A Passover Message from Jessica Katz

Passover is a time to gather together, reflect, and celebrate. We celebrate our freedom and honor those who made that possible. One of those people is the heroin Yocheved. With Yocheved as my Hebrew name, I always take pride in reciting the Passover story at the Seder table. Additionally, I now have a young daughter named Miriam (coincidentally!), which has made me reflect on the leadership role these two women had in the Passover story. Yocheved made a brave, but tough, decision to save her child and Miriam’s assertiveness and loyalty to her family and people helped ensure the ending of getting through the parted Sea and escaping to freedom.

Change doesn’t happen because of just one person – Moses did not do this on his own. A community doesn’t thrive because of one citizen or member. A “united” community embraces and celebrates all. We all have a part in our community’s story. As a woman, I hope my voice and my role continue to grow and we continue to lift up all voices.

Jessica Katz is Director of Development at JF&CS and one of this year’s 40 Under 40 recipients.