Next year in Jerusalem?

By Robert Wax President

I have fond childhood memories of Passover in the Lehigh Valley. The stark contrast between the party atmosphere of Purim and the seriousness of Passover was always palpable. A few weeks after the carnival at the Jewish Community Center concluded, we were handed a feather and a candle at the Jewish Day School so we could search for any chametz (leaven or leavened food) that remained in our home. I recall feeling a tremendous sense of duty when equipped with these tools.

Of course, the most fundamental part of the holiday was — and continues to be — telling the Passover story at the seder. As a child, our family seders felt long and detailed. My father would read portions of the Haggadah with tremendous importance, and he would carefully explain the elements of the seder plate. There were plenty of fun moments, too, including the search for the afikomen (and the intense negotiations my father would hold to purchase this piece of matzah from the lucky child who discovered it so we could finally begin dessert), singing “Who Knows One?” and “Dayenu,” and finishing the night with macaroons and other sweets.

I would repeat “L’Shana Haba’ah B’Yerushalayim” at the end of the seder, but I would never really consider spending Passover the next year in Jerusalem or anyplace else. Why would I want to leave Allentown? As a child growing up here in the 1970s and 1980s, I cherished our vibrant and safe Jewish community. The Morning Call openly covered our community events, including the time the local running legend Dr. Karl Glassman carried a Chanukah torch from Israel to greet cheering Sunday school kids at Keneseth Israel. I felt great pride wearing my JCC uniform while playing sports against teams from across the Lehigh Valley. When it came time to talk about Passover in Jerusalem next year, I was completely content in our cozy community.

Despite my sense of safety, I vividly remember Jeanette Eichenwald, our community’s legendary educator, questioning our Hebrew high school class on whether our security in the United States would continue in perpetuity. She highlighted other communities where Jews once felt comfortable but now lacked a Jewish community. Her point was clear: we needed to appreciate the religious freedoms we were experiencing in this country and recognize the importance of having a strong Jewish homeland to ensure the same.

I suspect our Passover seder of 2023 will include some troubling topics. Yes, we will repeat the Passover story, and we will work our way through the Haggadah. However, there will surely be discussions about the National Day of Hate, which thankfully passed without incident. Someone will ask about the white supremacists who caused a ruckus at Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem this past December. We will acknowledge the unfortunate need for security during events at our local Jewish institutions. We will likely recognize the extremes of both political parties and the dangers they create for Jews in America. My mother will express her frustrations about members of our media who attack Israel unfairly time and time again. Like the Jews of Egypt, whom we will read about, it may seem as though we are living as strangers in a strange land.

So, is it time to pack up and move to Jerusalem? Absolutely not. Despite these issues, our community is still an amazing place to live and raise a Jewish family. Did you see WFMZ’s exciting coverage of our community Purim carnival? How about the pictures on Facebook of the standing-roomonly Purim event hosted by Chabad of the Lehigh Valley? Have you visited the JCC or the JDS recently to see the amazing improvements at both buildings? When the untoward event occurred at Christkindlmarkt, did you notice how quickly the leaders at ArtsQuest — and all our local officials — stood to support us?

It remains a wonderful time to be a proud Jew in the Lehigh Valley. We have tremendous institutions, engaged leaders and incredible events. In fact, I urge you to join me at the Modi

Live in the Lehigh Valley comedy night on May 4, or to attend the Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy Chai Club Dinner on May 16 for donors who contribute at least $180. If you visit our community calendar on the Federation website, you will see community talks, mitzvah projects, mahjong games, adult learning opportunities, hikes, picnics and so much more.

So, as a community, let’s get back out there, let’s eat and talk and laugh together, and let’s continue to cherish this amazing Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley. You better move quickly or I’ll beat you to the afikomen! Frankly, I am so excited about our community that I think it’s time for another torch run. Dr. Glassman, do you accept my challenge?