The Passover story as told in the Haggadah recounts how Israel moved from darkness into light; from ignorance and a history of idolatry into freedom and glory. A permanent and a continuing saga, Passover is an event which eternally calls people of all generations to hope and anticipation of a new dawn. Indeed, the springtime festival of Passover represents a new life for all who suffered during the long years of exile and oppression. Celebrating the joyful festival at the Seder table, we remember our long and stormy history.
The Passover story is living drama, a script involving Israel's children of all generations: a story of a fight for freedom, for human dignity, and for a permanent home for all the children of Israel. Passover is a democratic struggle for human dignity. From generation to generation one must picture oneself as having been freed from Egypt. The ongoing struggle for dignity and freedom has given the Jewish people the will, the power, and the determination to fight on.
Today, Passover’s legacy sustains the Jewish people's struggle against terrorism and global antisemitism. We learned from history and gained faith and the confidence to continue our struggle against all present enemies – toward the ultimate victory.
The story of Passover enjoins all men and women to join in brotherhood, to join in the building of Jerusalem and Israel and, by that very fact in the rebuilding of the world! This festival is the festival of human freedom, a fascinating miracle by which human dignity is restored to all generations.
Hag Pesach Sameah! To all CIJR’s friends and to the entire am Israel, the Jewish people, and to all men and women of good will.
(Baruch Cohen is Research Chairman of the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research,
And a member of the Holocaust Memorial Center)
