MRJ Men's Seder
“Where does a contemporary man go to find male bonding? Where does a man go to find a relationship with other men that is not competitive, that is not comparative, and that is not threatening and dehumanizing?
…We believe this is the arena and the mandate of religion, to provide an environment where each and every one of us feels safe, accepted, loved and not judged. We believe that religion is where a man can go and not be evaluated for his material possessions, his notoriety, his romantic conquests, or the power of his biceps. We believe that traditionally, religion was the place where ultimate questions were asked and answered. And we believe that the experience of a male Seder offers the tools to achieve what men need.”
The MRJ Men’s Seder™ – Rabbi Dan Moskovitz and Rabbi Perry Netter
Download the MRJ Men's Seder Facilitator's Guide
The Men of Reform Judaism (MRJ) invites your congregation’s participation in an exciting, new MRJ project – The Men’s Seder™. Creating a comfortable and ‘safe’ space for the men of our congregations to explore and celebrate what it means to be a contemporary Jewish man is both critically needed, and, at the same time, challenging! Rabbis Dan Moskovitz and Perry Netter have created just such a ‘space’ using the traditional structure of the Passover Seder.
“The most important and meaningful aspect of the MRJ
Men’s Seder seemed to be the opportunity for men to spend time together and share
their thoughts and feelings.”
“The MRJ Men’s Seder was truly a wonderful event for our
Brotherhood and their guests. There was a true sense of “brotherhood” in
the room as the men clearly felt comfortable sharing in ways they had not
before.”
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation Men's Seder
by Paul Cohen
The Men’s Seder
was originally crafted in 2007 by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz and Rabbi Perry Netter,
and begins with the simple question: Why a Men’s Seder? In the introduction,
some stark truth’s are set out: There are certain experiences only men can
share; There are certain challenges that only men face; Men need the company of
men, to be men. But, where does a contemporary man go to find bonding? 
When you pull into the parking lot at Baltimore Hebrew
Congregation and see the main building for the first time, you get a sense of
solidity, strength, permanence. And once you go inside, to these descriptions
one can immediately add tradition, community and participation. The main chapel
is immense, and I shuddered to think what it would be like to be 13 again,
having to chant Torah in front of such a huge audience. In another part of the
building is an auditorium, bigger than most high schools assembly halls, with
permanent seating and a full stage. The walls of the main corridor are replete
with announcements of all sorts of wonderful events forthcoming, including,
today, the Brotherhood’s Men’s Seder. -> Read More
The MRJ Men's Seder promotion poster used at Hebrew Union College in NYC
On Monday, 2/13/12, MRJ & ROC held the first ever Men's Seder at HUC-JIR in New york City. Representing MRJ at the event was President Ira Warshawsku, and ROC was represented by MRJ Secretary and ROC chair, Steven Portnoy. Doug Barden, MRJ's Executive Director led the group. About 20 male, Rabbinical and Cantorial students attended. Due to a last minute scheduling conflict, some of the students had to leave early, and so, the normal 2 hour program had to be condensed into one hour. There was a lively give and take duting the "seder", and all had a good meal.
Click here for full sized poster
The MRJ Men’s Seder™...
- Connects us to our ancestors and our heritage.
- Addresses our most pressing concern of reversing
the flight of Reform Jewish men from participation in synagogue life.
- Reacquaints men with their job as Jewish role
models to our movement, our congregations, and, most of all, their
families.
- The Men’s Seder is a Haggadah based
exploration of contemporary men’s issues,
providing men the opportunity to share their unique male experience, as much or
as little as they wish, in a safe and controlled environment.
- Provides new opportunity for spiritual growth
and/or relationship building.
- Permits inter-generational bonding.
- Reminds men that their problems are not unique
and that they are not alone.
- Allows us to address life’s issues from a Jewish
perspective.
Request a complimentary copy of The MRJ Men’s Seder™ Haggadah and a copy of MRJ’s Guide “ How to Plan and Conduct a Successful MRJ Men’s Seder” by email: MRJ@urj.org.
For additional copies of The MRJ Men’s Seder™ Haggadah, please click here -> MRJ Seder Order Form
