Happy Passover 2009
From Congregation Or Hadash!!
Shalom,
Firstly, I would like to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Passover holiday!!
Passover is an important holiday, and is one that certainly has its place within the Jewish calendar and culture. During Passover, all Jews participate in two seders, which simply means “order”. Spring is and has always been the season when nature renews itself, and when people take time out to make order in their busy lives. Spring is the time when we clean our houses and our minds of clutter after the long winter, open up the windows, and breathe in the new fresh air.
For us here in Israel, time has passed and we can now make more sense of this past winter’s events, while honoring our nearly 61 years as a free and independent country. This is another theme of Passover, freedom. During the seder we are encouraged to slouch our shoulders, lean back in our seats, and enjoy the comforts of life-unless of course you are the host or hostess of the event, in which case you may not get so much rest between the Matzo balls and brisket.
At Or Hadash this year we will have many different seders to share the feeling of family, freedom, and new beginnings with those who are in need of a caring and supportive environment. These populations include: Those who do not have a family or a home; Holocaust survivors; and Disabled children and their families. For those who can not make it to Or Hadash to be with us on the holiday, we will pass out nearly 200 Passover baskets to needy Ethiopian families in the city.
Passover is also a time hope. The Israelites hoped that they would be delivered from Egypt, and every year Jews in the Diaspora and in Israel hope to all come together once again in the holy land, and in Jerusalem.
Even though it is written “Next year in Jerusalem”, I hope that each and every one of you will this year say “Next year in Haifa”. Our special and unique city is where my holiest dreams and aspirations continue to come true on a daily basis thanks to this terrific community, and our friends in America and abroad. For me, I can not imagine a place where I would rather work or live. And, I can not imagine a place where I would rather have my Passover seder, except of course with all of you.
Hoping to see you all in the coming months and for next year’s seder,
Rabbi Dr. Edgar Nof & The Or Hadash Family