March 2008 Bulletin Message

A few years ago when I was working at Salomon Schechter Jewish Day School, every morning I recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Millions of students all across the United States do the same. Since I am not an American, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is probably not as meaningful as it is for an American. Nevertheless, I found the last line of the pledge very powerful and significant for me personally. In many ways the line “Liberty and Justice for All” captures the fundamental nature of this nation and its values.  

For years our ancestors searched and fought for freedom. My grandparents, who lived in Europe during the Second World War, hid from the Nazi regime. At the end of the war they ran from the communists who gained control of Eastern Europe. They moved to Israel – a land that in many ways symbolized a new hope and liberty for Diaspora Jewry. However, very shortly after arriving, they realized that freedom would come at a cost; my grandfather was required to join the Israeli army and defend his new country from many neighboring enemies. My father was to do the same, as were my brother and I. For generations freedom and justice came at a price for my family.  

The holiday of Pesach represents many values. It symbolizes a tradition that has lasted thousands of years, promotes the importance of family, and strengthens our connection with klal Yisrael (all Israel). To me, the most important value of Pesach is freedom. Although freedom is not easy to maintain, and sometimes we must sacrifice much to achieve it, we still hope for it. Pesach goes by many names, the most powerful of which is Chag Cheruteynu – the Holiday of Our Freedom. Many generations of my ancestors celebrated Pesach during different times and at various places. They certainly had their own interpretations regarding the meaning of Pesach as they sat together and ate the Seder meal. However, I believe that all of them realized the significance of Pesach in symbolizing one underlying condition – freedom. 

A few months ago President Bush addressed the world in his last State of the Union speech. During his speech he mentioned the word “freedom” 10 times and the word “liberty” eight times. Many Americans take these immense words and ideas for granted; perhaps as did my students at Solomon Schechter who recited them without conviction every day. During the Seder meal we have the opportunity to think back to our ancestors and their struggle for freedom 250 generations ago and even only two generations ago. This examination of our shared past invokes the appreciation of our freedom in today’s democratic United State of America.  I wish you a happy Chag Cherut (Holiday of Freedom)!