A Zissen Pesach to All! 

During the Holiday of Passover, we remember the time we were slaves in Egypt and how G-d delivered us from slavery through Moses and his brother Aaron.  During this holiday we sit together at our Seders, reading the Haggadah, and having a sumptuous meal with family and friends.  We retell the story and state that we will never forget that we were slaves and we had no rights.  As we come upon our season of Freedom from slavery we must take the time to remember those who are not free.  Israel tells us that more than 130 hostages remain and about a quarter of those are believed dead.  This travesty in modern times should not be forgotten during the joy of our Seders, but instead should be an opportunity for all of us to remember the hostages, and remember that though we are free, there are those who are not.  We ask during our Seders for families to have an empty chair at the Seder table with a picture of a hostage.  We mention their name so that in our celebration we do not forget.  To see a list of hostages you can go to this link: https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/12/04/who-are-hostages-still-being-held-captive-gaza/

We also must be aware that antisemitism is rearing its ugly head once again.  Violent antisemitism and hatred did not end with the Holocaust and are on the rise.  We must ask the question Why won’t antisemitism die, or at least die down? 

Not only should we remember the hostages taken on October 7, 2023, but we should also be aware of antisemitism in our schools, our universities, in politics, in public places.  But even through this hatred surging around us we will still have our Seders, we will still go to Synagogue, many of us proudly wear our Magen David, and many are proud to wear a Kippah.  We should make sure that even with the negativity that is around, we are proud that we are Jewish, we are proud that our people have stood the test of time, and that we continue with our traditions, L’Dor VaDor, from generation to generation. 

When we break our middle Matzah, and put the larger half away for the Afikomen, the other half traditionally has been called the “Bread of Affliction” that our forebears ate due to the bread not rising.  That smaller half should now be called the “Bread of Courage and Strength” – that even as antisemitism rises and we pray for the release of the hostages, we have the strength and the courage to be who we are and stand proud and strong. 

May your Seders bring you joy, peace, family, friendship, and song.

Chag Pesach Sameah! 

Cantor Steve, Kathy, Nathan, and Aaron Hevenstone