An Open Letter for Passover

To Jews and non Jews alike,

Jews all over the world will be celebrating Passover this week. Traditionally, Jews retell the story of their ancestors' liberation from slavery in Egypt at their Sedars. Passover is the celebration of freedom. The question this Jew asks is how can we celebrate freedom, when so many of our brothers and sisters around the world are not free.

My grandmother came this this country in the early 1900's to escape persecution and the threat of death because of religious hate and intolerance in Russia. My Father escaped to the US from Nazi Germany and probable death in the 1930's. I learned through my family, religious teachings and life experiences that the injustice, persecution, intolerance, hate and bigotry that my family suffered was to be remembered. That never again would Jews accept this.

Unfortunately, at this time of the year, I think about my brothers and sisters in this country and around the world that are experiencing these same atrocities that my family experienced and were lucky enough to escape. What I question is how so many Jews can remember our past, but look away at the suffering of others happening now in this country and around the world.

When the Nazis were defeated, did the Jews not want the Nazis held accountable for their inhumane, illegal acts. Why then are Jews not raising their voices for accountability and justice for the US soldiers and Iraqis that the US government killed because of a illegal war. Why is there so much silence when we should be screaming for accountability and justice. Are those dead soldiers and Iraqi civilians not just as worthy of justice as our ancestors? Are we not jsut as afraid that if these war criminals are not held accountable that history will more likely continue to repeat itself.

Why are so many Jews not crying out for our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza, who like Jews in Eastern Europe were herded into ghettos, where they were dehumanized and slowly starved by the Nazis. Just like the innocent people in the Warsaw ghetto watched as women and children starved, as they were humiliated and degraded. Why now do Jews sit silently when Israel is doing this to the Palestinians of Gaza? Why do we justify the overwhelming use of force against innocent civilians, when out of desperation some Palestinians fight back, just like the freedom fighters in the Warsaw ghetto. What is the difference? Injustice is injustice.

We learned from our ancestors the struggles they had with poverty in the old countries and in this country. When they were not allowed to enter into professions, get jobs, live where ever they wanted because of being Jewish. I remember my grandmother telling about how she slaved in a sweatshop at age 12, so she could help support her family. Why are Jews not out on the streets fighting like my grandmother did for a living wage and safe working conditions. My father despite fighting for this country in WWII, was denied entry into some schools and a job offer was rescinded because of his being Jewish. Yet, why are we not fighting the bigotry, discrimination and intolerance that is going on in our communities, in this country and throughout the world that leaves people with unequal opportunities and in poverty because of race, gender, age, and a multitude other reasons.

This Passover I will be thinking about what Passover really means, "a celebration of freedom" and will recommit to speak out against injustice, intolerance, bigotry, and persecution, whether it be based on religion, race, nationality, gender, age, economic status, or for any other reason. In the famous words of Rev. Martin Niemoller:

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I know this year like all others, I will say " Never again".