Pesach 5786: What Story Will You Choose to Share?

I was recently asked the following question: What do you believe are the challenges that face the Jewish World at this moment?

It should come as no surprise that (unfortunately) the first thing I shared was Antisemitism. Let’s face it: We are all walking into Passover this year, let alone through a world where to say “I’m Jewish” can be daunting. We are all walking into Passover this year, let alone through a world where to say, “I stand with Israel and believe in Israel’s Right to Exist and Defend Itself” (regardless of Politics) can cause more anger than not.

Yet, what is powerful is that even in times where challenges, Antisemitism, hatred, etc. arise, Jewish Tradition teaches us that we continue to be both proud to be Jewish and do Jewish. As it is taught through the words of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav, “The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.” At the same time, our tradition illuminates the vision: “Am Yisrael Chai. Od Avinu Chai!” (The People of Israel live, our Father yet lives!). 

It is with that thought in mind that, this year, in preparing for Pesach (Passover), I chose to have my 6th-grade religious school Students paint the “Shirat Hayam,” the “Song at the Sea.” In preparing for this, my students looked at different interpretations of “Shirat Hayam” and, when ready, transitioned to bringing their art to life on canvas. Some of their artwork was a more traditional representation of this incredible miracle, while others were more contemporary and abstract. Regardless, it was incredible to see my students find meaning and inspiration in this moment.

As I shared with them, this text of “Shirat Hayam” is traditionally linked to the 7th Day of Passover, but it is very much at the core of who we are as a Jewish People. This is because, as the Mishnah teaches, “That you may remember the day you went out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life” (Mishnah Berakhot 1: 5). In other words, we are obligated to remember each day that we were once slaves in Egypt and now we are free. 

This year, however, I believe that the imagery of the “Shirat Hayam” plays an essential role in reminding the Jewish World that even though our people have experienced much darkness within narrow places, there is still light, hope, joy, and sweetness to be found. At the same time, I believe that the imagery of the “Shirat Hayam” serves as an important reminder to continue to build resilience. As it is taught, when the sea split, the Israelites were able to look only in one direction: forward. They could not look up or down, not even left or right. This is because, rather than dwell on the darkness behind them, it was important to look forward to the light. 

The Passover Seder, itself, is designed to make us think about the story we choose to illuminate: Do we choose to focus on Fear, or on our Resilience, Hope, and Joy as a People? As Rabbi Neil Zuckerman of Park Avenue Synagogue writes, “the Haggadah illuminates, “In every generation, they rise up to destroy us.” But the very next line is just as essential: “And the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand.” The story doesn’t conclude with fear—it turns toward redemption” (Zuckerman 2026). That is why opening the door for Elijah to our Seders is powerful, as it symbolizes hope, trusting that a redeemed world will come swiftly and sooner than later and serves as a moment that we not only sing, but think about the future that we would like to see for ourselves, for each other, for Israel, for the Jewish People, for the World, etc. Just as the Israelites wandered towards light, the Prophet Elijah’s presence at our Seder is a moment of looking towards it as well.

As a Jewish Educator, it is not surprising that, when teaching, eyes are (hopefully) watching and ears are (hopefully) actively listening. That is why it is so essential to be mindful of the types of stories, actions, values, etc., that are being passed on. Is it a story of the Jewish People that is rooted in fear, that only allows fear to be passed on? Or is it a story of the Jewish People that is a story filled with moments of fear and destruction, yet balanced with joy, sweetness, resilience, and Tikvah, hope? 

This year, as we gather around our Seder Tables, may we all look for the opportunities together to sing, to dream, to look forward to what is to come, and to share in the joy of our traditions together. At the end of the day, our story might have components of destruction within it, but at the end of the day, it is our ability, from Generation to Generation, despite what we, as a people, have experienced, to choose hope, to choose life, and to choose strength, and as a result, we are still here, and G-D willing always will be.

May this Passover be a Zissen (Sweet) and joyful Pesach for Am Yisrael, and may we ALL be able to experience freedom and redemption, and G-D willing, more Sweetness and Light, in the coming days ahead.

Chag Kasher V’Sameach from my family to yours!

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