Disney Channel Passover Program Changes “Next Year in Jerusalem” to “Next Year in the Holy Land”

A Disney Channel Passover special is being criticized for replacing the line “Next Year in Jerusalem” recited at the end of the seder to “Next Year in the Holy Land.”

HonestReporting, a pro-Israel media watchdog, tweeted a clip from the Disney Channel’s “In the Nook” mini-talk show during the week of Passover, where one of the guest stars on the program said that “Next Year in the Holy Land” is recited at end of the seder. All five of the guest stars then said, “Next Year in the Holy Land!” together.

.@DisneyChannel’s mini-talkshow ‘In the Nook’ replaced “Next year in Jerusalem,” traditionally recited during the #Passover Seder, with “Next year in the Holy Land.” Disney, why are you rewriting Jewish tradition and excluding this reference to the ancient Jewish capital? pic.twitter.com/dC0WJr5zS8

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) April 6, 2021

B’nai Brith International tweeted that they are “deeply dismayed” with the Disney Channel over the matter. “This is a deliberate negation of Jerusalem as the eternal Jewish capital,” they wrote. “We call for the #disneychannel PSA to accurately depict this sacred Jewish custom related to our holiest city.”

We are deeply dismayed that #disneychannel is running #Passover PSAs that replace the traditional refrain “Next year in Jerusalem” with “Next year in the Holy Land.” This is a deliberate negation of Jerusalem as the eternal Jewish capital.

— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) March 30, 2021

We call for the #disneychannel PSA to accurately depict this sacred Jewish custom related to our holiest city.

— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) March 30, 2021

Israellycool blogger David Lange similarly tweeted, “Note to @DisneyChannel: Do not dare try to dilute the importance of #Jerusalem to the Jewish people. Sure, you are not as blatant in your contempt for Jews and Judaism as times of old, but you are not fooling this proud Jew for one.”

Note to @DisneyChannel: Do not dare try to dilute the importance of #Jerusalem to the Jewish people. Sure, you are not as blatant in your contempt for Jews and Judaism as times of old, but you are not fooling this proud Jew for one. https://t.co/dmTqB9VY9U

— (((David Lange))) 🇮🇱🇦🇺 (@Israellycool) April 6, 2021

George Washington University student Blake Flayton, an avowed progressive Zionist, tweeted that some Haggadahs have replaced “Next Year in Jerusalem” with phrases like “Next year in peace” and “Next year in joy.” “It’s not trivial,” Flayton wrote. “It’s a profound discomfort with the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, with Jewish national identity, with Jewish history.”

It seems like something trivial. Politically motivated Haggadahs now say “Next year in peace,” “Next year in joy,” etc. It’s not trivial. It’s a profound discomfort with the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, with Jewish national identity, with Jewish history.

— Blake Flayton (@blakeflayton) March 31, 2021

HonestReporting editor Akiva Van Koningsfeld wrote in an April 7 piece, “Israel’s historical capital is not just mentioned during Pesach, but in every prayer on every holiday, wedding and even after meals. Why is Disney Channel seemingly hiding this reality, which some may construe as diminishing the central importance of Jerusalem in Judaism and Jewish history?”

Representatives from the Disney Channel did not respond to the Journal’s requests for comment.

H/T: The Algemeiner and United With Israel