YAD EZRA

feeddig the _Tew/eb ttieigry

March 20, 1998

Dear Friends,

The first commandment states: "I am the Eternal your G'd who brought you out of the land of
Egypt, the house of bondage." (Exodus 20:2) The story of the Exodus is one of the most
important and compelling stories in the Bible and is reenacted every year at Passover. The
Seder links us to the experience of those enslaved by Pharaoh thousands of years ago by
having us retell the story of the Exodus, instructing us to eat matza, the 'bread of affliction', and
maror, the bitter herbs. It is through these traditions and the reading of the Hagaddah that we
can 'experience' the feelings of slavery and the transition to freedom.

When we are freed and begin our Exodus, we become 'bound' to establish justice and equality
for everyone. With freedom comes responsibility to all human beings, to ensure that individuals
cooperate and support each other and, as the Haggaddah states: "Whoever is hungry - come
and eat! Whoever is needy - come and celebrate Passover!"

Yad Ezra opened its doors in 1990 with the specific goal of ensuring that every Jewish family be
able to 'come (to a table) and eat'. Over the last eight years, Yad Ezra has distributed
Passover food packages to thousands of needy families who wanted the opportunity to
celebrate their freedom.

Please help us assist the hungry in our community by mailing your contribution, made payable
to Yad Ezra, in the attached envelope. Please note that your contribution is eligible for a 50%
Michigan Tax Credit, subject to certain limitations.

The goal of spiritual freedom can only be realized when people are no longer physically bound
by conditions such as hunger. It is our responsibility to ensure that the Exodus that occurred
thousands of years ago continues to serve as a model that directs us to value freedom, justice,
generosity and compassion for each other.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy Passover.

Sincerely,

e y AI
resident

Lea Luger
Development Director

Elaine Ryke
Human Services Director