Jody Pollack's Message for Passover 2026

What does it mean to be a good Jew? What an awesome “Jewish” question! It is begging for controversial answers. Most responses are true to some and none are true to others. As opposed to asking what the definition of “is” is, we are faced with the question of what “good” is. This is something that I am clearly not qualified to answer.

As my late father would say when my grandmother made something that appeared to be inedible like schav, pickled herring or chopped liver, I would run away from even looking at these “delicacies” let alone taste them, he would say to me “You don’t know what good is.” In those situations, I heartedly agreed with him.

To answer the question of what is a “good” Jew, well, a tough one. I consider myself to be a pretty good Jew. Not great but possibly good enough. I don’t go to services that often or minyan ever, but I have done a few things that have benefited our Jewish community, assuming you like Kosher BBQ and a family day in the park. I do help members of the community that are in need, although more often than I intend. I also very much support Israel and causes that help her. Does that qualify? Is there a point system? How many do I need? How do I know if I have enough? Is life just an act to get to the next step and we are merely putting on a show in anticipation of a later reward?

How about we put away the scorecard for a while, except for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and just try to be decent people and treat others decently because it is the “good” thing to do. In reality this is something that will be judged by he who is high above and we’ll find out sooner than some of us anticipate.

Either way, enjoy your seders and your families, leave the door open for Eliahu and pray for the IDF and our families in the war zones.

Chag Sameach.