Our dearest Chaverim,
“And so it was in the middle of the night…”
This ancient liturgical poem from the Haggadah tells about a host of miracles that the Israelites were graced with, all of which occurred in the middle of the night. It culminates with a prayer for the day of ultimate redemption, a day that is said to be “neither day nor night.”
But surrounded by dramatic threats from all around, this Seder night bitterly finds us neither here nor there. With tens of thousands of Israelis internally displaced, 133 kidnapped to the tunnels of Gaza, and so many families mourning the loss of their sons and daughters in battle — the fragility of life starkly confronts us all.
The Haggadah demands that we see ourselves as if we personally experienced the Biblical story — as if we were there. Given today’s context — can we even begin to comprehend the suffering of the hostages, in their long, endless night devoid of miracles?
In such moments of unbearable despair, Rabbi Heschel taught that one must allow curiosity, clarity, and awe to illuminate reality. Similarly, the Haggadah calls us to deeply connect with the transition from the oppressive straits (Mitzrayim) to safe grounds. Though it may be dark, our calling is to stand before the young generation and help them find the resilience needed to pull through.
Our mission now is to light a torch in the hearts of thousands of educators so that they can show the way. Indeed, the feedback that we keep receiving from educators and educational leaders from all creeds and backgrounds who are a part of the Village Way network gives us great hope that light will prevail.
In a time of raging discrepancies and seemingly irreconcilable truths, the Village Way is all about facing those contradictions and saying: it can be this, but it can also be that. As long as we stick to the core value of the sanctity of human life; we can embrace all differences, continue together, and overcome adversities.
Much gratitude for your trust and support especially in these times,
Am Yisrael Chai!
Warm Pesach greetings,
Dr. Chaim Peri