“Ahead of us is Pesach, the holiday of freedom—the second holiday of freedom while our people are not free.

How can we celebrate with joy and meaning when our hearts are still buried in Gaza?

How can we enjoy the delicious holiday foods when we know our brothers are starving for a piece of bread down there?

How can we feel at peace with our family around us, knowing that 59 families have a huge hole in their hearts?

How can we ever live free without knowing we did everything possible to save them? That we let the greed for power turn those lives into a political debate, rather than living the core Jewish value of Pidyon Shvuyim?

 

And what is freedom?

Freedom is the ability to walk tall, knowing that you are living according to the principles and values you and your parents set for yourselves.

Freedom is choosing your own path—using your own reason and conscience—instead of being told what to think, who to love, or who to hate based on your identity or environment.

Freedom is the ability to tell the world, without fear, who you are, what you stand for, and where you come from.

 

Are we really free in those senses?

No matter where in the world you are right now, I don’t think any of us can wholeheartedly say yes to all of these.

 

So for this Passover, the only thing I can wish for all of us is that our 59 brothers and sisters will finally be free, and that we, as a people, can begin the healing process that will allow us to fight for all the freedoms we seek.

 

Best regards/ Med venlig hilsen,

Julia Vol”