the end of each Seder “Next Year in Jerusalem”. I would like to add: “But if not in Jerusalem, then let’s have it again the same way with the JDA”

Thanks to you all.