Dear Readers,

The complexity and depth of the story epitomizes what it means to be Jewish.

In the following pages, I am pleased to present a selection of Passover-related JTA articles from the last 90 years. From items of historic proportion to smaller personal narratives, these stories of challenges and triumphs, fear and transcendence exemplify the spirit of the holiday.

You can read about the first telephone call between the United States and Palestine, the horrors that didn’t pause for Passover during World War II, the first seders in Jerusalem in the new State of Israel, alternative , and celebrations in far-flung corners of the world.

This collection is a preview of what will be available for free when the JTA Jewish News Archive is launched later this spring. With more than a quarter million articles dating back to 1923, the Archive will provide everyone -- from the historian to the student to the casual user -- with access to contemporaneous, first-hand reporting from around the world during a momentous century in Jewish history.

The Passover-related articles included here have provided me with a fresh and inspirational perspective on this pivotal season. I hope you find inspiration in them, as well.

Passover is a story everyone can learn from, so please share this collection with others.

Happy Passover,

illustration: Uri Fintzy Ami Eden Editor in Chief, JTA

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 MARCH 27, 1924 “Falasha Sabbath” During Passover Week to Aid Colored Jews NEW YORK (JTA) - The annual appeal of the American Pro- Falasha Committee, in behalf of the Falasha Jews in Abyssinia, has been announced by Rabbi J. Max Weis, Secretary of the Com- mittee and Director of the appeal. Rabbis throughout the country have been asked to devote their message at one service, during the week of Passover, to the Falasha cause, the first Sabbath in the Passover week, April 19th being des- ignated “FALASHA SABBATH.” The appeal is for $30,000. The officers of the American Pro-Falasha Committee include: Dr. Elias Margolis of Mt. Vernon, New York, Chairman; Dr. Elias L. Solomon of New York City, President of the United Synagogue of America, Treasurer; Rabbi J. Max Weis, of New York City, Chair- man of the Falsha Committee of the Central Conference of Ameri- can Rabbis, Secretary. A synagogue in Gondar. (Photo by Sam Effron)

APRIL 24, 1929 Soviet Co-Operatives Offer Kosher Passover Products For Sale Abroad Sealed and testified as Kosher by Russian Rabbis

WARSAW (JTA) - An odd light on The representative of the Gostorg, the the anti-religious campaign now being Soviet commercial agency here, has of- conducted by the Jewish section of the fered for sale goose fat especially prepared Communist party in Soviet Russia in for the Passover in accordance with the connection with the Passover festival strict rules of the Orthodox code. The jars was thrown by the commercial offer of fat, prepared by the Soviet cooperatives made by the Soviet cooperative repre- of Charkoff, Kiev and Berditcheff, bear sentatives here to Jewish merchants and the labels “Kosher L’Pessach” (approved consumers’ cooperatives of Warsaw. for Passover). Kosher goose fat especially prepared The seal of Rabbi Levi Halevi Grossman,

for Passover, is greatly in demand in City of Kiev, is attached to each jar. Certifi- this city on the eve of the festival, for cates of supervising rabbis attesting to the (illustration by Uri Fintzy) use by Jewish families to be eaten with kosher preparation of the fats are also fur- description of the names of the Talmu- the matzoth and for preparation of the nished. To make assurance doubly sure, dic treatises - composed by the super- special dishes during the holiday. the certificates of approval contain a full vising rabbis.

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 APRIL 13, 1933 First Palestine-New York Conversation Brings Zionist Message to the Jews of America Landau, Weizmann say hello over 5,000 miles on the eve of Passover

NEW YORK (JTA) - The first telephone con- Give to the Jews in the United States my greet- the future. The world-enlightened public opinion versation between the United States and Palestine ings and those of Palestine Jewry. will not permit medieval anti-Semitism to uproot took place Monday when Dr. Chaim Weizmann, Palestine today is the only bright spot in the and destroy men and women for no other crime former President of the Zionist World Organiza- Jewish world, permeated by an atmosphere of than that of belonging to the Jewish faith and race. tion and the Jewish Agency, who is visiting his healthy growth and steady progress. “To the Jews of the United States I say in this This feeling, however, is dimmed by the grave moment, at no time in Jewish history was mother in Haifa for the Passover holidays, spoke tragic occurrences in Germany, where the Jews, there such need for a united front and for a great to Jacob Landau, Managing Director of the Jew- after having lived for 1,600 years on German soil and concentrated effort for the upbuilding of the ish Telegraphic Agency. and made a great contribution to every walk of Jewish homeland in Palestine as in this trying hour The voice of Dr. Weizmann was clearly heard life, enriching German literature and science to no which threatens the very existence of the Jew in the over the line. “I feel privileged,” Dr. Weizmann mean degree, are deprived of their rights as citi- very heart of Europe. declared, “to be permitted to be the first to thus zens and turned into Pariahs. “My message to the “Dr. Weizmann informed Mr. Landau that he bridge this distance of about 5,000 miles between Jews of America is ‘Hope and Courage,’ Speak- intends to come to the United States on July 1st Palestine and New York. By a happy coincidence ing from Palestine,from where the Jew made and asked him to give his best wishes to Felix M. this happens to be the eve of Pesach, when the his great contribution to the moral development Warburg, prominently identified with the Jewish Jews in Palestine and throughout the world are of the world by giving it , whence the Agency for Palestine, Morris Rothenberg, Presi- celebrating the festival of the liberation of the conception of justice as the greatest human ide- dent of the Zionist Organization of America and al preached by our Prophets has gone out to the Louis Lipsky, President of the American Palestine Jews from the yoke of Egypt. world, I urge them not to despair for Campaign.

APRIL 14, 1932 JANUARY 21, 1938 King George at Seder in Jerusalem: Shanghai Jews Get Relief A Memory of Fifty Years Ago From London Mayors’ LONDON (JTA) - The Jewish Chronicle I treated them ac- in its forthcoming issue this week recalls in its cording to their high Fund; Seek Mazoth “Fifty Years Ago” column, a new feature in- rank. They evinced SHANGHAI (JTA) - Leaders stituted recently, the visit to Jerusalem during great pleasure in the Passover fifty years ago of the present King, of the Jewish community today ceremony, and in the when he was Prince George, and his atten- renewed an appeal to American chanting of a hymn, dance with his brother, the late Prince Albert Jewish groups to provide matzoth Victor, at Seder in the home of the Rev. Ra- which had been spe- for the Passover festival, declar- phael Meyer Panigel of Jerusalem. cially composed in ing that with the destruction of The Rev. Panigel sent a telegram to Sir Mo- honour of their pres- the matzoth factory here the Jews ses Montefiore, which is reprinted in the Jew- ence by the Habam. King George III (Courtesy of Marion Doss) faced their first Passover with- out the ritual unleavened bread. ish Chronicle, in which he wrote: “Their Royal I then pronounced the benediction on Her Majesty (illustration by Uri Fintzy) Highnesses Albert the Queen (Queen Victoria), the Prince and Princess The London Lord Mayor’s Victor and George and their suitee done me of Wales (the late King Edward and Queen Alexan- Shanghai relief committee has the honour to be present in my house during der), and on our royal guests the Princes. The latter given 2,000 Shanghai dollars for the Passover service on the Seder night. expressed themselves highly gratified.” Jewish relief.

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 archive.jta.org | Free May 3 APRIL 23, 1943 NAZIS START MASS-EXECUTION OF WARSAW JEWS ON PASSOVER Victims broadcast S.O.S. STOCKHOLM (JTA) - A massacre of the cut off. last 35,000 Jews in the Warsaw ghetto was (The American Representation of started by the Nazis on Passover with the the Zionist Laborite Party in occupied streets of Warsaw echoing to the shots of Poland today reported that it has received the Nazi murderers and the shrieks of the underground information stating that po- victims, while able-bodied Jews were try- groms have been going on not only in ing to defend themselves within the walls of the ghetto. the Warsaw ghetto, but also in a number The secret Polish radio station SWIAT was of cities in Galicia. A message from the heard here shortly after six o’clock last night Jews in the Warsaw ghetto indicated that transmitting the following frantic appeal not more than 40,000 Jews were left there from occupied Poland: “Death sentence has and that they expect mass-executions. been proclaimed on the last 35,000 Jews in It appealed to the world for immediate the Warsaw ghetto. Gun salvoes are echo- aid “before it is too late.” ing in the streets of Warsaw. Women and The appeal states that two Zionist La- children are defending themselves with borite leaders in Galicia, Dr. Max Scheff bare hands. Save us…” and Moshe Richter, “disappeared” during Jews in Warsaw (unknown) At this point the broadcast was suddenly Nazi pogroms in Galicia.”

APRIL 6, 1945 Jewish Soldiers Hold Passover Services in Nazi Meeting Hall on Adolph Hitler Street JTA with an infantry division in Germany GERMANY (JTA) - Passover onghold of the tyrant, to give services for hundreds of Jewish sol- the lie to his rantings about the diers of an Infantry Division were Herrenvolk. held in a Nazi party meeting hall, No. You have shown by your 29 Adolph Hitler Strasso, in Dahn, deeds what the American sol- Germany. dier can do when he fights for Pressing deep into Germany, the a cause in which he believes. soldiers halted only for the traditional We dedicate ourselves to con- religious ceremonies. tinue this fight until we have “I am sure this Passover will live smashed this enemy-smashed in your memories forever,” the divi- him so that he shall never be sion commander told the men, “You able again to rise against us.” celebrate it in Germany, in the land in The services were conducted which Hitler said no Passover would by the division’s Jewish chap- be celebrated for at least a thousand lain, Eli A. Bohnon, of Temple years. Fighting side by side with your Emmanuel, Buffalo, New York. Protestant and Catholic this str- Jewish U.S. Soldiers Celebrating Passover (Center for Jewish History)

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 APRIL 13, 1949 Israelis Prepare to Celebrate First Passover Since Proclamation of Jewish State TEL AVIV (JTA) - As residents of the country all Israel prepares for the and official functions have first celebration of Passover been arranged for the Israeli since the proclamation of armed forces. the Jewish state more than All members of the forces a thousand guests from will receive special gift par- abroad have already reached cels from the Soldiers’ Wel- this land. fare Committee. With the country suffering In Tel Aviv and other cit- from an acute shortage of ies, the food situation will accommodations, many of be somewhat easier for them will be guests in pri- Passover since special food vate homes for the Seder. allotments have been au- Hundreds will attend thorized to supplement the Seders at the settlements strict food rations. throughout the country, all Several thousand men, of which have arranged to women and children will receive guests for the occa- participate in a special pil- sion. grimage to Jerusalem or- Public Seders have been ganized by the Ministry of arranged to accommodate Religion. Children celebrating first Passover in Israel (Jewish Agency)

APRIL 13, 1949 APRIL 23, 1951 220 Shanghai Jews Sail for Passover Observed on Korean Battlefront Israel from Venice Last to Christian clergymen join in Seder ceremony Leave Italy Before Passover TOKYO (JTA) - Jewish men and Passover services were also held for women in the American armed forces Jewish servicemen in the U.S. armed VENICE (JTA) - A total of 220 Jewish fighting in Korea took part in Passover forces stationed in Japan. services in Pusan, Seoul and Taegu, The four Jewish chaplains who offici- refugees from Shanghai today sailed for Is- while Protestant and Catholic soldiers ated in Korea are Milton Rosen, Garson rael aboard the transport Campo D’Oglio, joined the Jews in Passover celebra- Goodman, George Vida and Oscar M. following their temporary stay at the Barletta tions in field hospitals and wherever the Lifshutz. A Catholic priest and a Prot- DP camp. calebrations could be held under battle estant chaplain participated in the Seder The steamer was the last to depart before conditions. conducted by Chaplain Lifshutz at one of Passover. The Passover services were conducted the field hospitals. Lt. Gen. James A, Van in various sections of the Korean battle- Fleet, commander of the Eighth Army, (A Haifa dispatch reported the arrival in Is- front by four Jewish chaplains with sup- issued a Passover message of greetings rael today of 1,100 Jewish immigrants from plies furnished by the National Jewish to all the Jews serving under him in the Italy. They came aboard the S.S. Galilah.) Welfare Board. United Nations forces.

Jewish U.S. Soldiers Celebrating Passover (Center for Jewish History)

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 archive.jta.org | Free May 3 APRIL 17, 1968 Cuban Jews Receive Passover Supplies Sent Them by Canadian Jewish Congress MONTREAL (JTA) - The Canadian Jewish Congress said today it had re- ceived confirmation from Havana of the receipt by the Cuban Jewish com- munity of Passover shipments including 6,000 pounds of and 3,000 pounds of matzoh meal. The Passover supplies, the Congress said, were received in Havana in good time for distribution to Cuban Jewish families. The Congress has been sending Passover supplies to Cuba since 1961. The community sells the holiday fare to those families which can afford to

buy it and distributes it free to the needy. Adath Israel Synagogue in Havana, Cuba (Male Gringo) APRIL 20, 1970 TRADITIONAL, UPDATED AND RADICAL HAGGADAHS STILL ASK ‘WHY IS THIS NIGHT DIFFERENT? NEW YORK (JTA) - Many different Hag- home he will read the traditional with Union, remind usof the indestructible links that gadahs, ranging from the traditional to the supplementary material His seder guests will exist between us. As we observe this festival “up-dated” to extreme “radicalized” versions sing in Hebrew, “We Shall Overcome,” the an- of freedom, we know that Soviet Jews are not prepared by Jewish adherents of the New Left, them of the American civil rights movement, in free… will be read at seders all over America when tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King. As their voices rise in Jewish affirmation and Passover begins at sundown tomorrow. Meyer Levin, the author, has written his own protest, we add our voices to theirs, and we The Haggadah relates the story of how Mo- Haggadah illustrated with photographs of mod- shall be joined by all those whose consciences ses led the out of Egypt to the Prom- ern Israel, called “Israel Haggadah.” He said it are aroused by the wrongs inflicted on Soviet ised Land, as recorded in Exodus, the second complies with tradition but restores to the Pass- Jews.” of the five books of . over seder “something of the spontaneity, of In Los Angeles, the Southern California Coun- The traditional version that has been fol- connection to current life, and hence to univer- cil for Soviet Jews invited local Jewish families lowed by most observing Jews over the years sal freedom efforts.” to take a non-Jewish friend to an updated “Third is one that had been used in the ghettos and A “Jewish Liberation Haggadah” has been Seder” to be conducted next Thursday at Temple “shtetls” (villages) of Eastern Europe for published by the “Jewish Liberation Project”, Israel. Its theme will be, “Let My People Go”, countless generations. an organization of Zionist Socialists, which the ancient cry of Moses to Pharaoh, now direct- Some Jewish religious leaders and laymen borrows extensively from the works of Zionist ed to the leaders of the Kremlin. have been reading updated Haggadahs in re- writers, modern Hebrew and Yiddish songs and The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of cent years that retain most of the traditional poems. The JLP is strongly Zionist but is criti- New York has estimated that 50,000 persons text but include supplements and special cal of the policies of the present Israeli Govern- of all ages will attend seders at Federation sup- prayers relating to the establishment of the ment. ported homes for the aged, hospitals and child modern State of Israel, the plight of Soviet Federation Of Jewish Philanthropies to Stage care facilities and centers. Bedside seders will Jewry and the struggle for racial equality at Seders For 50, 000 in its Centers. The powerful be conducted for disabled persons and patients home. symbolism of the Haggadah as a liberation tract in need of special care, according to George H. According to Rabbi Marc H. Tanen- has been recognized by Jews concerned with the Heyman, Jr., president of the Federation. New baum, director of the inter-religious affairs struggle of Soviet Jewry for their basic rights York’s Congregation Emanu-El, the world’s department of the American Jewish Commit- including the right to emigrate to Israel. largest Reform congregation, held pre-Passover tee, Passover “has become a universal parable The American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry model seders at its religious school today. whose symbolism has meaning for all people has urged every Jewish household to read a Passover services are scheduled to begin in who strive toward freedom.” statement at the seder beginning with the words, the main sanctuary at 5:30 p.m., Monday, to be Rabbi Wolff Kelman, an official of the Rab- “This is the Matzoh of Hope.” The statement broadcast over WQXR radio. binical Assembly, the rabbinical arm of Con- continues, “This matzoh, which we set aside as A congregational seder will follow the servative Judaism, said that in his own a the three and a half million Jews of the Soviet services.

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 APRIL 6, 1971 RABBI URGES JEWS TO USE UNION LETTUCE FOR USED AT THE NEW YORK (JTA) - Rabbi Haskel use union lettuce, which can be iden- Lookstein of Congregation Kehilath tified by the Aztec Eagle on its wrap- Jeshurun is urging that American Jews ping, for the karpas used at the seder. use lettuce picked by members of the Karpas is a spring vegetable which is United Farm Workers’ Union at the dipped in salt water and eaten to com- Pass-over seder. memorate the spring harvest. In the latest issue of the temple’s bul- Using the lettuce as an act of solidar- letin, Rabbi Lookstein called attention ity with the farm workers is an “op- to the struggle of the union, under the portunity to join the great Passover leadership of Cesar Chavez, to obtain experience to the struggle of one of decent working conditions for the mi- the poorest segments of our popula- grant farm workers in California’s let- tion; a segment that desperately needs tuce industry. redemption from slavery to freedom,” Attempts by workers to improve their he said. living conditions and to organize them- The rabbi commended Chavez as selves are being resisted by the lettuce a man who has “always been a great growers, he observed. friend of the Jewish people and the Rabbi Lookstein suggested that Jew- State of Israel.” ish families APRIL 3, 1980 A Seder in Cairo; Egyptian Envoy

Partakes in a Seder in Tel Aviv “Sha’ar Shamayim” Synagogue in Cairo (David Lisbona) TEL AVIV (JTA) - Israelis celebrated their first Passover since the Mortoda commented, “I represent Egypt not the Pharaoh.” normalization of relations with Egypt, some of them in the land from At one point, the the Egyptian envoy quipped, “If you were so happy which Moses liberated their ancestors from slavery. More than 100 to leave Egypt, why are there such long lines of Israelis asking for entry Egyptian Jews joined 50 Israelis at a seder in Cairo conducted by Israeli visas to Egypt?” Ambassador Eliahu Ben-Elissar. Ironically, the ceremony was held at The army had its main seder at Camp Kfir in the central region with the Pharaoh Hotel. Defense Minister Ezer Weizman and Chief of Staff Rafael Eytan at- In Israel, Egyptian Ambassador Saod Mortoda was a guest at a seder tending. The soldiers who stole the were promised a swim- in the home of Labor Party Chairman Shimon Peres. Mortoda, who ming pool and a trip to Eilat. brought with him a Haggadah with a French translation, frequently The first day of Passover was a hot day and many people headed for asked questions during the readings. the beaches and picnic areas. Some went to Mt. Hermon where they When the section on the plagues inflictedon Egypt was read, took what was probably their last chance to ski until next winter.

MARCH 3, 1983 FALASHAS TO GET FROM ISRAEL JERUSALEM (JTA) - With Passover just a week away, A group of Israelis who visited some Falasha communities Mordechai Ben-Porat announced today that the Falasha Jews earlier this year, reported last month that their condition was of Ethiopia will get their matzo supply from Israel. no worse than that of other Ethiopians. Ben-Porat, a Minister-Without-Portfolio, did not disclose Meanwhile, the Public Council for Falasha Jews, meet- how the matzos would reach the Falashas inasmuch as Israel ing here today, reported that the American Council for the has no diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. Falashas would help establish a settlement for them in the Ju- An Israeli Falasha who recently visited Ethiopia, reported that the condition of the Falashas there was bad and some are daean mountains near Jerusalem. actually starving. The Council elected Mayor Eliahu Nawi of Beersheba as its He said they appealed to their “Zionist brethren” for help. honorary president.

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 archive.jta.org | Free May 3 MARCH 3, 1989 Moscow’s ‘Bread of Affliction’ to be Homemade This Passover NEW YORK (JTA) - Signs of Marina Russia Synagogue supervise Moscow’s leavening of its stand on Jewish the baking jointly with Rabbi Adolf culture will continue to be felt this Pass- Shayevitch of Moscow’s main synagogue, over, as Soviet authorities are cooperating thus ensuring that the baked matzah will with a New York City Council member to be acceptable to all Jews in the Soviet ensure that kosher for Passover matzah Union. will be available for the holiday. Shayevitch is a state-appointed rabbi, Furthermore, Soviet authorities are while the Marina Russia rabbis are not also allowing the importing of kosher overseen by the Ministry of Religion. Passover wine, which will be sold at rea- Dear said that the Soviet Union agreed sonable prices. to allow for kosher matzah “because they Konstantin Kharchev, the Soviet earnestly want to improve life in the So- minister of religion, and Councilman viet Union. After a trip I sponsored a few Noach Dear, co-chairman of the Joint months ago, they saw that there was no Committee for the Preservation of Jew- conflict being loyal to your religion and to ish Heritage in the Soviet Union, of- your country.” A local Soviet child enjoying a Matzah Datili.co.il ficially launched matzah-baking activi- The matzah will be made from 160 tons ties Wednesday in Moscow, Leningrad, At a Soviet-initiated news conference at the Moscow bak- of flour brought in by truck to the Soviet Minsk and Kiev. ery, Kharchev thanked the American people and American Dear said he arranged with Kharchev’s Union from Strasbourg, France, where it organizations for helping Soviet Jews. consent to have Rabbi Yuri Kamishev was milled under rabbinical supervision. He said the matzah baked in the Soviet Union will be sold and Rabbi Dovid Karpov of Moscow’s The project costs about $200,000. at a fair price.

APRIL 7, 1989

A Different Kind of Seder WASHINGTON (JTA) - A me and dine,” included re- The Four Questions asked refusenik, said when he was a huge communal Passover seder fuseniks Yakov Levin, Yuli and during the seder were followed teenager in Siberia he conduct a was held Tuesday night here for Tanya Edelshtein, Vladimir and by former refuseniks Leon seder in private by taking four the hundreds of Soviet Jews who Maria (Masha) Slepak and Ida Charney, David Goldfarb and pounds of potatoes and divid- will not be permitted to openly Nudel. A chair was left empty Leonid Slepak, Vladimir and ing them into portions to repre- observe the holiday. at each table and everyone was Maria’s son, asking why it is sent the different courses of the More than 300 individuals, given a card and bracelet with forbidden in the Soviet Union meal. including a host of members of the name of a refusenik. to study Hebrew, emigrate or “No one could know about Congress, former refuseniks and “Our task on this seder celebrate . this, it was very forbidden,” White House officials, gathered night is to recount the story Four drops of wine spilled Raitzin said. “I’m sure there are for the meal. of from Egypt,” said for the ten plagues of Egypt many Jews who are conducting Many assisted in reading por- Rabbi Yitzhak Greenberg of were followed by more drops a Passover seder secretly. tions of the special Haggadah the National Jewish Center for spilled for the suffering of Jews Hopefully their dream will that interposed portions of the Learning and Leadership who in the Soviet Union brought on come true and they can conduct traditional text dealing with the led the seder. “Had God not re- by the loss of freedom, educa- the seder as we do in freedom.” exodus of the Jews with refer- deemed us, we would still be tion, speech, identity, religious The special seder, chaired by ences to the plight of Soviet enslaved. Others have not yet expression and emigration to Richard Ravitch, concluded Jews. The guests, symbolically been redeemed. Our task is to Israel. with the traditional plea for invited in the Kiddush to “co- do Go-d’s work.” Cantor Misha Raitzin, a former “next year in Jerusalem.”

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 April 11, 1995 Costa Ricans Can Stay Home to Find Kosher Passover Foods by Brian Harris COSTA RICA (JTA) - Costa Ri- king companies have entered the th of kosher food a month. The variety and easy access to ko- can Jews can add a new item to their market with kosher cuts. He estimated the total sales of sher food is helping Jews here retain lists of preparations for the upcoming Rabbi Yossi Levi -- the kosher im ported and domestic products at their cultural and religious roots. In Passover celebration: Go to the local butcher to Costa Ricans -- works with $500,000 a year, quite a total for a the past, being kosher was a struggle. supermarket. local meat and poultry companies. Jewish comm unity of some 2,500 Now, it is an option. Getting enough kosher food for the Levi ensures that enough kosher meat people. Although more and more “I try to keep kosher but it is not holiday here used to mean ordering is in the stores so that Costa Rica’s products are being locally produced, always possible,” said Yoed Magen, it in advance and travelling to Mi- and Guatemela’s needs are met which matzah and kosher wines are still im- a diplomat at the Israeli Embassy. ami. Now, major supermarkets in the means butchering about 40 heads of ported by the Costa Rica-Israeli Zi- “It’s getting easier due to a growing capital city of San Jose stock enough and 2,500 chickens monthly onist Center, which has had this role demand.”Lawyer Harry Wholstein kosher products for the entire family, “With the help of the excellent rab- since the period between the world agreed. “The person interested in which means that the Miami trip can binical order Costa Rica has, I was wars. staying kosher has a much greater be avoided. able to get the response I needed to Former center president, Enrique chance now,” he said, “but not at lev- Stores here now line their shelves process kosher meat and chicken for Weisleder, said that one year the cen- els like those in the U.S. or Panama. with products such as and the local businesses that have helped ter could not import matzah because We are very, very far away from fruit drinks -- all kosher for Pass- get to their clients a good product,” of transportation problems caused by having that kind of access to kosher over. the rabbi said. Levi does more than WWII. The center made its own at “a foods.” Spurred by the aggressiveness of make sure kosher meat is available. bakery with an old oven.” Although Costa Ricans, however, are moving entrepreneurs in Israel and at home, He imports kosther products from it was tasty, the domestic matzah farther away from the time when ko- A local Soviet child enjoying a Matzah Datili.co.il Costa Rican imports of kosher prod- the United States and Israel, such as was not an economic success, and sher food was scarce, and that makes ucts have skyrocketed. salami, chocolate and pickles. now it must be ordered in advance life and Passover much easier for the And major meat and poultry pac- Levi said he imports $25,000 wor- for Passover. local Jewish community.

MARCH 1, 2004 3,000 Years Later, Plague of Locusts plagues of locusts was recounted by the prophet Joel, who provided Poised to Strike as Passover Nears detailed descriptions of the locusts’ by Ruth E. Gruber development, extent and damage. The U.N. Food and Agriculture ROME (JTA) - Just a few weeks utbreaks in desert parts of northern Organization describes the desert before Passover, a real and poten- and western Africa, including Mali, locust as a form of grass hopper that tially devastating plague of locusts Chad and Mauritania. modifies its ‘behavior and appear- may be hitting the Red Sea coast “If control operations have to slow ance in response to environmental and other parts of the Middle East down or be interrupted, more locusts conditions. and Africa. In a warning issued last added to those alreadt there could But, the organization noted, when week, the Rome-based U.N. Food contribute to eventually transforming weather conditions are right, indicid- and Agriculture Organization said the current situation into a pla-ue,” ual locusts can quickly multiple into Locust like the ones swarming Eilat (Elroy Serraro) a locust outbreak is “in progress on the organization warned. Rampging huge, devastating and highly mobile And the prophet Amos warned that the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia swarms of locusts that darken the swarms that move collectively and the locust devoured “your gardens where swarms are forming. De- sky and consume everything in fly hundreds or even thousands of and your vineyards and your fig trees spite intensive control operations, their path have long been one of the miles. it said, “some of these are expected most feared natural phenomena in When the locusts find ideal conditions and your olive trees.”The Food and to move into the central interior of the region Most famously, a locust in a sequence of seasonal breeding Agriculture Organization maintains the country where a further genera- outbreak was one of the 10 plagues areas, upsurges can develop and lead a special Locust Group to coordinate tion of breeding could occur in the that God inflicted on the Egyptians to rapid multiplication and increas- control operations and external spring. in order to win freedom for the Isra- ingly large swarms,” the organiza- assistance for countries under threat. It is possible that a few swarms elites, that commemorated each year tion said. could reach adjacent areas in Jor- at Passover seders. “If an upsurge is not controlled, a It receives information and data dan, southern Iraq and Western The plague consisted of Sudanese plague can occur in which swarms from national researchers in the Iran later in the spring. “The orga- locusts, which wreaked havoc in the field, analyzes the information with nization’s Red Sea locust warning region every few years, according to invade countries outside the tradi- came as part of an appeal for $9 Encyclopedia Judaica. tional reeding areas. meteorological, remote-sensing and million in funding to stave off po- Besides the plague visited upon Crop damage by swarms can be historical data and issues forecasts, tential plague-proportion locust o- Egypt, of the most severe biblical devastating.” alerts and special warnings.

archive.jta.org | Free May 3 archive.jta.org | Free May 3 April 8, 2008 Astronaut in Space for Passover Remembers a Fallen Israeli Hero by Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (JTA) - As “I haven’t really thought that much “It was the scroll Jews around the world prepare for Passover, aboutthat,” he said. Reisman did spend time and he kind of played the festival of freedom, one adventurous soul planning how to honor Israel’s first astronaut, with it in orbit, and is experiencing emancipation in a most literal Ilan Ramon, who died in the 2003 shuttle Co- they have video of fashion. In his new abode aboard the Interna- lumbia disaster. that. tional Space Station, NASA astronaut Garrett Following the tragedy, Reisman was given She gave me another Reisman has slipped the bonds of gravity and the choice of helping the investigation or pro- copy so I can kind of won’t return to Earth’s shackles for approxi- viding emotional support to Ramon’s family. have the same experi- mately two months. Reisman chose the latter. ence with it up in or- Reisman, 40, a mechanical engineer from “It was so incredibly tragic,” he told The Je- bit, and then I intend Astronaut Gerret Reisman (NASA) Parsippany, N.J., is the first Jewish astronaut rusalem Post during a visit to Israel. “Ilan had to return it to her when I get back.” to live on the orbital outpost, a multinational a great sense of humor and worked very hard Reisman also is flying a cloth with the symbol complex that has been under construction for to represent not only Israel but every Jew in of the State of Israel signed by President Shimon 10 years. For this Passover, living in weight- the world.” Peres, as well as a necklace blessed by a Buddhist lessness will require adaptation on his part. When he was tapped for a space mission priest and a set of rosary beads. For example, matzah is out -- the crumbs of his own, Reisman asked Ramon’s widow, “I pretty much have all my major religions cov- would be uncontainable. Shortly before Reis- Rona, if there was anything she would like him ered,” he joked. man launched aboard the shuttle Endeavour to take into space. Soon the space station will have a more perma- March 11 from the John F. Kennedy Space “Ilan flew a copy of the Israeli Declaration nent mark of Jewish contributions to space explo- Center, he was asked about spending Passover of Independence,” Reisman told JTA in a pre- ration: Reisman’s replacement, Jewish astronaut in space. flight interview. Gregory Chamitoff, is bringing two mezuzot.

whether coffee beans were legumes, and thus The Maxwell House forbidden for Passover according to Ashkenazic Haggadah gets a Facelift norms, or whether they were in fact a berry -- a fruit -- and therefore permitted. by Sue Fishkoff Marketing whiz Joseph Jacobs, founder of the SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) - Nearing its 80th ad agency, got Orthodox Rabbi Hersch Kohn to birthday, perhaps it was time the most printed certify the coffee kosher for Passover. Passover Haggadah in history had a major face- The publication 11 years later of the lift. The Maxwell House Passover Haggadah, eponymous haggadah, still distributed free in which has had more than 50 million copies pub- supermarkets with the purchase of the coffee, ce- lished, hits the shelves -- and supermarkets -- this spring featuring its first new English translation mented the dominance of Maxwell House and its since 1934, the year it was originally printed. haggadah at American seder tables ever since. Banished are the awkward “thee” and “thou,” Over the years, the cover design has changed, replaced by the more conversational “you.” The Arthur Szyk’s haggadah (Abrams) from the original bronze through various blue- Eternal One no longer “deliverith” but “deliv- and-white versions to this newest iteration which ers,” and seder participants are not invited to “eat or King, but is referred to by the gender-neutral features a emenite-style silver kiddush cup. thereof” but simply to eat. While American Jews monikers God he Eternal and Monarch of the The inside illustrations are more subtly of the early 20th century might have accepted Universe. The impetus for the new translation rendered than in previous versions but have not the original, archaic language, “it makes the hag- was not to address gender issues but to retell the changed significantly, with one exception:- In gadah more clumsy for contemporary readers,” old tale in contemporary language. stead of a young boy, a little girl is pictured ask- said Elie Rosenfeld, CEO of Joseph Jacobs Ad- Still, using gender-neutral language for God is vertising. indicated by modern theological understanding, ing the Four Questions. And not just any little The firm has represented Maxwell House from Rosenfeld says. girl: It’s Rosenfeld’s youngest daughter, 6-year- the beginning and spearheaded the new transla- “The fact of the matter is, God doesn’t have old Abigael. tion, which took nearly a year to complete. “We a gender,” he said. The original Maxwell House The text is bigger to make it easier to read, wanted to make sure everyone who uses it feels Haggadah was created as a marketing tool to and the layout is easier to navigate. But the story comfortable with it,” Rosenfeld said. That meant promote the company’s coffee, which was certi- stays the same. political as well as linguistic changes. The High- fied kosher in 1923. “The Jews don’t end up in Boca; they still get er Power in this haggadah isn’t a He Lord There had been controversy for years over to the Promised Land,” Rosenfeld says.

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