I just finished reading through a great article about a second year tradition that sprang to life during the Obama campaign. At that time, while on the road constantly, three campaign employees sat down together on Erev Pesach to have a Seder. To their surprise, Obama walked into the room and asked if he could join in.
Two years later, those three Jewish campaign workers have become three Jewish White House staffers. Senator Obama, as you all know, became President Obama, and his Seder lives on.
When Passover begins at sunset on Monday evening, Mr. Obama and about 20 others will gather for [the ritual].
In the Old Family Dining Room, under sparkling chandeliers and portraits of former first ladies, the mostly Jewish and African-American guests will recite prayers and retell the biblical story of slavery and liberation, ending with the traditional declaration “Next year in Jerusalem.”
Isn’t it ironic that a small addition to an existing Jewish neighborhood in that very city led up to current tension between Barack Obama’s government and Israel? Maybe tonight will be God’s opportunity to enlighten the President. Sitting around the dining room table with Jewish staff and their families while his own children ask the traditional four questions, he will see the three thousand year battle for what it is, the Jewish people seeking freedom.
May you all have a Pesach Kasher v’Sameach (A Kosher and Happy Passover). May we have another year of [relative] peace and freedom in Israel.
L’Shana HaBa’ah b’Yerushalaim!
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