One of the best parts of my job is interviewing students after their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, which is then written up and put on our Facebook feed and added right here, to Kesher.

The students come to my office for a chat and I talk with them about what they enjoyed most about their special day, what hobbies and interests they have, an achievement they are most proud of and what their aspirations are for the future. I also often ask them what their favourite Chag is and most of them answer 鈥楶esach鈥�. This seems almost counterintuitive, with Pesach being the Chag that requires the most preparation and where the meal ends with an eggy, stodgy try-hard wannabe cake. When I press them as to why they enjoy Pesach so much, they often can鈥檛 articulate what it is, but they just know it is especially special for them.

But I think that when they are older and have the insight and vocabulary to better express their feelings and thoughts, this is what they might say about why they love Pesach:

鈥淚 love Pesach because it celebrates both the particular and the universal.鈥�

Individually, Pesach is family time like no other, where the scripted rituals bring forth unscripted, authentic, inter-generational conversation; when we discuss the same texts as we did last year but do so with added insight and wisdom. Unlike any other event I鈥檝e known, Pesach manages to cater for all ages, from toddlers who engage with jumping frogs and hidden afikomen treasures, to grandparents whose life experience is read into the Hagaddah, making timeless words and ancient history come alive.

Pesach celebrates the story of my people, of how we became a nation. I know that this is the story of my grandparents, and hopefully will be the story of my grandchildren too. When I sit at the Seder, I know that I am doing what generations before me have done. The conversations about the four sons and rabbis in Bnei Brak are the same conversations that have been had for thousands of years and all over the world, and yet these stories are mine. These stories are ours. I love that I am part of this story, that I know how to participate and contribute to this story, and I know how important it is that I pass this story on to my children.

At the same time, what we celebrate on Pesach is not just about me, my family and my people. Pesach celebrates what is important to all of humanity. Pesach is freedom and freedom is sacred. For freedom to be won and endure it needs to be learned and lived. As I celebrate a freedom gifted to my people 3000 years ago, this awakens in me the need to ensure freedom for everyone. The global community still has much work to do and I recognise and embrace the responsibility that reaches beyond my table.

I love Pesach and all that it represents and because it awakens in me my appreciation for all that I have and all that I am鈥�.

May your Seder be meaningful, fun and memorable.

Wishing you a safe and relaxing holiday and see you next Term!

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,

Shula