Obama on Passover: Together we can continue work of 'tikkun olam'
US president extends holiday greeting before hosting annual White House Seder.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUS President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama host a Passover seder dinner with friends and staff at the White House, April 2009(photo credit: REUTERS/PETE SOUZA/THE WHITE HOUSE/HANDOUT)
In his annual Passover greeting, US President Barack Obama on Friday wished a "Chag Sameach" to all those celebrating the Jewish holiday. In a statement issued before hosting his seventh Seder at the White House, Obama said that the Exodus story recounted on Passover "has inspired countless generations over the years."While avoiding mention of the recent headline-grabbing issue of diplomacy on the Iranian issue, Obama noted that the Passover story stands as a reminder that "progress has always come slow and the future has always been uncertain, but it also reminds there is always reason for hope.""Like the Israelites who Moses led out of slavery long ago, it is up to us to never lose faith in the better day that lies ahead," he stated, adding that "together, we can continue the hard but awesome work of tikkun olam, and do our part to repair the world.As part of a tradition the US president began in his 2008 campaign, he and his family were set to join the millions of Jews in the United States, Israel and around the world to take part in retelling "one of humanity's great stories of liberation."