Seder at Saddam’s
Here’s one for the history books! This year, over 100 U.S. Jewish troops, civilians, and even a few Iraqi nationals celebrated Passover in a very unique location: Saddam Husseins former Presidential Palace in Baghdad.
The seder was organized and lead by Rabbi Mitchell Ackerson (LTC, USA), the senior chaplain for the US Army 220th Military Police Brigade.
Update: Click on “full story” to read Rabbi Ackerson’s account of the seder!
From Rabbi Ackerson (reprinted with his permission):
What a difference a year makes. Last year seder was held in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert in a tent barely surviving the onslaught of a blinding sand storm with the barest of provisions. This year it was seder in Sadams’ main Presidential palace in the heart of Baghdad with marble everywhere, and while the provisions weren’t like mom would have made it was a long way from last year. We had over 100 different Jewish military and civilian personnel between the two nights and morning services. We had participants from the US of course but also Australia,the UK, Cyprus, Iraq, and Israel. We had Jews,as well as Christian and Moslem guests, in other words a true representation of the coalition joined and participated. We were of course disappointed that almost 30 soldiers who had made reservations were unable to arrive due to the very changed security environment based on events of recent days. We missed them but understood why they could not come, safety is paramount. We were also disappointed in the large number of Jewish civilians personnel working in the palace who refused to participate and join in, but that was in the end their choice.
As always I started with the story of the kiddush cup and then reminded everyone that they had to participate and ask questions, but before speaking or reading their part they had to introduce themselves. What a mix we had and watching them make seder plates a true joy. We proceeded to the haggadah and seder including wine which most had not seen in awhile, the explanation of the Rav on halachma anya, the two types of hunger and need, physical and spiritual hit a particular cord in them, and when we got to the four questions you could have rolled on the floor in laughter as we figured out who the youngest soldier present was. The maggid went back and forth in English or Hebrew, sometimes with American tunes, sometimes Israeli, and a few Iraqi. The accents alone made it fun. Everyone did indeed participate. The seder kits were a huge success. We ended late but essentially no one left till we had finished Birkat HaMazon, Hallel, and gotten to Nirtzach at the very end. Many of the soldiers appreciated the humor and sharing of the seder and many commented that they had never done the whole thing before and they had so much fun doing it, they should try it again. Our soldiers were particularly appreciative of some major donations that allowed them deserts, supplementals, and lunch as well as more greeting cards and phone cards.
I tried to make my comments relevent to their lives and their duties. We spoke of the central theme of Pesach, freedom, often, and their role in bringing freedom to this land. We spoke of growth and development, of spending time reuniting with their faith and studying and learning during some of the free time they will have. We spoke of the pride they should feel in what they are accomplishing and the pride the American people have in them as well. Our morning services were highlighted by a Torah borrowed from the last remaining synagogue in Baghdad still existing as a synagogue. The tik, a beautiful ornate silver container was donated to the congregation 102 years ago, the scroll hundreds of years older. No one knew the last time it had been read from and this would very possibly be the last time it would be read again in Iraq.
At the end I told the soldiers all of this was bittersweet for me. I expressed my true affection for them and the pride I take in them and their accomplishment just as I take pride in the accomplishments of my own children. They are I told them, fine Americans and ambassadors of our country and our faith, but as much as I would like to still be here with them, it is my time to go home. I will continue to worry about them and care for them, and I will miss them. At least for these few days they have been able to gather together as Jews and members of the military and government communities united in a Holy purpose, now they need to remember to stay safe and make it home to their loved ones as I hope to do so very soon to mine. Continue to pray for them and their welfare. It is darkest before the dawn but for a few days they shared the light of our Torah and heritage, may it continue to sustain them and light their way for the months to come.
For more media coverage of the seder, check out stories from: