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(7n the wake of Sept. 11, what special meaning
does this Pesach, the holiday where we commemorate
our eedom om op cession in ancient times,

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Let Truth Be Told

s

ept. 11 will forever
stick in my mind,
as I am sure it will
stick in the minds
of all Americans. The great
magnitude of this tragedy
seems surreal and hard to
comprehend. When I think
of that day, many different
thoughts come to mind.
Something that con-
stantly bothers me is the
thought of the men who
crashed the planes into the

SIMCHA
TZIPPY
COHEN

Special to the
Jewish News

World Trade Center in New
York City. These men gave up
their very lives for the sake of
what they believed in. To us
Jews, this is nothing new —
we have voluntarily given up
our lives for thousands of years
because of our beliefs.
Obviously, the cause that
those men were willing to die
for is wholly corrupt and
ruinous, but it was done in the
name of God. So how do we
know that what we are ready to

•

give our lives for is the absolute truth?
The answer lies in the cause of our
celebration of Passover — our exo-
dus from Egypt so many years ago.
When God redeemed us from our
slavery in ancient times and brought
us to the desert to give us the Torah,
it was done with much fanfare and
publicity. When we were taken out
of Egypt, the whole world was very
much aware of it. And that genera-
tion that was taken out of Egypt
told their children about the exodus,
and that generation told their chil-
dren, and the story was passed down
from generation to generation until
today.
We are secure in our beliefs because

Happy To Be American

am extremely lucky. My
generation of American
Jews knew nothing of
the hardships and
oppression our ancestors faced.
But when our nation was
attacked Sept. 11, many of us
began to understand for the
first time how precious and
tenuous our freedom truly is.
Like most Americans, I
reacted to the Sept. 11 attacks
with shock, anger and confu-
sion. Yet, until President

l

SUSAN
HOROWITZ

Special to the
Jewish News

George W. Bush declared that
"freedom itself was attacked," I
didn't think in terms of a loss
of liberty. In the past, I have
always thought of freedom as
the antithesis of slavery, only to
be lost by bondage, enslave-
ment or death — as has been
the case so often for the Jewish
people.
But now I realize freedom is
so much more.
Freedom is living without
fearing oppression. Freedom is

living in safety and harmony. That's
what the terrorists attacked. But they
did not succeed.
Our country pulled together. Through
compassion, companionship and love
we have shown that we will not be
afraid, for we are proud to be
Americans.
Next week, we tell the story of the
enslavement of our people in Egypt. We
remember the times throughout history
when our people were oppressed. We
celebrate our survival and rejoice at the
fact that now we are free. But this year,

Next Year In Jerusalem

locker slams, a bell
impact of this historic
rings, students con-
moment.
verse.
Today, Jews prepare for
Typical high
Pesach. History and reflection
school life parades the halls.
recall the story of our ancestors'
Subdued by these ordinary
struggle to gain freedom from
high school happenings, ques-
Pharaoh in Egypt. At the seder,
tions and prayers are waiting
we connect with our fellow
to be answered.
Jews in Israel and bridge the
ROB
A few short months ago,
generations of family and the
FELDMAN
this school and the entire
Israelites of old.
Special to the
world came to a screeching
Just as Pharaoh held our
Jewish News
halt. On Sept. 11, 2001, we
ancestors captive, we are held
sat waiting for the latest
captive by a modern pharaoh.
report of the attack on our country;
When terrorists silenced our nation on
none of us fully prepared for the
that infamous Tuesday morning,

A

American Jews experienced what
Israelis anticipate and expect. A bond
was strengthened. Sadly, the only solace
to be found amidst these horrors is in
the renewed love of family and com-
munity. For me, Pesach 2002 will mark
the corning together of family with a
new appreciation and understanding
for community, family and Israel. Like
our ancestors, we stand together in pur-
suit of peace and hope for future gener-
ations.
Every year, we recite, "Next year in
Jerusalem." Each year, upon my
Passover table, we place earth from
Israel, true eretz Yisrael, as a reminder of

ever since it happened, we've been
celebrating a holiday in its commem-
oration. When I think of Sept. 11, I
realize how horrible it can be if peo-
ple believe strongly in things that are
totally destructive.
This Passover, when I go through
the Haggadah, I will be comforted to
know that we have the truth, and that
eventually the truth will prevail.

❑

Simcha Tzippy Cohen, 17, is a senior

at Beth Jacob School for Girls in Oak
Park and president of the student coun-
cil. She attends Agudas Yisroel-Mogen
Abraham in Southfield. Her parents are
Rabbi Avi and Golda Cohen of
Southfield.

that notion of freedom will take on a
new significance. We will celebrate the
fact that we live in a country where we
are free to be Jews, and no matter what
values of American life are attacked, our
nation will pull through.
This Pesach, I'll be a little bit happier
to be home. I'll be a little bit happier to
celebrate our heritage. But mostly, I'll be
a little bit happier to live in America,
where I know freedom will always sur-
vive. ❑

Susan Horowitz, 19, is a freshman at the

University of Michigan. She is a member
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek and is the
daughter of Michael and Barbara
Horowitz ofWest Bloomfield.

our time in Jerusalem and my resolu-
tion to return to the Promised Land in
a time of peace. We must not let our
promises get lost in the war of terror.
As the Jews prevailed against Pharaoh,
we must prevail against hatred.
For me, saying "Next year in
Jerusalem" renews my commitment
to my homeland, my heritage — a
symbol of my eternal Jewish hope
and prayer. ❑

Rob Feldman, 17, is an 11th-grader at
North Farmington High School in
Farmington Hills and a member of
Temple Israel. He is the son of Murray
and Marla Feldman and became bar
mitzvah atop Masada in December 1996
in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Harold
Loss of Temple Israel.

3/22
2002

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