I’ve just returned from an incredible walk in Audubon Park, where I enjoyed the crystal-clear blue sky, the warm temperatures, and the beautiful spring flowers beginning to bloom. It was truly lovely.
But spring—especially March—is also known for its unpredictability. In a few days, we might once again need our sweaters, at least in the morning. The beautiful flowers bring us joy, but they also come with the allergies that accompany those clouds of yellow pollen. We enjoy extended daylight in the evenings, yet mornings remain dark until around 6:30 or 7:00 AM. With all that change in the air, many of us take this time for a bit of spring cleaning: clearing out the old and the drab and looking ahead to something fresh and new.
In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate Pesach. This eight-day Jewish holiday, observed in the spring, commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Before Passover begins, we are commanded to rid our homes of chametz, or leavened grain. This is a full spring cleaning, Jewish-style.
But Passover is also a holiday of renewal. The first two nights of Passover are marked by the seder, a 15-step, family-centered tradition that includes eating matzah and bitter herbs, drinking wine, and reciting the Exodus story through the haggadah, among other traditions. On the seder plate, the roasted egg symbolizes mourning for the destruction of the Temple, while also representing the cycle of life and hope for the future.
The story of Passover is one of freedom and remembrance, a foundational narrative in Judaism that emphasizes the transition from oppression to liberation. It is, at its core, a story of hope and renewal.
As we are all aware, Israel and the United States are facing ongoing conflict with Iran. For the past 47 years, the modern Islamic Republic of Iran has been under theocratic rule and has served as a state sponsor of terrorism around the world. It was the force behind terror attacks against Israel, including October 7th, and has targeted both Americans and Jews. The regime would like nothing more than to eliminate both Israel and the U.S.
While we do not know the outcome of the current conflict, we can hope that this moment represents another period of transition—and, ultimately, renewal.
May we emerge from this time with a peace that reshapes the world order for the better. May we remain strong and steadfast in our support of both our countries and their citizens through this trying time. And may we, like the season itself, emerge renewed in hope in the spring of 2026.
Happy Spring and Happy Pesach!