CBI Blogs

“Matzah, charoset, and singing with Sarah,

Seder and laughing till tears ruin mascara,

Coconut macaroons from a big can,

These Pesach goodies are better than lamb.

Blood on the doorframe

Frogs in the kitchen

When it’s super dark.

I think of my favorite Passover things

And then I can feel that spark.”

My lyric writing may not be the best, but these really are some of my favorite Passover things! I’ve always had a challenging relationship with this holiday, especially as a child. As an April birthday, my special day would often fall during Pesach, ruining my chances for birthday cake. Or, even more challenging, the first night would fall on my birthday and instead of a party or fun dinner, we would have a seder.

As an adult, I’ve come to appreciate Passover for the holiday it was always intended to be: a time of celebration and utter joy. While eating matzah for 7 (or 8) days doesn’t always feel so joyful, it reminds us of why we’re celebrating our freedom. Even though matzah is referred to as the “bread of affliction,” it reminds us that we are now free to celebrate and enjoy our freedom, freedom to exist as we choose, to pray as we want, to live as we live.

We know that this year’s Passover feels different as we consider the many challenges the Jewish world faces. We yearn for a time of peace, of celebrating Passover as our redemption and liberation, and not thinking about those who still long to be free. As Jews, we also think about all humans suffering, those in need of the same freedom we’re meant to celebrate during this holiday season.

As our Pesach celebration draws to a close, it’s nearly impossible to imagine where the world will be in a year from now. Who will be at the seder table next year? Who will be missing? How many additional plagues will we include in our retelling of the Exodus story? Will we celebrate a true and just freedom for all? We are not fortune tellers, nor can we determine the future. But, we can imagine it, we can hope what might be. We can dream it and we can do our part to bring it to fruition.

On this Pesach, we pray for all to be free, to find the same joy we’re all looking for, to celebrate our redemption. Next year, may we all be free, living in peace and joy. Wishing you all a Zissen Pesach, a sweet Passover!