Cheryl Dorchinsky's Message for Passover 2026

Every year at the end of the Seder, we say, “Next year in Jerusalem.” It’s a phrase we’ve repeated for generations — but this year, it feels more personal, more immediate, and more meaningful than ever.

Passover tells the story of our journey from slavery to freedom, from fear to faith, from exile to home. It reminds us that every generation faces its own challenges, and that our responsibility is not only to remember our past, but to live its lessons in the present. Today, as Israel and Jewish communities around the world face growing hostility, that message feels especially urgent.

I’ve been told recently that wearing my Star of David or expressing my connection to Israel is an act of bravery. To me, it isn’t. It is simply my identity. I am a Jewish woman, and I will not leave that behind when I walk out my door. Our history has shown us that hiding has never been the answer. Strength, faith, and unity have always carried us forward.

“Next year in Jerusalem” is more than tradition—it is a statement of who we are as a people. It reflects our connection to one another, to our history, and to our homeland.

This year, my prayer is for peace—for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for the world. And with that hope, I say: next year in Jerusalem.

Chag Pesach Sameach.