48 | APRIL 18 • 2024
J
N
N
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