Dear Friends,

As we prepare for Passover this year, many of us are feeling the weight of a world that is shifting beneath our feet. From uncertainty in Israel and the Middle East to an increasingly tense political climate here in the U.S., there are many questions for us to wrestle with when we sit around our Seder tables.

As I share in the video message below, it is important for us to lean into questions about our Jewish story and how the holiday’s timeless themes speak to our lives and the world today. Passover reminds us that while in every generation each of us must see ourselves as if we personally went out of Egypt, the journey toward freedom is one we walk together.

At CJP, we strive to build a community where everyone feels a sense of connection and belonging. Passover asks us all to do the same, to open our doors and our hearts to others and “let all who are hungry come and eat, let all who are in need of community join our celebration.”

As you gather at your Seder table this year, I hope you feel the strength that comes from belonging and purpose. I am so grateful to be telling — and writing — our shared story together.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Chag Sameach, a meaningful and hopeful Passover.