Pitching a Passover Fit: Part II

Yesterday I posted about why Passover is a good time to throw a fit at your grocery store, and one commenter took issue with the whole idea. He felt sorry for the store manager who had to deal with me.

Which I actually understand.  Because as a rule I think that we (not Jews, but people in general) are overly entitled, spoiled, and lazy.  And in most areas of argument, I'll side with the overworked waitress, the tired airline-worker, the telemarketer just trying to do his job.

But not on this, not on Jewish identity.  I'll stand firm on this… and say that Jews should throw a BIG fit more often, demand recognition, accomodation for their faith and culture.

And I hope to explain this a little better now, where people will see it, and not in the comment boxes.

A story:

When I went to work at Hillel, I was asked what the most important campus ritual of the year was.  I took a guess.  "Passover Seder."  I was wrong. 

So I tried again, "Yom Kippur Services."  Nope!

Ummm… I was at a loss. 

"Shabbat candles?" 

Not even close.   My director explained to me then… that in many ways, the Sukkah was the most important thing we did all year. 

Why? 

Because it's highly visible.  Because it sends a message to alienated and lonely kids that there ARE Jews on campus.  And that they aren't alone.  Because from the day you build it, until the day it comes down, it's a huge billboard for Jewish life. 

And to the non-Jewish community it says, "Hey, we're doing something cool over here.  Something we're proud of."

Even if nobody sets foot inside it, the Sukkah is a symbol.

And I came to understand that this was true.  That visibility matters a great deal, especially for a culture that has spent thousands of years in ghettos, behind walls, speaking in hushed tones.

Which is why the Passover display at the grocery store matters so much, even though I can drive 15 minutes to another one.  Specifically BECAUSE there isn't a visible Jewish presence in my neighborhood.  BECAUSE there's no synagogue, no JCC. 

Because it's all we have.

Because in any area where a few Jews live, the stupid grocery store Passover display acts as a symbol.  Once a year it sends a message to the Jews in the neighborhood that they're all still around.  And it acts as a beacon. People flock to it. They loiter in that aisle for longer than they need to, just to talk to other Jews.  They introduce themselves, and whine about the poor selection the store offers.  They swap stories of how far they had to drive last year to find fruit slices.  They ask each other what they're doing for Seder.  It's a tool for community building. 

It makes us feel less alone.

And if, for the price of bugging a store manager, I can help that happen.  Politely. Respectfully.  I'm going to do it.