Closing the gaps
Many generations are represented at our Seder tables. We come together at Passover, to celebrate 157 generations- give or take a few- to re-enact the journey of our ancestors from Egypt, through the desert, across the Red Sea, to the Land of Mitzrayim in the 13th century BCE.
How long is a generation? Generations are not based on chunks of time. They are based on the tradition of L’dor V dor, through which we pass our cultural and religious history, values, rituals, and traditions from one generation to the next. Each generation brings memories to the table of Passover pasts -how they have changed over the years, who, or not, may be with us this year, and where we hope to be next year.
Layers of parenting philosophies and practices, technology, education, economics, and zipcodes shape generations. Who we are, or hope to be, are composites of those who preceded us. Despite all we have in common, different expectations and actions of each generation often lead to generational stereotypes, misunderstandings, and deeper divisions and wider gaps. We try to grow with the time to avoid using old family stereotypes, and antiquated models, concepts and language. Our comfort zones are always bending!
Many generational miles have passed from the Lost Generation- people born in the 1800’s, followed by the Silent Generation, the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Millennials, and all of the Gens, to the newly branded Gen Alphas.
Each generation has experienced our own new beginnings, fresh starts, and exhilarations- rock and roll, the Beatles invasion, putting a man on the moon, the end of Jim Crow laws, and life-saving medications and medical technologies that have increased life expectancy- for some.
In many cases, it is technology that has allowed us to come together tonight virtually when many of us have been separated by distance or health. Who ever imagined the extent to which computers, the internet, smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence, and ChatGPT would influence our lives? We can only dream about what is to come.
Current generations share successes but we also share the pain and tragedies of wars, a Holocaust, assassinations, an attack on our homeland, a pandemic, the threat of global warning. We are terrified by the vocal minority that refuses to pursue gun control, acknowledge the need to protect our children and our planet, threatens the health of women, or refuses to accept racial and gender equality. Whenever we think we have turned a corner that provides hope and security for the next generation, injustice lurks.
Our Seder tables provide opportunities, through stories and song, to retell our struggles and share the wisdom of our ancestors and generations that preceded us. Through the eyes of the youngest child who may be reciting the Four Questions for the very first time, we witness a generation who will carry our memories and hopes and dreams to future seders.
Eight days of Passover gives us time reflect on the past, celebrate our freedoms, and recall those who could not be with us due to religious persecution. It gives us the opportunity to commit to the future- not by leaning back in our chairs or suffering through a week of matzoh, but by continuing to bring into sharper focus the immediate issues on our plates- antisemitism, equal rights, and accountability for all!
Each of us has internalized the stories from family, friends, and even strangers that have become hard-wired into our multi-generational selves. Tonight, we come together, not as individuals, but as we- to accept, respect, and love ourselves and others.
Who knows how the energy of the 157 generations represented at our tables tonight will help us be our better and stronger selves, and wiser communities? It will take the power of us to continue the Dor v Dor tradition. Hopefully our descendants will have better stories to tell!
Chag Sameach! • Zissen Pesach!
