From the Desk of Moshe Kruger
Dear Friends,
Mah Nishtana ha’Lilah Hazeh?
How is this night different from all other nights?
I am sure that this simple question took on new meanings at many of our family Seders in Michana this year.
Permit me to share with you one of my favorite rituals in the Seder ─
“Yachatz,”
literally, “breaking up.” During
Yachatz,
we break the middle matzah in two. The tradition in many families, like mine, was to wrap the larger half in a cloth and hide it as the afikomen for the children to find at the end of the meal to complete the Seder. One interpretation for breaking the matzah is the symbolism of our heart's incompleteness. This poignant heart metaphor empowers us to speak to the difficult truths of the larger social injustices of what is broken in the world as well as the heartache and disconnect we are all experiencing at some level during these difficult days of the corona pandemic.
My siblings and I would plan our “theft” with finesse and care. Finding and redeeming the afikomen was always a breakthrough moment, enabling us to conclude the Seder with praise, song, and well wishes. That which was broken is made whole again, but only when the whole family does its part.
This year, we need everyone’s help to find the afikoman. In the current Covid-19 crisis, it's imperative that we stay connected as one compassionate family. Jewish Family Services is the lifeblood for all who need our help. We’re stepping up our efforts to provide zero interest loans, direct financial assistance, and referrals ─ all of which stretches our regular resources.
I want to thank all of you who have already donated to our Passover Appeal. If you haven’t done so, please consider that your gift will enable Jewish Family Services to provide the love and care that will sustain us, our extended Michiana Jewish family, until more normal times return. We have to be in this fight together.
