Do not take your freedom for granted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-mD_LPRnIs 

One of the crucial statements in the Pesach Haggadah urges: B’chol dor vador chayav adam lir’ot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatza mi-mitzrayim. In every generation one is obligated to see oneself as one who personally went out from Egypt. No doubt, this phrase was a source of consolation, hope and dignity to many generations of Jewish people. Reliving a highpoint of our collective story, viewing it as a personal experience, helped them to endure hostile environments and safeguard their beliefs and integrity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF5fxWBXr0w It made them feel, that the seder's concluding wish, “L’shanah Habaah Birushalayim” (Next year in Jerusalem) was not a utopia dream, but would one day come true. This anticipation even allowed them to sing about our people’s travails in a humorous metaphoric song Chad Gadya (Just One Kid). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAY_j2u3csE

But what implications can these words have for us, we who enjoy the independence and equality that our ancestors (and not so distant) could only dream of? I believe they teach us not to get so accustomed to the bliss of freedom that we take it for granted and not appreciate it. Imagining the horrors of slavery and the exultation of liberation as a part of our own story can inspire us to a whole range of great things. It motivates us to assume responsibilities and seize the opportunities that only a free people can have. Of course, raising our voices in defense of those still oppressed and taking a stand for the cause of social justice comes immediately to mind. http://kolbseder.com/GENERATION.mp3 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR3jSHvszUM But it also means taking good care of ourselves and our loved ones, living our lives to their fullest potential, and perfecting our spirits, minds and bodies.

The ability to study is one of the most wonderful privileges of freedom. The ability to openly practice your religion is another. And of course, music and singing are primary manifestations of freedom. It is not coincidental that Moses and Israel broke into the singing of Shirat Hayam (the Song of the Sea) upon their deliverance (Ex. 15:1-21), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7YwtWe_gKk and that Jewish captives al naharot Bavel (by the rivers of Babylon) hang their lyres on poplars and refused to sing for their oppressors (Ps. 137) RECORDING. The Spanish Crypto Jew, Maran, from the song by S. Bugach and A. Reisen could only die, singing out loud; we can live singing. So let us raise our voices in song as we raise our glasses at the seder, surrounded by family and friends. And, as Great Grandma’s silver Pesach set, dusted and polished, shines on our table may the beauty of our tradition be rediscovered and cherished even more. May the taste of korech, the Hillel sandwich, that combines the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom make us feel the excitement of liberation and renewal and bring out the best in us to live and act in accordance to the powerful message of this holiday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZmX0aT6mXk&playnext=1&list=PL3F63CEFDC015D820&feature=results_video

Music used:
B’chol DorVador by A. Yardeni, sung by Freddy Peers
Zog Maran Music by Samuel Bugach, Words by Abraham Reisen sung by Martha Shlamme
Chad Gadya Folk, sung by Moyshe Oysher
In Every Generation by Kol B’Seder (Jeff Klepper and Daniel Freedlander)
Shirat Hayam Abayudaya tune
Psalm 137 by Evgeny Khazdan, Sung by Gregory Yakerson
Standing At the Sea by Peter and Ellen Allard

Cantor Larisa Averbakh is a native of St. Petersburg, Russia and holds degrees from the Rimsky-Korsakov School of Music, the Leningrad Technological Institute, and the Petersburg Jewish University. She has also completed studies at the Melton Center of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has mastered Yiddish repertoire under the guidance of a renowned Jewish singer Nechamah Lifshitz (Lifshitzayte) in Tel Aviv.

Cantor Averbakh immigrated to the USA in May 1997. She earned her Master's Degree in Sacred Music from the School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and was invested as a Cantor in May, 2002. Cantor Averbakh has served Congregation Beth Israel since July, 2002. She is happy to share her love for Jewish music with the congregation and broader community. The highlights of her work include adult and children's choirs, monthly service with the Fiddler under the Roof band and annual cantorial concerts.

Cantor Averbakh is married to Dmitri Leiderman, and they have two children, Michael and Pauline.