Jerusalem–

Every year, Arongait’s mother led the family in celebrating Passover, celebrating the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt thousands of years ago. But this year, after his mother was killed and other family members kidnapped during Hamas attacks on Israel, Gait is grappling with how to organize a holiday to commemorate freedom.

Gat’s sister Carmel and his wife Yarden Roman-Gat were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack. His wife was released in November, but his sister remains imprisoned.

“We cannot celebrate our freedom because we do not have it. Our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers are still imprisoned and we need to free them,” Gait said.

On Monday, Jews around the world will begin celebrating the week-long Passover holiday, telling the biblical story of their escape from Egypt after hundreds of years of slavery. But for many Israelis, it’s hard to understand celebrating freedom when friends and family are not free.

Hamas attacks killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. About half were released during a week-long ceasefire in November, while the remainder remain in Gaza, with more than 30 of them believed to have died.

For many Jews, Passover is a time to reunite with family and reflect on the Exodus experience at a meal known as the “Seder.” Observant Jews avoid eating the grain known as chametz, which is reminiscent of the unleavened bread the Israelites ate when they quickly fled Egypt without time for the dough to rise.

But this year, many families are torn about how — or even whether — to celebrate.

When Hamas attacked Kibbutz Beeri, Gait, his wife, three-year-old daughter, parents and sister hid in a rocket-proof safe room for several hours. But armed men entered the house and killed or kidnapped everyone inside except the father, who was hiding in the bathroom. His mother was dragged into the street and shot.

Gate’s arms and legs were tied and he was pushed into a car with his wife and daughter. During their brief stay, they managed to escape. Romain Gate knew he could run faster, so he gave their daughter to him. Gate escaped with her and hid in a ditch for nearly nine hours. His wife was captured and held in Gaza for 54 days.

Romain-Gatt told The Associated Press that Passover will be even more profound this year because freedom is given a new meaning.

“Close your eyes and feel the wind on your face. Shower. Go to the toilet without permission and have complete privacy and privilege to walk as long as you want without anyone rushing me and waiting for me on the other side to make sure I Still belongs to them,” she said in a text message.

Still, Passover will be shrouded in deep sorrow and worry for her sister-in-law and the other hostages, she said. The family will celebrate the occasion with a low-key dinner at a restaurant without any celebrations.

Rabbi Martin Lockshin, a professor emeritus at York University in Canada who lives in Jerusalem, said that although times of suffering are difficult, Jews have always sought to celebrate holidays during periods of persecution, such as in concentration camps during the Holocaust. .

“They can’t celebrate freedom, but they can celebrate the hope of freedom,” he said.

This crisis affects more than just the families of the hostages. The war left 260 soldiers dead and cast a pall over the otherwise joyful holiday. The government also scaled back Independence Day celebrations in May amid popular sentiment and fear of public protests.

Likewise, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends with the three-day feast of Eid al-Fitr, is a sad and low-key affair for Palestinians. More than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced by the fighting, and Hamas health officials say nearly 34,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

Scenes of suffering, destruction and starvation in Gaza have received little attention in Israel, where much of the public and state media remain highly focused on the aftermath of the October 7 attack and the ongoing war.

After months of fits and starts, talks on a deal to release the remaining hostages appear to have stalled, making it unlikely they will return home for Passover.

The hostages’ suffering has reverberated around the world, with some in the Jewish diaspora asking rabbis to pray specifically for the hostages and Israel at this year’s Seder. Others created a new Haggadah, which is read during the Passover Seder, to reflect current realities.

Noam Zion, author of the new book “Haggadah,” has donated 6,000 copies to families affected by the war.

Zion said: “The Passover Seder should help us revisit and learn from our past of slavery and liberation from Egypt, but in 2024 it must also raise contemporary questions about the confusing and painful current situation, most of all and importantly, to provide hope for the future,” Professor Emeritus, Department of Jewish Studies, Hartmann Institute, Jerusalem.

The revised Haggadah features excerpts from hostage families urging people not to hate in pain. It provides guidance for navigating the complex emotions of the holiday season while raising existential questions about the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

Some families said it was too painful to celebrate.

Nirit Lavie Alon’s son’s girlfriend was kidnapped at Nova Music Festival. Two months later, the Israeli military informed her family that 27-year-old graffiti artist Inbar Haiman had died and her body remained in Gaza.

“It’s impossible to celebrate a holiday of freedom,” Aron said. This year she won’t be with her family, but will spend a few days in the desert. She said the operation would not be shut down until all hostages, including the remains of the victims, had been returned.

Some families remain hopeful that their loved ones will be released in time for Passover.

Shlomi Berger’s 19-year-old daughter Agam was kidnapped two days after starting her military service on the Gaza border.

Videos of her bloodied face emerged shortly after the Hamas attack, including one showing an armed man pushing her into a truck and another showing her inside with other hostages. He said the only evidence of his life since then was a phone call from a freed hostage who had been in the tunnel with Agam to wish him a happy birthday.

Still, he refused to give up hope.

“The Passover story is about us going from slaves to free people, so it’s a parallel story,” Berger said. “That’s the only thing I believe will happen. Forrest will go from darkness to light. Her and all the other hostages.”