2 minute read
Passover 5785
Letter From the Editor
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how complicated it can feel to show up as a visibly Jewish person in today’s world—and what it means to do so with courage, clarity, and hope.
This year, I feel that question pressing against more than just ritual. I feel it echoing in our headlines, in our communities, and even on our screens. We are living in a time when simply wishing someone “Happy Passover” on social media can be flagged as political. When Jewish identity itself, regardless of context, is often misunderstood, questioned, or distorted. And when the ancient story of our people’s freedom is tangled with modern-day pressures to justify, explain, or defend who we are.
A few weeks ago, I watched the film October 8. It was deeply moving—and sobering. It reminded me not just of what our community has endured, but of why the work we do at Columbia Jewish Federation matters more than ever. Creating safe spaces for Jewish life—both in person and online—is not just a nice-to-have. It is essential. It is sacred.
Security, education, advocacy, connection—these aren’t just Federation initiatives. They are the pillars of our collective safety, identity, and resilience. When misinformation spreads faster than truth, we must be louder with facts. When antisemitism moves from the margins to the mainstream, we must be unwavering in our pride. When people seek comfort, meaning, and community, we must ensure they have a place to turn.
Passover reminds us that memory is a form of resistance—and joy is, too. When we celebrate openly, learn bravely, and lead with compassion, we don’t just honor our past. We shape a Jewish future that is safer, stronger, and more whole.
