4 | APRIL 18 • 2024 
J
N

a Passover message from Federation
A Time for Hope and Gratitude 
T

his week, families 
across Metro Detroit 
— and in Jewish 
communities throughout the 
world — are busy preparing 
for the festival of Passover, one 
of the oldest and most widely 
celebrated of our holidays.
It’s no accident 
that Passover 
holds such 
importance 
in our lives. 
Enveloped in 
the familiar 
warmth of the 
seder table, 
the powerful 
symbols and 
rituals invite us 
to personally 
identify with our 
ancestors who 
took part in the 
Exodus. The 
act of reliving 
their struggle 
and redemption, 
“as if he or she 
personally had 
come out of 
Egypt,” connects 
us to the origins 
of our faith. 
But the story of Passover 
is more than mere history. 
Its emphasis on resilience, 
justice and human dignity 
contains a blueprint for our 
survival and flourishing as a 
people. For that reason, it has 
unique significance in times 
of hardship. Observing the 
seder remained vital to Soviet- 
era refuseniks languishing in 
prison, and by the courageous 
occupants of the Warsaw 
ghetto on the brink of their 
annihilation. It’s also why the 
holiday has such profound 
relevance today. 
On Oct. 7, more than 230 

Israeli citizens were brutally 
captured by Hamas terrorists, 
and over 100 still remain in 
Gaza. They will all be with 
us, in our thoughts and in 
our hearts, as we break the 
bread of affliction and taste 
the bitter herb that recalls the 
suffering of our ancestors in 
Egypt. We are also aware of 
the immense challenges facing 
the Israeli people, who have 
been traumatized, displaced 
and isolated on the world stage 
as they confront an existential 
threat. When we proclaim, 
“Next year in Jerusalem,” we 
will look forward to a time of 
renewed peace and security 
for the citizens of our Jewish 
homeland. 
Our fellow Jews in Ukraine, 
many of whom are elderly 
and infirm, also remain 
captive under the tyranny of 
unprovoked aggression. They, 
too, seek freedom from the 
uncertainties and deprivations 
of war.
And as antisemitism 
continues to rise, in public 
discourse and in acts of open 
hostility, we seek the freedom 
of a world without prejudice, 
intolerance or hate — for Jews 
or any others. 
Above all, however, the 
message of Passover is one 
of hope. It reminds us that 
oppression can be overcome, 
and that the freedoms we 
strive for can be achieved 
through the power of 
our collective hope and 
determination.
This is central to our work 
at the Jewish Federation of 
Detroit. Working closely with 
our partner agencies and with 
Jewish organizations across 
the community, we ensure that 
every individual is free to live 

a life of meaning, purpose and 
connection.
This means the freedom for 
our young people to explore 
their heritage and traditions, 
and to build strong Jewish 
identities. It’s the freedom for 
families to grow and thrive, 
and for older adults to live 
in comfort and dignity. It’s 
the freedom for those who 
may feel helpless or alone to 
find stability, acceptance and 
inclusion. And it’s the freedom 
for all to enjoy the richness of 
our Jewish faith and traditions, 
without hesitation or fear.
Gratitude is yet another vital 
aspect of the Passover holiday. 
We recognize and appreciate 
the abundant miracles that 
delivered our people with the 
simple phrase expressed in 
the song from our Haggadah, 
Dayenu. Enough. 
With that, we’d like to offer 
our most sincere appreciation 
for this extraordinary 
community. It would have 
been enough simply to have 
thrived here in Detroit for 
more than 100 years, and to 
have remained, in that time, 
a remarkably vibrant and 
cohesive community.
But ours is among the most 
committed and generous 
communities to be found 
anywhere, and together we are 
doing so much good amidst 
the complexity and turbulence 
of our world. 
It is more than enough, 
and for that we are extremely 
grateful.
Chag Sameach. 

Gary Torgow is the president of the 

Jewish Federation of Detroit. Michael 

Berger is president of the United 

Jewish Foundation. Steven Ingber 

is CEO of the Jewish Federation of 

Detroit.

Gary Torgow

Michael 
Berger

Steven 
Ingber

PURELY COMMENTARY

Yiddish Limerick

A Sweet 
Pesach!

Der shtub azay Pesachdik, 
 der tzimmer will shine 
Der tish azay shayn, mit di 
 glezlaykh of vine.
 Mir Essen un trinken,
 the Haggadah we read
 Mir zinger di zmirot, 
 ich bin hayzerik un 
 mid. 
Oh Pesach, my Pesach, do 
 Kum, kum arayn.
 
Der shrub azay Pesachdik- 
 the house is very Pesach 
 ready 
der tzimmer - the room 
Der tish azay shayn - the 
 table so beautiful 
mit di glazlaykh of vine - 
 with the glasses of wine 
Mir essen un trinken - we 
 eat and drink 
Mir zingen di zmirot - we 
 sing the songs 
ich bin hayzerik un mid - I 
 am hoarse and tired 
Kum, kum arayn - come, 
 come in

By Rachel Kapen

Myway Member exclusive PricIng 
Valid 4/8/24-4/30/24

Holy SpeS 

Busch’s Fresh FoOd Market is not
a Kosher establishment

MA COHEN’S - Kos
sod /sid
NOVA LOX
4 oz.

