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Local temples celebrate pandemic passover virtually

Saturday marked the first day of Passover 2021.

"Passover is universal. It’s the universal story of freedom," said Rabbi Steven Rosenberg of Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs.

Dozens of people joined the virtual meeting to partake in the seder, which is the ritual holiday feast that includes wine, song and readings.

"It is the quintessential story of a peoples’ yearning to be free. It is the story that goes back in the Torah from Exodus and most people know it from the 10 commandments, or other movies like the Prince of Egypt," said Rabbi Rosenberg.

The week-long Jewish holiday commemorates the freedom of Hebrews from ancient Egypt. Rabbi Rosenberg said despite the history behind it, the lessons have modern-day implications.

"This is the age-old story about any people, whether they're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, African American, LGBTQ- it really is a universal story about wanting to just have your basic freedom, you're able to live your life the way you want to."

Temple Sinai of Palm Desert also hosted a virtual meeting. Many people took turns reading, while sitting in on the unconventional virtual seder.

Despite Riverside County's red tier status, which permits 25 percent indoor service at places of worship, Rabbi Rosenberg said they didn't want to risk the spread of COVID-19.

"We also have a principle in Judaism called 'shmirat hanefesh,' which means to protect ourselves and other people which means we have a responsibility to protect our community before anything else."

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Shelby Nelson

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