Ray Alyssa Rothman’s Message for Passover 2026

With Passover, we gather to retell a story that is both ancient and alive. The exodus from Egypt is not only a journey from slavery to freedom. It is also about identity, responsibility, and the enduring question of what it means to live as a Jew in every generation.

So, what does it truly mean to live as a “good Jew” today?

For some, the answer begins in the synagogue: showing up, praying in community, and keeping traditions alive. Others find it in the study of Torah, questioning, and seeking wisdom from words that have influenced Jewish life since before the common era. Still, others express it through their support for Israel and the connection to Jewish peoplehood.

But Passover offers us the opportunity to recognize that being a “good Jew” resists a single definition.

At the seder table, we are made aware that a Jew is not judged solely by his or her attendance, scholarship, or affiliation. To be Jewish is a lived experience; an ongoing commitment to values that guide how we move through the world.

Being a good Jew may mean practicing kindness even when it is difficult. It may mean standing up for justice because we know what it is like to feel judged. It may mean building community, caring for those in need, and acting with integrity even when no one is watching.

In Atlanta, Jewish life takes many forms. Some find meaning in tradition, others in culture, others in action. The beauty of Judaism is that it allows for varied paths while, at the same time, cultivating thoughtfulness, compassion, and accountability.

Passover reminds us that freedom is an ongoing responsibility. To be a “good Jew” means not just remembering our liberation but committing to active engagement with our values.

Ultimately, the answer lies in the balance between ritual and ethics, tradition and action, and identity and humanity. To me, this is the essence of being a “good Jew.”

And as we open the door for Elijah and welcome guests, Passover reminds us that being a “good Jew” is not about achieving somebody’s standard of perfection. Rather, it is about keeping the door open for learning, growth, and carrying the story into the future.

Chag Sameach!

Ray Alyssa Rothman is a commercial real estate broker who focuses on land.  Her side business is her nonprofit, Kibbitz & Konnect, the premier in-person social network for Atlanta’s Jewish singles community (www.kibbitzkonnect.org).