A Passover Message from Ilyssa Klein
Ilyssa Klein shares her thoughts and inspiration for Passover this year.
Family is my favorite part of all holidays and is the heart of Passover. For me, it’s important to not just celebrate the holiday together but to also cherish the everyday moments. It’s easy to think that the “big” events—vacations, holidays, milestones—are the important moments in family life, but the truth is, it’s the small, everyday moments that often matter most. The conversations at the dinner table, the laughs shared on car rides, and helping my children to navigate life. These small, seemingly insignificant moments are the ones I will remember most when the years have passed.
Passover teaches us to take time to reflect on our journey, to remember what has been, and the importance of being fully present in the moment. As I reflect on my family, I’m constantly reminded of how quickly time seems to pass. My teenage son, now in high school, and my daughter, in middle school, are growing up so fast. One moment, I was helping them with their first steps, and the next, I’m watching them navigate school, friendships, and their own journey toward independence. It feels like the years are slipping through my fingers, and the speed at which they’re growing can be overwhelming. This realization has become especially poignant around Passover, a time of reflection on freedom, family, and the passage of time.
Passover’s theme of slowing down to reflect on the past, present, and future is a reminder not to let time slip by unnoticed. The Seder itself is a ritual that encourages mindfulness, as we stop to dip the parsley, eat the bitter herbs, and recount the story of the Exodus. Each part of the meal is meant to be savored, much like how I should savor my time with my kids, my parents, and extended family. It’s a reminder that there is value in every moment, no matter how small it may seem at the time.
One of the most important lessons I want to impart to my children as they grow older is the value of time—not just to be mindful of how they spend it, but to appreciate the moments they have now. As they become more independent, I want them to understand that time with family is precious, that relationships are what truly matter, and that life is not just about moving from one milestone to the next but about cherishing the journey along the way.
This lesson is as important for me as it is for all of us. Passover teaches us to look back at the past with gratitude, but it also encourages us to look forward with hope and intention. My wish for myself, for my family, and for all of us is to approach the coming years with mindfulness, making the most of the time you have with your loved ones. Take the time to talk to your parents, make an effort to see them often, spend quality moments with your spouse and celebrate your children’s growth, be present for their challenges, and enjoy the fleeting moments you have with them before they move on to the next phase of their lives. From my family to yours, Happy Passover!
Ilyssa Klein is an Account Manager for Atlanta Jewish Times.
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