President Obama Issues First-Ever Video Message For Passover

From slavery to matzoh ball soup in the White House: President reflects on the meaning of the Exodus, wishes all Chag Sameach...
UPDATE: CLICK HERE for the post about the 2012 Presidential Seder
President Obama will host his fourth annual Passover Seder on Friday night, a tradition that began on the 2008 campaign trail. This year, the Jewish holiday is getting extra attention from the White House, because once again, it is an election year (more than 75% of Jews voted for Mr. Obama in 2008, according to polls). Today, for the first time ever, President Obama--who has routinely issued holiday videos for other faiths--released a video message for Passover, wishing Chag Sameach from the First Family to Jews in America and around the globe.

The President hails the story of the Jewish struggle for freedom as an inspiration for all regardless of race or ethnicity, and says he's looking forward to his own Seder, and enjoying "a good bowl of matzo ball soup." Above, the President gets his matzoh ball soup during the 2011 Seder.



During his message, the President briefly mentions the recent shootings of Jewish citizens in Toulouse, France, and ponders the question of the responsibilities that all citizens have once, like the Israelites, they are freed from bondage. He is proud to share in the Seder tradition, the President says.

"The story of that first Exodus has also inspired those who are not Jewish with common hopes, and a common sense of obligation," President Obama says. "So this is a very special tradition – and it’s one I’m proud to be taking part of tomorrow night, at the fourth annual White House Seder. Led by Jewish members of my staff, we’ll retell the story of the Exodus, listen to our youngest guest ask the four questions, and of course, look forward to a good bowl of matzo ball soup."

The White House's election-year focus on Passover included a special Passover cooking lesson last week that was livestreamed, starring Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses and acclaimed Jewish cooking authority Joan Nathan. Watch the video here; the post includes recipes for Matzoh Chremsel and Pear Haroset. The White House also released another Passover recipe: for White House Passover Apricot Sponge Cake, the first *official* White House recipe that's been released for Passover.

The President and his guests have enjoyed a dinner each year that the White House chefs cooked from recipes provided by guests; last year's menu for a dozen guests included traditional Seder favorites: Chicken soup with matzoh balls, braised beef brisket, potato kugel, carrot soufflé, and matzoh chocolate cake. The President's Seder is "not strictly kosher but kosher style," according to a White House aide. The Maxwell House Haggadah is used for the readings, and this year's guest list will be larger than last year's, when a dozen guests were invited. (Above: The President reads from the Maxwell House Haggadah during the 2010 Seder)

The President's Seder tradition...
The President's Passover video message is today featured in a post on the White House blog, written by Jarrod Bernstein, the Director of Jewish Outreach at the Office of Public Engagement. Bernstein re-explains the now much-told story of the President's Seder tradition.

"By now, the story of how that tradition began has been told and retold, but in the spirit of Passover, I’ll tell it again," Bernstein writes.

"In April of 2008, the President and his staff were on the trail in Pennsylvania in the midst of a long primary campaign. Weary from a long day of work and away from their families, a small group of staffers came together to hold an impromptu Seder. When then-Senator Obama got wind of the Seder, he gathered some other staff and friends and decided to join. At the end of the Seder, the President followed the traditional “Next year in Jerusalem” declaration with a pledge of his own – “Next year in the White House.” Each year since, he has followed through on that promise."

The transcript of the President's Passover message:

I’d like to wish a happy holiday to all those celebrating Passover.

The story of the Exodus is thousands of years old, but it remains as relevant as ever. Throughout our history, there are those who have targeted the Jewish people for harm – a fact we were so painfully reminded of just a few weeks ago in Toulouse. Just as throughout history, there have been those who have sought to oppress others because of their faith, ethnicity or color of their skin.

But tomorrow night, Jews around the world will renew their faith that liberty will ultimately prevail over tyranny. They will give thanks for the blessings of freedom, while remembering those who are still not free. And they will ask one of our life’s most difficult questions: Once we have passed from bondage to liberty, how do we make the most of all that God has given us?

This question may never be resolved, but throughout the years, the search for answers has deepened the Jewish people’s commitment to repairing the world, and inspired American Jews to help make our union more perfect. And the story of that first Exodus has also inspired those who are not Jewish with common hopes, and a common sense of obligation.

So this is a very special tradition – and it’s one I’m proud to be taking part of tomorrow night, at the fourth annual White House Seder. Led by Jewish members of my staff, we’ll retell the story of the Exodus, listen to our youngest guest ask the four questions, and of course, look forward to a good bowl of matzo ball soup.

Michelle and I are proud to celebrate with friends here at home and around the world, including those in the State of Israel.

So on behalf of the entire Obama family, Chag Sameach.

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*Photos by Pete Souza/White House. The Presidential Seders are held in the old Family Dining Room.