United Synagogue Conducts Seder for People with Aids

At a model seder conducted Monday by the United Synagogue of America, there were more than four questions being asked.

Instead of merely reading through the Haggadah and reciting the formulas, this seder dealt with a real problem facing the Jewish community. Why was this seder different from all other seders? Because most of its participants are suffering from the AIDS virus.

“The seder is a ceremony of order,” began Rabbi Jerome Epstein, the leader of the seder. “AIDS, however, interrupts the seder, the order in our lives.”

The purpose of this seder, said Epstein, was to ” join in solidarity with those whose life’s order has been forcibly altered.”

Every part of the service was related in some way to the plight of people with AIDS.

The prayer “Let all who are hungry come and eat, let all who are in need come and celebrate,” was used to teach the need for tolerance and compassion. Just as we were slaves in Egypt, we cannot today be ” slaves to indifference, fear and prejudice,” the service read.

In addition to the staff members of United Synagogue who worked on the seder, there were also seven members of United Synagogue Youth who helped with the preparations. United Synagogue is the congregational arm of Conservative Judaism.

According to Shira Epstein, a high-school senior from New Rochelle, “this experience made us feel more comfortable” with the disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

‘JUST LIKE REGULAR PEOPLE’

Beth Fisch, another USY member, agreed. “I can say to my friends that I sat at the same table as an AIDS patient and they’re just like regular people…regular Jews.”

That awareness is crucial to people with AIDS, who often face prejudice at synagogues and Jewish organizations.

Bud Berman, who has AIDS, pointed out that while many churches have special food programs for AIDS patients, only one synagogue in New York, the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, has done anything in that respect.

While many praised this effort on the part of United Synagogue, all agreed that this is not enough.

“It doesn’t stop with a seder or a Purim celebration,” said one participant.

“We in the Conservative movement have a challenge,” Rabbi Epstein explained. “Each day there are more and more sufferers. We look at this as a beginning.”

With this beginning, United Synagogue plans to begin new programs on the behalf of AIDS patients in all of its member congregations.

Some of the plans include information sessions on AIDS to better inform congregants about the disease, providing meals to people with AIDS and helping local AIDS service organizations.