CANTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Congregational Family,

Mark Twain once said “ When I was young, I had such a good memory that I remembered things that never happened!”

Pesach is like that because it is one of the greatest times when we as a people exercise our collective memory. It is a time when we fulfill the first commandment given collectively to the people of Israel (Exodus 12) which is to commemorate the Exodus forever. We don’t merely remember it as some discreet event but rather in a way that each of us is to regard ourselves as if we had gone out of Egypt. That my friends is a strong memory. Yet what we are asked really asked to do is remember something that for us, as modern individuals never really happened. This year our celebration is somewhat tapered to reflect the suffering of our fellow Jews and all citizens of Ukraine who are being forced into slavery by a dictator … a modern-day Pharoah and we are very mindful of the tenuous position of the world as a result.

But reflecting back to memory, like Mark Twain, we must have a pretty good Memory to do this. Actually, as a people we do have a good memory because as Jews, we are commanded to remember and that has allowed us to survive.

Memory has remarkable power. The power to teach, the power to join an individual to another or to a people, the power to combat oppression and persecution and the power to combat despair and loneliness. In fact, it is a sacred trust and an obligation.

However, memory is also selective. We simply cannot accommodate all the details so we only retain the highlights. When we read the Haggadah, we actually learn very little of the details of the departure from Egypt. We were slaves. G-d redeemed us from slavery with a display of might. No Moses, no Red Sea, No Sinai, no battles or rebellions. If you want the details, read the book of Shemot.

A great teacher and Rabbi from the 20th century, Leo Baeck said “ we should consider what we put in our storehouse of memory – Let it not be hatred and bitterness, but let us fill our minds with love, beauty , reverence and hope” G-d’s first command to the people of Israel was to celebrate Pesach as an eternal remembrance of the Exodus. But by commanding Israel to recall the Exodus the next year and every year after, G-d gave the Israelites hope – hope for us that this year, the pandemic will be over and that our lives will be completely restored to what we enjoyed so much (and probably took for granted ) pre March 2020.

I am certainly that this past 2 years will always be remembered as well but in the meantime, enjoy your Pesach Sedarim, be safe and well.

Sharon joins me in wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Chag Kasher veSameach.

Cantor David Edwards