48 | APRIL 18 • 2024 
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ext Year in Jerusalem” is this year 
in Israel for some Metro Detroiters 
eagerly awaiting the opportunity 
to spend Passover overseas with family and 
friends. They say that being there post-Oct. 
7 takes on a much deeper meaning than pre-
vious holidays spent in Israel. 
Before their travels, Barb Haddad, Jennie 
Levy and Aviv Vered shared some thoughts 
and feelings about their upcoming visits. All 
said they take frequent trips to Israel, but this 
marks their first time back since the current 
conflict began more than six months ago. 

“I think it feels supportive to people that 
we’re going and that we’re not afraid to be 
there,
” says Haddad, a West Bloomfield res-
ident who will be visiting family in Netivot 
with her husband. “It’s really nice to be in 
Israel for the holidays, particularly Passover. 
It’s very authentic. It feels like that’s where 
the Jewish people should be. Everything feels 
a little bit more meaningful when you’re 
there for a holiday.
”
Aviv Vered and his wife, Dana, are trav-
eling to Ashdod with their three children, 
Noam, 11, Sivan, 9, and Neiv, 5. Almost all of 

Vered’s family lives in Israel. The Bloomfield 
Hills couple says their kids are apprehensive 
about the trip yet excited to see their grand-
parents. In the weeks leading up to the trip, 
they’ve tried to reassure them that things 
are quieter there now, and they’ll be safe at 
Sabba and Safta’s house. 
As for Vered’s feelings about returning to 
his homeland, he’s not sure what to expect. 
“Is it going to be sadness on the street? Is 
the environment going to change? I just don’t 
know. And that’s something that I’m curious 
about. I know we’re going to face a lot of the 

CLOCKWISE: Seder plate and food from 
Mimouna, a Moroccan Jewish party marking 
the end of Passover. Shimon Levy’s mom and 
aunt prepare mufleta for Mimouna.

Metro Detroiters planning to spend 
Pesach in Israel.

JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PASSOVER

This Year

