Freedom can mean many things to many people. For some, freedom is strictly political. Others see it as a financial, physical or interpersonal concern. The poets on the #JArtsLiberty jury, however, embraced freedom in an artistic and spiritual context by selecting “Poem Without an End” by Yehuda Amichai for National Poetry Month, an unexpected but thought-provoking selection. After all, what do museums, synagogues and hearts have to do with freedom?
The purpose of this project is to inspire people to think about and share their thoughts on liberty. Discuss or debate—online or face to face—with friends or strangers. Dig in to what freedom really means to you.
Using “Poem Without an End,” published below, ask these questions at your seder:
What do you think this poem is trying to say?
Do traditions help you feel free? Why?
What types of things make you feel free?
What’s the difference between personal freedom and political freedom?
Related
Here are the questions each might ask about the poem. Which question would you want to ask?
The Wise One
Do history and traditions shape my ideas about freedom?
The Rebellious One
Can people ever be free? Why should I care about freedom?
The Simple One
What type of places can I go to feel free?
The One Who Does Not Know How to Ask
Could I draw a picture about freedom instead?
“Poem Without an End” by Yehuda Amichai
Inside the brand-new museum
there’s an old synagogue.
Inside the synagogue
is me.
Inside me
my heart.
Inside my heart
a museum.
Inside the museum
a synagogue,
inside it
me,
inside me
my heart,
inside my heart
a museum.
Continue the conversation by downloading the #JArtsLiberty toolkit here, and share your thoughts on social media using #JArtsLiberty.
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