16th Annual National Hunger Seder Joins Members of Congress, Anti-Hunger Advocates to Break Matzah
This Passover, MAZON was proud to bring together members of Congress and anti-hunger advocates for its 16th annual National Hunger Seder on Capitol Hill, merging Jewish tradition with urgent advocacy for the 47 million Americans facing food insecurity.
Each year, the Hunger Seder serves as an opportunity to celebrate the holiday of Passover while highlighting the critical need to protect basic food assistance programs. And amidst ongoing attempts to reduce funding for services that millions of Americans depend on every day, that message is more important than ever.
“I am deeply grateful for our friends and partners who joined us for this year’s National Hunger Seder, and I am particularly thankful for our champions in Congress who came to speak out against hunger in America,” said MAZON Board Chair Carolyn Schwarz Tisdale, who was in Washington, DC for the event. “This annual event serves as a unique opportunity to show how our Jewish faith and our values of social justice are intrinsically linked, and this year, we convened at a true inflection point in the fight against hunger.”
Participants of the Seder on Capitol Hill listening from the Hunger Seder Haggadah read by MAZON Board Member Len David. (Credit: Lacey Johnson Photography)
Seder participants read from MAZON’s 2025 Hunger Seder Haggadah, which frames the Passover rituals around hunger issues. Leading the Seder was Rabbi Rachel Hersh from the Jewish Social Service Agency alongside MAZON Board Member Len David and Vice President of Public Affairs Liza Lieberman.
At the heart of this year’s Seder was MAZON’s Fifth Question: “What can we accomplish as a country if 47 million of us were not struggling with hunger?” This addition to Passover’s traditional Four Questions directly challenges policymakers and the public to address hunger’s root cause.
Just as Passover commemorates the Jewish peoples’ liberation from oppression, the Hunger Seder reminds us of our obligation to help those still seeking freedom from the modern-day plague of food insecurity.
This year’s National Hunger Seder was cosponsored by the House Hunger Caucus, which is co-chaired by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Tracey Mann (R-KS). The event was also attended by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) addresses MAZON’s 16th annual National Hunger Seder in Washington, DC. (Credit: Lacey Johnson Photography)
Congressman McGovern, who joined MAZON’s Seder between Rules Committee negotiations about the contentious budget resolution, emphasized the moral dimension of food assistance programs: “Cutting SNAP benefits is not only wrong, but immoral,” said Rep. McGovern. “Some people refer to budgets as moral documents, and I agree with that. This is about what we believe in, what we value, and I think that the budget we are dealing with is immoral. We live in the richest country in the history of the world and we have 47 million people who are food insecure or hungry. It is a scandal, and every one of us should be ashamed.”
Members of Congress joined the Seder alongside MAZON’s partners including the Food Research and Action Center, National WIC Association, Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative, Interfaith Alliance, Coalition on Human Needs, Meals on Wheels America, Blue Star Families, Congressional Equality Caucus, National Farmers Union, Alliance to End Hunger, and Bread for the World.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) address MAZON’s 16th annual National Hunger Seder in Washington, DC. (Credit: Lacey Johnson Photography)
“We have a threat never before faced, an existential crisis for millions of families,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Most years we are around this table together because we want to stand up for people with food insecurity, fight to end hunger, and reflect the Jewish values of tikkun olam, being the voice for the voiceless. MAZON’s work is more essential than ever. Our work together as a collective community is more essential than ever.”
As Passover continues, MAZON invites communities across the country to incorporate hunger awareness into their own celebrations and advocacy work. Join the movement by hosting Hunger Seders, contacting representatives, or donating to support anti-hunger advocacy.
The full suite of MAZON’s Passover materials, including the 2025 Haggadah and Fifth Question, can be found at mazon.org/passover.
One of the four cups of wine during the Hunger Seder. (Credit: Lacey Johnson Photography)