Next Year in Jerusalem
A Wish for Harmony
It is traditional to end a Seder with the words , L ’ shanah ha-ba ’ ah b ’ Yerushalayim — Next Year in Jerusalem !
Next year , wherever we are , may we be whole and at peace . May the coming year be one of equality and inclusiveness . May we all be able to live free , peaceful lives so that we may come together and celebrate again !
And then all that has divided us will merge . And then compassion will be wedded to power And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind . And then both men and women will be gentle . And then both women and men will be strong . And then no person will be subject to another ’ s will . And then all will be rich and free and varied . And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many . And then all will share equally in the earth ’ s abundance . And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old . And then all will nourish the young . And then all will cherish life ’ s creatures . And then all will live in harmony with each other and the earth . And then everywhere will be called Eden once again .
— Excerpt from the “ Merger Poem ”, Judy Chicago .
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