Passover 2004

(Published in The Outreach, April 2004)
The Outreach is the newsletter of Valley Outreach Synagogue, Reseda, California
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Passover is upon us. It is time to prepare the house; time to decide whether we should host the seder or be someone else’s guests. Perhaps we also factor in the decision of whether to use the same Haggadah or to explore a new one (often a good idea). In many homes, the seder leader also decides how lengthy the Hagaddic reading should be; to include every page or mark out key readings? Of course, it is also time for the edible Judaica stand to be set up at our local supermarket. Every holiday brings out the same Jewish foods regardless of their suitability. Personally, I choose not to eat matzo-meal brownies on Rosh Hashanah. Nonetheless, there they are next to the borsht, Chanukah candles, Yorzeit candles, red and white horseradish, Chanukkah gelt and matzo.

Irony aside, how richly blessed we are to be catered to in such a way. Ralph’s may have got some of the selection wrong, but nonetheless, they cater to our holiday needs. Of course, “our needs” equals their revenue. However, we can choose to be cynical or appreciative of the gesture and of what it represents. Having just returned from Europe, I am acutely aware of our good fortune in being Jews living in America. We American Jews live in a uniquely safe and comfortable world. I have not seen a kosher section or a Jewish Holiday Foods Stand displayed in a European market. Many European Jewish friends of mine do not have mezuzahs affixed to their doors. It is either because they do not value the symbol or because they fear advertising their Jewishness. I suspect the latter. Outside the United States and Israel our Jewishness is seen as our business, not theirs. It is far easier to abandon tradition in such an environment than in ours where our identity is accepted and for the most part, comfortable.

Passover is an annual reminder of our collective Jewish history and of the miracle of our endurance. As in all of our historical tribulations, both God and we are responsible for our survival and for our continued contribution to our word. Passover presents us with another gift. Regardless of how isolated we may have allowed ourselves to become during the year, the Seder places us at the same table as our family and friends and allows us time for prayer, contemplation, and conversation and...did I mention...food?.

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy Passover,

Cantor Ron Li-Paz