Pesach Roundup 2024

 It was a pretty mellow Pesach, and that suited me juuuuust fine.

Seder highlight: Menashe saying the Four Questions in Spanish, with Penina joining in when she could (I suggested that they increase the adorable newlywed vibes and practice to say it in unison next year).

Chol HaMoed highlight (although, since this was the only family trip I participated in, there was no competition): Guided tour of the gorgeous new National Library of Israel 

and a fun time messing around in the Library's sculpture garden:

The thrill of being in Israel for Passover truly never goes away. From seeing the streets get cleaned early in the morning erev Pesach

to having entire rows closed off in the supermarkets because they're chametz 

and having a chuckle at the sign on the soda machine assuring that everything inside is kosher for Passover.

The flip side is also true: the emotional depth of being in Israel is so intense.....Yizkor: the last time this memorial prayer was said was over Sukkot, just as the war was starting. How many people were saying it for the first time this Pesach? How many parents mourning children, especially soldiers killed in action? Took my breath away to think of.....