Topeka Temple Beth Sholom thinks of hostages in Gaza this Passover

TOPEKA (KSNT) - It's the season of Passover, a significant holiday in the Jewish faith where those who celebrate remember the Jewish people's freedom from ancient Egypt.

With the war between Israel and Hamas raging on, this Passover has a somber feel to it. That's because this Passover marks 200 days of 133 hostages in Gaza. Here in Topeka at Temple Beth Sholom, over 80 people signed up for a special Seder.

It's one that has even more meaning for the congregation.

"We've had the October seventh attack and the brutal murders of all the people in Israel," Temple Beth Sholom Board Member Alan Parker said. "And then the upheavals ever since then and we don't have an end in sight yet, so it gives us a lot more to think about."

"It's a little more difficult when it's not a backstory and now you're living it," Temple Beth Sholom congregation member Rachel Herold said. "We're still hoping that someone, a greater being, God will step in and lead people to do the right thing."

This year, while telling the story of Passover, it's also a year that recognizes the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and all the people who are still being held captive. That's why at the head table, there's an empty chair designated for the hostages. Wine glasses also only filled half full. This represents the familiarity of joy being diminished. Because as Rabbi Stern said, joy can't be full as long as hostages are being held captive.

"To be able to tell the story of those who are in bondage today," Rabbi Stern said. "Who are kept hostage today. And, so it is more somber. It is acknowledging that there are our brethren in the world today who are not free. Who are specifically captives."

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