At Passover we bear witness to the harsh reality that “in every generation there are those who rise against us to try to destroy us.” In Israel, we witnessed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and the recent, frightening escalation with Iran, including its unprecedented direct attack. Here in America, we have known for years that antisemitism has been on the rise, but this is different. It feels like the ground under us has fundamentally shifted, and we wonder just how secure we are, in either of our two homes.
With all of this going on in the world, I keep coming back to the song “Vehi She-amda.” It’s traditionally sung at the Passover seder but its message has resonated with me over the past six months. It has become a popular song in Israel, and it was the anthem of the 300,000-person “March for Israel” in Washington, D.C., last November. I had the privilege of singing Vehi She-amda alongside students from Gann Academy last week and I want to share the recording with you.
Vehi She-amda reminds us of the reality of Jewish vulnerability, which some of us are coming to really understand right now. Even as this song forces us to confront this vulnerability, it will not let us despair. In every generation, we always manage to survive, to “be saved,” to persevere. It is a reminder of the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Jewish People.
There have been so many reminders of that resilience and that spirit over the past six months, both in Israel and right here in our own community. Thank you for all the ways you continue to inspire me and give me hope for the future.
Wishing you and your families a Chag Kasher v’Sameach, a happy and meaningful Passover. For Passover resources, including holiday recipes, activities for kids, and more, visit JewishBoston.com/Passover.
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