Passover is not just a story we tell—It’s a stand we take.
Around one table, we gather as one people, called by one purpose:
To remember. To awaken. To rise.
Because our fight for freedom is not ancient history—it’s now.
Each year, we choose a theme to guide our reading of the Haggadah—
a lens through which we extract timeless truths and discover direction for the present.
This year’s theme: The ONE Journey of Personal Responsibility Amidst Adversity.
A journey that mirrors the ancient Exodus from Egypt—
when power distorted truth, identity was erased, and liberation came only through courage and collective will.
“In every generation, they rise against us to destroy us—but the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves us from their hands.” — Vehi She’amda
This is not just a verse—it is our lived reality.
And the Haggadah is not just a retelling—it is a response.
Passed down through generations, it is a blueprint for navigating today’s chaos with timeless clarity.
A sacred structure of reflection and responsibility, it speaks directly to the soul:
- Four Questions that spark awareness,
- Four Characters that reflect who we are in this moment,
- Four Promises that chart the path from bondage to liberation,
- And “Who Knows One?”—a closing declaration of one mission, one memory, one meaning.
These are not just rituals— They are clues. A compass. A call to rise.
A call to awaken—not only in unity with those who stand beside us,
but with unshakable resolve in the face of those who challenge us.
So we may gain clarity, stand boldly with our allies, lead with conviction,
and rise—stronger, louder, and more united than ever.
The Four Children — Who Are You in This Moment?
These children live among us—at our Seder tables, in our communities, on our campuses, and within ourselves.
They reflect how we respond to crisis, identity, and responsibility.
The Wise One asks:
“What are the testimonies, statutes, and laws God commanded you?”
They seek understanding—meaning, structure, and moral clarity—paving their path toward purposeful leadership and collective responsibility.
The Wicked One asks:
“What does this service mean to you?”
Not “to us”—but “to you.”
They say: “We’re fine. My child is fine—what’s all the noise about? Why should I get involved?” Or: “This isn’t my fight.”
Those who distance themselves and abdicate responsibility reveal complicity—masked as self-preservation.
The Simple One asks:
“What is this?”
Sincere, yet overwhelmed by hashtags, headlines, and hollow narratives.
They sense something is wrong but don’t know where to begin.
They seek truth—and need someone willing to help fill in the gaps.
The One Who Does Not Know How to Ask
“You shall open for them.”
They are silent—perhaps from pain, fear, or isolation.
It is our duty to reach out, open the conversation, and remind them:
You matter.
Identifying who you are is the first step.
Because self-awareness isn’t the end—it’s the beginning.
It opens the path from reflection to responsibility,
from questioning to purpose, from memory to mission.
The Four Cups — A Roadmap for Modern Liberation
Identifying who you are—Wise, Wicked, Simple, or Silent—is just the beginning.
The Four Cups are not merely ceremonial—they are invitations.
Each one calls us to rise from reflection to personal responsibility,
to transform awareness into a personal promise—a commitment to act.
- “I will bring you out” – From fear, denial, and silence. This is awakening.
- “I will deliver you” – From falsehoods and mental chains. This is clarity.
- “I will redeem you” – Through courage and purpose. This is action.
- “I will take you” – Into community and nationhood. This is belonging.
These four commitments form a roadmap—
guiding us from where we are to where we are called to be.
Each sip of wine moves us forward—
from memory to mission, from story to step.
Because just as Israel’s founders turned exile into sovereignty,
we, too, must become agents of our own liberation—together.
“Who Knows One?” – A Song of Unity, Memory, and Meaning
“Who Knows One?” (Echad Mi Yodea) is a cumulative song near the end of the Passover Seder that layers numbers with sacred Jewish concepts—
uniting us in a shared story and collective commitment.
It begins with “One is our God…” and builds up to thirteen, with each number symbolizing a core truth of Jewish tradition.
These numbers are more than counting—they are reminders of who we are, what we value, and how we’re connected across time.
Each verse is a thread in the spiritual fabric of our people, weaving identity, memory, and meaning into a song that spans generations.
In times of confusion or crisis, Echad Mi Yodea grounds us in what we know:
One is our God. One is our foundation. And from there—everything else flows.
Call to Action — One Table. One People. One Fight for Freedom.
This Passover, ask yourself:
- Which of the Four Children am I?
- Which Cup must I drink from?
- What is my role in this generation’s Exodus?
You don’t need all the answers. But you must make a choice:
- Learn and teach the truth about Zionism and Jewish history.
- Support those who defend Jewish identity and freedom.
- Speak up when truth is silenced.
- Confront lies—even when they come from within.
- Make space at your Seder for uncomfortable, necessary conversations.
Herzl’s words remind us:
“We are a people—one people.” — Theodor Herzl, The Jewish State
No matter the time, the threat, or the distance—we are bound together.
By faith. By history. By purpose.
And today, as the Jewish people stand against hatred and for freedom,
we are not alone.
We are joined by proud allies—Americans who stand with us,
who see in our struggle a shared fight for truth, dignity, and human rights.
Because to be one people is not just a matter of identity—
it is a matter of commitment:
To one another.
To our future.
To the enduring belief that—together, we rise.
To anyone who raised their voice in support, I say: Dayenu.
It would have been enough—and yet, you chose to do more.
Thank you.
I am deeply grateful for those who ask questions, who stand with us,
and who share stories towards meaningful accountability.
Together, we carry the story forward—
with courage, with purpose, and with hope.
Chag Sameach. L’chaim—to freedom, to unity, to one people.
May we all rise together, as one.
