By Dan Friedman April 2, 2014

I was taught that Passover was the time of the year when we lived unleavened lives, not puffed up with self-importance and luxury. “We were slaves in Egypt,” the Seder reminds us, and we should not commit the sin of hubris by forgetting our roots. Given the number of luxury Passover holidays with full “kosher for pesach” board, I guess I was wrong.

From the depths of Florida to the peace of California, the jungles of Costa Rica to the welcoming repatriative arms of Spain, everyone’s making their exodus for Passover. Maybe the intention is to spare the women of the house some cleaning chores but I doubt it. (I’m as feminist as the next person, but it’s the women cleaning the houses — either their own or as professional cleaners). I don’t have an image for the ad that offers “TRAVELING TO FLORIDA FOR PASSOVER? We will drive your Housekeeper there in a beautiful Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van 2013” but that captures the tone. Here are a few of my favorite ads.

Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT