The Holy Week begins in step with the Jewish Pesach

There are over 27,000 people of Jewish faith in Cincinnati. In fact Cincinnati is home to the" oldest Jewish community west of the Alleghenies". Residents of Greater Cincinnati are too familiar with the invaluable contribution of the Jewish community in business and commerce, education, culture, the arts and philanthropy.
The eight-day celebration of Pesach - or Passover in English - began at sundown on Monday, April 18. The central motif of Pesach is of course the exodus from Egypt. The richness of the rituals of cleaning houses to remove yeast to the manner of celebrating the Seder to signify freedom provides a learning and spiritual experience to be cherished by all - Jews and non-Jews alike.
The exodus experience is for all - from the youngest to the oldest - and every generation. "This day shall be to you one of remembrance: you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord throughout the ages; you shall celebrate it as an institution for all time" (Ex.12: 14 JPS Bible).
Every generation must experience that exodus moment experienced by the generation that left Egypt. Reciting the Passover Haggadah is a way of living that moment. By asking questions during the Seder Meal, children learn and live that moment.
This year the Holy Week and the Passover are celebrated at the same time. Even though the Nicene Council intended to avoid this happening, years of Jewish-Christian Dialogue continue to remind us that we have common roots. It would not even be such a bad idea for the Church to do away with the complicated Nicene formula of calculating Easter.
It is encouraging that the President, for the third year, hosted a Seder Meal last night. It is equally encouraging that many Christians in Cincinnati are getting involved in one way or another in either celebrating the Jewish Passover or incorporating some of its elements in their worship services during this Holy Week.
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