Throughout our Jewish history, Passover was traditionally celebrated, with family and community Seders. This year, we find ourselves in a new predicament. We are fighting an enemy that cannot even be seen. Our world has been brought to a halt with COVID-19. The coronavirus has shut down all schools, houses...
Virus Diary: ‘The Most Passover of Passovers I’ve Ever Had’
NEW YORK — Every year, it’s the same. I return to my childhood home in Phoenix for Passover, my favorite holiday, with my parents, sisters and our family friends, the Zvidas. For a quarter century, the Arbel-Zvida Seder has been my constant. This year is different. We are all isolated,...
Jewish Community Will 'Stand Tall' After Synagogue Shooting
POWAY — Eight-year-old Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Southern California synagogue when gunshots rang out. Her uncle grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside to safety as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound. "I was scared, really, really...
Shooting at San Diego Area Synagogue Kills 1, Wounds 3
POWAY — A 19-year-old man armed with a rifle opened fire inside a synagogue near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of Passover, killing a woman and wounding three people Saturday, authorities said. The man, whose name was not released, fled in a car and called 911 shortly...
Passover, a Festival of Freedom Amid COVID-19: Rabbi Winer
We complete our Passover Seder each year with the phrase, “This year we are slaves. Next year may we be free. This year here. Next year in Jerusalem.” The concept of going forth from captivity pervades our atmosphere this year much more viscerally for many of us than under normal...