Israelis Mark Passover in Shadow of Captives and Conflict
As Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, approaches, many Israelis are in a somber mood amid the ongoing captivity of over 130 hostages in the Gaza Strip and the continued conflict in the region.
The holiday, which traditionally involves joyful gatherings and a retelling of the biblical story of liberation, will be marked this year with a focus on the missing hostages and the ongoing turmoil.
The Seder meal, a central part of the Passover celebration where families gather to read the Haggadah, a text recounting the Israelites’ enslavement and liberation from Egypt, will carry a profound meaning this year. Many families will place an empty chair at their tables to represent the absent loved ones, a poignant reminder of the hostages’ plight.
Irit Feingold, a pedagogic instructor for preschoolers, plans to spend the Seder night with her extended family, focusing on the themes of leadership, freedom, and staying free.
“We will mark the Seder night for the children,” Feingold said. “We will talk about leadership, freedom, and staying free, and everybody can share what they feel.”
Despite the somber mood, Feingold believes it’s imperative to resist sliding back into normalcy and routine. “Every festival is another milestone showing how we aren’t whole,” she said.
The organization representing most of the families of the hostages is urging them to place an empty chair at their table with a portrait of a hostage or a yellow ribbon, a tribute to the captives.
The ongoing conflict has also taken a toll on the country, with over 1,200 Israelis and over 34,000 Palestinians killed in the fighting. Tens of thousands of residents of northern and southern Israel remain in temporary accommodations, having fled their homes due to the attacks.
Despite the challenges, Israelis are determined to observe Passover and find solace in the holiday’s message of hope and liberation.
Additional Notes:
– Israelis are still jittery after an exchange of fire with Iran this month, the first time Iran had directly attacked Israel from Iranian territory.
– Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son is among the hostages, will participate in a Seder with close friends and family. She acknowledges that the emotions may be overwhelming, saying, “if 15 minutes in we just can’t do it… we will cry.”
– Daily tit-for-tat attacks over the northern border with Lebanon have turned a portion of Israel into an evacuation zone.
