Gaza hostages raise painful reminders as Jews prepare for Passover

At Sinai Temple in west Los Angeles, blue ribbon marks off more than 130 seats that stand as reminders of the hostages who remain in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel

The seats remind Sherman of words from the Haggadah – the ritual script for telling the Passover story during evening Seder meals. "We must tell the stories of the hostages who are continuing to be held captive in Gaza," she says."It's a reminder that the story from Egypt continues thousands of years later — all of the stories being held captive right now that won't be around a table during Passover."that followed have been difficult, says Guzik, especially for many American Jews who stood with Black Americans, immigrants and LGBTQ people during the long fight for liberty and now feel abandoned.

"This year, there will be a lot of mourning. It's been a really tragic and traumatic time," she says."You know, we hope bringing people together to experience this ancient ritual will provide some optimism for how we can move forward." Bank says the Israel-Hamas war also has him quoting and reflecting on the two millennia old words of the Rabbi Hillel:"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" It's a sentiment that reminds Bank of the various levels of ethical obligation — to self, to community and to strangers — and the wisdom to discern when to act on those obligations.

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