Celebrating Passover and Easter

On Sunday, my husband, daughter and I are hosting a Passover/Easter meal. In true "Shul of New York fashion,” our group of 9 is 50/50 Jewish/Christian plus one self-described “Cashew”. The menu is definitely leaning Easter … ham, potatoes, green vegetables … (the three of us had our Matza Ball soup and brisket the first night) but appetizers will include smoked fish, matza and haroseth and our Seder plate will, of course, grace the dining room table.

Besides religious differences, our composition is as varied as the menu. We are a 50/50 mix of Seniors and 30-somethings; politically we are mostly liberals with a sprinkling of conservatives; we are racially and gender and sexual preference mixed as well.

Such a rich blend of individuals mandates an equally rich topic for dinner conversation. But what topic? I am inclined to embrace the conventional wisdom banning politics and religion; they could only lead to indigestion. Yet how to ignore the current state of our country with the total disregard of individual rights we have long taken for granted.

The Passover story reminds us of our liberation from slavery in Egypt. But unlike the Jews who were slaves and gained their freedom, we are, or were, free people who are losing ours. As we hear of law firms and others on their knees, bringing burnt offerings to Washington DC, we can’t help imaging Pharaoh receiving the spoils of war from conquered tribes. The question that burns to be asked is: Where is the modern-day Moses who will stand up to our new Pharaoh and speak truth to power?

I do not know what our Passover/Easter discussion will be; our daughter wisely advised to let it be and see what develops. Stay tuned.

~ Anne Silverman