“Tonight marks the start of the Festival of Passover, a holiday that is all about faith, family, and freedom from oppression.  Passover reminds us that the struggle for liberty and justice is never ending.  We must be forever vigilant to guard against the rise of hate in speech and in action.  People of good conscience must speak out to denounce the evil of anti-Semitism much the same as Moses and Aaron spoke out against the injustices and cruelty of the Egyptian Pharaoh.  As Jewish New Yorkers gather around the Seder table tonight to retell the story of their Exodus from Egypt after hundreds of years of slavery, I want to take this opportunity to wish all who celebrate this Festival of Miracles – a Chag Pesach Kasher Vesame’ach. May your holiday be filled with joy and peace.” 

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