The traditional Passover seder focuses on retelling the story of the Jews’ experiences in Egypt and subsequent exodus following the 10 plagues. The historic goal of the telling is twofold. First is to remember the history of the Jewish people, and second is to educate the children. It is this second goal that typically leads the seder to include songs, symbolic foods, and often other types of toy props to aid in the telling.
But the themes of freedom, spring renewal, and enduring hardship are often adapted and interpreted for modern times and modern issues. This year, Jewish Family Service of Nashville is hosting a Mental Health Seder. The seder will be held on March 19th and will be led by Rabbi Lindsey Danziger. She says the goal is to use Passover as an opportunity for spiritual and mental renewal during challenging times. “By bringing best practices grounded in mental health research into our ceremony of spiritual renewal and recommitment to working towards freedom, we can bring in another layer to the seder and make it more impactful in our lives and meet the needs of the community, when mental health needs are acute and most people are suffering from overwhelm.”
The Haggadah to be used was created by the Blue Dove Foundation, an organization that seeks to foster communication, education, and dialogue around mental illness and substance abuse through a Jewish lens. The Haggadah uses traditional seder elements and explores the connection between biblical oppression, and the burdens of modern challenges.
Toni Jacobsen is the clinical director of JFS. She is happy to present the concepts of self-care through the lens of the seder. “The seder plate has things you can do to take care of yourself. One thing on the plate says, ‘This is one thing I can do to calm down,’ ‘One thing I can do on a bad day.’ And people will fill in their own seder plate with different coping skills and support systems.”
Other key elements of the mental health seder are the four questions which ask participants to think about personal freedoms, struggles, and finding help. The plagues, as well, offer a different perspective on the traditional theme. “They are 10 mental health plagues: fear, self judgement, imposter syndrome, burnout, substance abuse, depression, trauma, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.”
The seder is open to the community and according to Danziger will be a meaningful way to prepare for the Passover holiday. “We hope that anyone who feels the need to a mental reset and some connection will join. It would be a great opportunity for mental health professionals, those who are in pursuit of mental health wellness, and anyone who is curious.”
The JFS Mental Health Seder will be held on March 19th at 5:00 at the Madeline Pargh Arts & Crafts Center. To RSVP, contact Toni Jacobsen, tonijacobsen@jfsnashville.org, 615-354-1672.
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