Jewish communities prepare for 'very different' Passover

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Jews all over the world are preparing to celebrate the holiday of Passover starting the night of Wednesday, April 8.

Passover is one of the major holidays for Jewish people, and it retells the story of the Exodus of the Jewish slaves leaving the tyranny of the pharaoh in Egypt.

However, this year, store shelves are stocked, travel plans are canceled, and Jewish communities will be celebrating apart due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“There is no doubt that, this year, Passover is going to feel very different,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser of Temple Sinai in Cranston.

He added: “How is this Passover different from all other Passovers? Well, for one thing, the 10 plagues that afflicted Egypt will not be the plague foremost in our minds. This year, Jews should cancel plans for large family gatherings and limit themselves just to the members of their immediate household. I know that the thought of not being together with extended family is heartbreaking for many Jewish families, but it is what we need to do this year to save lives.”

For many Jewish families, Passover is really the holiday they can enjoy as a family. Since there is no rushing to get to temple for services like with Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. A somber service with a joyous and festive meal and message – the Passover Seder – it also lacks the hectic backdrop of Hanukkah.

Goldwasser said some may question the value of the Seder this year given that extended families will be unable to gather together.

“In some ways, I think the message of Passover is even more important for us to hear this year than any other year,” he said. “Passover reminds us of the sorrow of suffering and gives us the courage to do something about it. This year, when we taste the saltwater tears, we will be thinking of the anguish suffered by billions of people across the globe because of COVID-19.”

He added: “This year, the matzah we eat should make us think not only of the poverty of the Hebrew slaves … it should also remind us of those today who are impoverished and most vulnerable to the new coronavirus. This year, the sweetness of the wine and charoset should give us hope of the coming time when this modern plague will be lifted and we will reenter ‘normal’ life with a greater appreciation of our communities and our health.”

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