Passover in a Time of War: Responsibility, Unity, and Hope

My dear friends, WIZO women,

The holiday of Passover is approaching, and once again we will recount the story of our Exodus from Egypt—each telling more beautiful than the last. Yet this year, here in Israel, as we gather around the Seder table, there may be an alert, a siren, or the sound of missiles overhead. And in that moment, we will know: our thousands-year-old struggle is still with us. Those who seek to destroy us still rise against us, and the miracles that protected our ancestors continue to protect us today, in this very month of Nisan, in the year 5786.

Our current war, together with the United States, against the Iranian regime of hatred, is still ongoing. A full resolution may still be far away—perhaps months, perhaps years, perhaps never fully complete. But just as our people once crossed the Red Sea together, as one, we too must face the challenges of our time united, as one people. This is our central mission in times of war: to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, to carry the burden, and to provide the essential services to our home front—services that become even more critical in times of emergency.

Operating day care centers that allow medical teams to go to work is a sacred, life-saving mission. Protecting educational institutions is a supreme national priority. Supporting communities that have been displaced or live under constant threat is both a national and a human responsibility. And the WIZO Israel branches, which have returned to providing vital community services, are part of the remarkable national strength Israel is demonstrating in some of its finest hours. What pride it is to be part of this!

Returning to the story of the Exodus: in my holiday greetings, I often speak of the women of Israel who, upon crossing the Red Sea, burst into song and dance with tambourines. Where did they find tambourines in the midst of such a hurried escape in the desert? The answer is that the women of Israel played a crucial role during the long years of slavery. They raised and educated the children in secrecy, strengthened and encouraged the men, cared for the young and the elderly, and preserved the unity of the people—even before there was a shared Torah or system of laws. And at night, while others slept, they prepared for redemption, sewing tambourines in anticipation of the day they would celebrate their freedom.

So too today, the women of Israel carry immense responsibility. From the thousands of Israeli women on the front lines—pilots, navigators, Mossad agents, and intelligence officers—to the women on the home front: in education, welfare, healthcare, caregiving; mothers and grandmothers, professionals and volunteers—who uplift the spirit of our people and strengthen our national resilience.

We are a people of peace. We do not seek war, and the value of peace is central to both Judaism and Zionism. Yet at times it seems that in our turbulent Middle East, a quiet day brings us closer to war, while a day of war brings us closer to peace. In these days, our prayer is one: that this war will ultimately close, once and for all, the front between us and Iran and its proxies, and that it will lead to a historic turning point worthy of the struggle. Only then will the price of this war be justified, and the freedom achieved—then and now, through miracles and signs—will take deep root before our eyes.

Wishing you all a joyful Passover, my dear friends—may it be a season of light and renewal, and may the people of Israel know true freedom.

הודו להשם כי טוב, כי לעולם חסדו!

With deep appreciation and gratitude to each of you,

Anita Friedman
World WIZO Chairperson