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
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