2023

ION. Other words: ADORATION, RADIATION, ADDITION, R, RADIANT, ANDROID, TORNADO, ORDAIN, INDOOR, INROAD, , RADAR, TRIAD, RONDO, RADII, RADIO, DONOR, DRAIN, ADORN, DINAR, NADIR Yoni at koshercroswords@gmail.com

‘

The Jewish world has changed significantly in recent decades. It faces challenges of assimilation that were virtually unknown to our grandparents – challenges that are becoming increasingly difficult to address as society becomes more secularised.

Newfound freedoms, affluence and cultural osmosis have blurred the boundaries of traditional Judaism and created an appetite, if not an expectation, for us to change the very fabric of our Jewish identity.

On the one hand, this can be seen as a positive. It means many Jews no longer mindlessly adhere to the status quo. They question, engage and necessarily challenge the upbringing of their parents. They force a rethink of what it means to be Jewish and how we choose to identify as Jews in the 21st century. But, if left unanswered, this challenge can also erode the foundations of a 4,000-year-old faith.

Ironically, this dilemma goes straight to the heart of Pesach. At Passover, we were emancipated from slavery and born as a people.

Previously held under Egyptian rule against our will, we were now free to leave behind the chains of slavery.