Gayle Rubenstein's 2022 Passover Message

After two years of pandemic and a horrible war raging in Ukraine, we are finally going to get together with our lovely extended family in Atlanta and celebrate this Festival of Freedom.

I think we have all learned so much during this unusual time in our lives that there are so many different dimensions of being free. It is not straightforward like it used to be. We must wear a mask! Did you get your shots? Can’t find any toilet paper at Costco! Oh no… Another lockdown!!! No school, no Shul… the list goes on and on.

We are living with so many obligations that have restricted us to do what we normally do. I worry about my grandchildren and what they hear, and what they must fear, about politics, COVID, the confusion about traditional sexuality, and the war. I pray that their lives are as full and rich as ours were.

I and Brian, my husband of 53 years, are so grateful for each other, our children and beautiful grandchildren. We are grateful for our extended family, and we are grateful to be in this wonderful country that we emigrated to 35 years ago and pray for its full recovery.

So, let’s all eat matzo balls and pray for health and peace and the world’s potential to overlook the difficulties we have faced. Be kind, healthy, supportive, generous and forgiving.

Chag Sameach.

Gayle Rubenstein is a wife, mom, grandmother and business owner of Balloons Over Atlanta.