Category: Holidays

Toward the end of the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Chronicles 28:20, we read, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord God my God is with you.” King David spoke these words of advice to his son Solomon. However, the words are equally true for each generation. The Jewish people’s existence is replete with individuals of such courage and faith.

At this time of year, we remember many of our brethren who displayed faith through the generations. We start this month with the celebration of Passover, our annual celebration of our people’s exodus from Egypt and freedom to serve God instead of the pharaoh. We move quickly from Passover to our annual commemoration of those who endured and withstood the horrors of the Shoah, as we mark Yom Ha-Shoah. Finally, we recognize with joy the modern miracle of those who fought for the modern state of Israel’s independence.

Each of these religious and modern observances reminds us to stand firm in the face of danger and remain proud of our heritage. Although antisemitism is on the rise, we still have so much to be grateful for in this country and time. This includes the many opportunities for communal gathering, such as our synagogue seder, Yom Ha-Shoah service, and Israel 75 celebration. Life is uncertain, but as King David said, “Stay strong and be of good courage.” Hope to see you soon.

Celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary 

Temple Beth Am is throwing a party in honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary and the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948, on Sunday, April 30, at 5:15 p.m. This extravaganza will include a fully catered Glatt kosher Middle Eastern dinner; music by Randy Stevens Entertainment, including Israeli and jazz music, singing, and dancing; and many great raffle prizes and giveaways (see the full-page ad).

If you can only attend one party this year, this is the one you do not want to miss.

For more information, visit www.beth-am.org or call the office at (954) 968-4545, which is open Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

It’s that time of year! Chocolate bunnies, candy eggs, and pastel colors can only mean that it is time for Easter.

Many of us have grown up with excitement about the Easter Bunny and receiving a basket full of goodies on Easter Sunday. As exciting as an egg hunt may be, many are not sure exactly why this holiday is so significant.

To the Christian, Easter is one of the most important days of the year because it symbolizes hope. Hope is defined as a desire for a certain thing to happen. Easter is when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people today are struggling with hope based on what we see in the news or in our own circumstances. We get so used to hearing bad news that many are living in a place of hopelessness.

Easter provides hope because it shows how the God of this universe loves us all. He overcame every struggle we could face. He did that when he defeated death on the cross. Three days later he rose from the dead, and because Jesus had the power to defeat death, he has the power to give you eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Imagine being one of the followers of Jesus on Good Friday, the day that He was beaten and hung on a cross to die. It looked like a hopeless end, much like many of us are feeling today. But hope was just around the corner.

Are you looking for hope? No matter how dark your circumstances may seem, Easter is an opportunity for us to change our old ways and enter into our new abundant life with Christ. This is something worth celebrating. Happy Easter!

Steve Daigle is the Campus Pastor of Calvary Chapel Parkland.

“In each and every generation a person is obliged to regard him/herself
as if he/she had come out of Egypt.”

—Haggadah

Each year, the holiday of Passover returns during the springtime, recounting the story of the Israelites liberated from Egyptian slavery. Jews tell this story, with the assistance of a Haggadah, to remind us that in every generation, throughout time, all Jews regardless of status, age, or gender are to feel as if we personally made this journey as our ancestors had. We are obligated to retell this story because our freedom is not to be taken for granted — it is a sacred redemption. The “Exodus” is a powerful spiritual liberation, not just a physical one. The quote above talks about how each and every generation has this responsibility. The generations are not only time-bound, for every human within them carries this obligation. This narrative celebrates resilience, renewal, and freedom.

Passover falls on the eve of the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, lasting for seven or eight days depending on if you are an Israeli or a Reform Jew or if you are an Orthodox or Conservative Jew living in the diaspora. It is one of only a few holidays celebrated privately in homes, centered around a meal, making it one of the most celebrated holidays by Jews next to Chanukah and the High Holy Days.

The traditional meal called a Seder (meaning “order”), is outlined in a book called the Haggadah, which is read aloud at the dinner table. Haggadah means “the telling” of the story — the exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah also lists the order the story is told as well as the ritual foods that are blessed first and then eaten.

The number 4 comes up many times throughout the Haggadah. There are four sons described, four questions asked and answered, four cups of wine blessed, and four terms used by God in Exodus to describe the redemption. However, there are six symbolic foods on the Passover Seder plate: maror (the bitter herbs), charoset (chopped apples, nuts, cinnamon, and sweet red wine), karpas (parsley), chazeret (lettuce), zeroah (shank bone), and beitzah egg. They all have a unique symbolism to remind us of the bitterness of slavery in Egypt, the Passover sacrifice of a lamb in ancient Jerusalem, and the renewal of life in the spring.

The most commonly recognized food for Passover is the unleavened bread, or matzah, which reminds us of how our ancestors fled quickly from Egypt when freed, not having enough time to fully allow their bread to rise. “They baked the dough that they took out of Egypt into unleavened cakes [matzot], for it was not leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay; nor had they prepared provisions for themselves” (Exodus 12:39). It became known as the bread of affliction as there were few ingredients given to the Hebrews at the time, but it also became the symbol of freedom. At the seder, the middle matzah is broken in half by the leader and then hidden for children to find after the main meal. It must be returned to the leader, for a small reward, for the seder to finish with this as the dessert.

I wish all who are celebrating this holiday to have a meaningful seder experience with family and friends while fulfilling our sacred obligation to retell the story as we appreciate the freedoms we have today. “Chag Pesach kasher vesame’ach.” Have a happy and blessed Passover!

Rabbi Melissa Stollman is a major gifts officer for the Union for Reform Judaism.