Making an Exodus Vacation

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.

Dan Friedman is the former executive editor and whisky correspondent of the Forward, and is the author of a book about Tears for Fears, the ’80s emo rock band.

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