Suburban Jews to observe Passover

Starting at sunset Monday, Jews all over the world will celebrate freedom.

Across Chicago's suburbs, Jews will observe the holiday at home or at their local synagogues until its completion Monday, April 25.

Passover's roots lie in the story of Exodus, as described in the Hebrew Bible. The account tells that 3,000 years ago Israelite slaves, led by Moses, escaped Egypt for the Promised Land.

But Passover isn't just about the story, said Rabbi Howard Lifshitz of Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove. The holiday would hold just as much meaning if the account was never recorded, he said.

“It takes great willpower to rebel against slavery,” Lifshitz said. “I think it takes God's inspiration.”

Lifshitz said that inspiration continues to motivate today, when people remain prisoners to their jobs, for example, or stand up to oppression.

“How is it the people in Egypt decided they wanted to be free of Mubarak?” he said, referring to Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian leader who resigned recently in the face of massive public protests after decades of despotic rule.

Rabbi Sholom Ber Tenenbaum of the Chabad Jewish Center of Gurnee agreed.

“People don't know Passover is not about celebrating a historical event,” Tenenbaum said. “It's actually celebrating the ability to be more free this year than last year.”

The observance of the holiday has more or less remained the same through the years, beginning with a traditional meal, called a Seder, and story telling.

Passover represents the most revered time of the year for Glenn Per, a follower at the Chabad Jewish Center. Forty years ago, Per lived in Lithuania under Soviet Communist rule that prevented Jews from leaving or openly practicing their religion.

“Right after World War II, we were forbidden; we couldn't even have matzo and so on,” Per said.

The Communist oppression gives Per a unique perspective on the holiday, compared to someone used to the religious freedom of the United States. Although he's happy to share his experiences and stories with others, he says he's not sure if American Jews could relate to what happened during Communist rule.

“Back in the old country …. we had to go to the outhouse,” he said. “We used coal to keep warm during the winter, and the only thing we had was electricity; we didn't have water” piped into the house.

“It's incomprehensible for people who were born in the United States and grew up here,” Per added. “You have a passport, you go where you want.”

His rabbi's words about celebrating freedom resonate with Per, who waited more than 15 years before the Soviets granted him permission to leave Lithuania to be with his family.

He first asked to leave in 1954 after his mother and sisters — all Holocaust survivors — had already fled. The request was met with a gamut of excuses from the Soviet government. Finally, the wait ended on Aug. 6, 1971, and the Soviets allowed Per to leave. He eventually moved to Skokie.

Now living with his wife and family in America, Per can best reflect on his journey from oppression to freedom during Passover.

“That's why it's the most important holiday for me, my favorite,” he said.