For thousands of years, the story of the exodus from Egypt has been told at Seder tables around the world, bringing light into even the darkest of times with the holiday’s themes of freedom and redemption. This week’s issue covers recent protests against anti-Semitism and gun violence, the opening of a virtual museum on Shoah refugees, and uplifting articles on Passover traditions and recipes. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Pesach Sameach!

Shabbat Candlelight March 30 | 7:02PM

Thousands participate in silent march in Paris against anti-Semitism [article in French]
Protesters walked in memory of Holocaust survivor Mireille Knoll, who was brutally murdered in her apartment last week.

Source: Times of Israel

Virtual museum on Shoah refugees opens
Federation CJA affiliated agency the Montreal Holocaust Museum launches this new online resource, which tells the stories of desperate European Jews who made their way to Canada from 1933-1955.

Source: Canadian Jewish News

Listen to Ofra Haza sing “Chad Gadya”
Enjoy this vintage TV clip of the beloved Israeli pop star performing a classic Passover song.

Source: YouTube/ Ofra Haza on Sharti Lach Artzi, 1979

Joan Nathan & Yotam Ottolenghi on where the Jewish food world is
The iconic chefs discuss Passover menus, complete with delicious Seder recipes from across the Jewish world.

Source: Food52

Watch: 11-Year-Old Naomi Wadler’s powerful speech at the March for Our Lives
“My friends and I might be still be 11 and we might still be in elementary school, but we know life isn’t equal for everyone and we know what is right and wrong,” Wadler (who is African-American and Jewish) said.

Source: The Forward/YouTube

Mimouna, a Sephardic custom, closes Passover holiday with celebratory dishes
Try out the recipes for muflettas and marzipan, two mouth-watering desserts to celebrate the end of Passover.

Source: Chicago Tribune

These 5 works by Israeli artists will make you rethink the Seder plate
Check out these stylish twists on the traditional Seder plate, made with unusual materials and innovative designs.

Source: Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Source: JFNA

Federation CJA and the CSUQ come together to provide Chesed Passover baskets to those in need

Thanks to your generosity, as part of the annual Chesed Passover basket distribution, over 1,000 individuals in need in our community received gift cards to IGA to help them procure the necessary provisions for their Passover Seders. Rather than assemble baskets with fixed items, this enables each family to choose what they need to make their Seder a meaningful celebration. Gift cards to the Goods4Good store were also distributed.

This initiative was made possible through a partnership between Federation CJA and the CSUQ (Communauté Sépharade unifiée du Québec), in collaboration with affiliated agencies Ometz and The Cummings Centre for Seniors. Special thank you to co-chairs Samuel Cohen-Scali and Marc Kakon for their leadership in the 2018 Chesed campaign, and to Rachel Elbaz and all the volunteers for helping to make this a reality.

In addition, Federation CJA’s Sepharade Philanthropy, in collaboration with Doudou Dahan/Centre d’études Torah (C.E.T.), packed and provided Passover goods to assist 130 Montreal Jewish families with their Passover preparations as part of the Chodesh Tov Project.

To learn more about your impact, click here.