How are Jews celebrating Passover amid the hostage crisis and Iran's threat?

• Published date: 23 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

While past years have celebrated freedom from captivity, this year the festival falls as some 133 hostages remain captive in Gaza after having been kidnapped by Hamas over six months ago. In the face of this, and the mounting threat of Iran against both Israel and diasporic Jewry, the Conference of European Rabbis released how Jews were observing the holiday differently this year

Spain

In the Spanish city of Barcelona, the conference said that the Jewish community set up a display of an empty table in the synagogue with 133 empty chairs representing a place for each one of the captives. In addition, younger members of the community read passages related to freedom and said prayers for the safety of the captives and the IDF soldiers fighting.

"It will be a great challenge to integrate these issues with the joy of the holiday, but in these challenging times, it is important to pass on messages of unity and solidarity for future generations under the concept of 'and you shall tell your children,'" The Chief Rabbi of Barcelona, Daniel Ashkenazi, said.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, much like in other countries, the Jewish community has experienced a dramatic increase in antisemitism, according to the conference.

As news of Iran's aerial attack against Israel reached the Netherlands, crowds began to celebrate. In response, the conference said the Jewish community convened in the main synagogue where they prayed for the safety of the people in Israel.

The community also collected donations and plans to hold a barbecue for soldiers who have completed their missions in the north.

Italy

The Chief Rabbi of Rome, Samuel Di Segni said that Iran's attacks last Saturday had left the Jewish community sleepless and desperate for news on Israel. A number of steps were taken to ensure the community felt safe and informed about the realities of the Israel-Hamas war.

"In recent weeks, we have hosted several delegations of captive families who met with heads of state in an attempt to pressure them to release the captives. We also held an explanatory evening where we also discussed Hamas's crimes on October 7, including the sexual offenses committed on Black Saturday," Rabbi Di Segni explained "In the Great Synagogue in Rome, we emphasize prayers for the redemption of the captives and the safe return of all the hostages and soldiers fighting in...