NYC Gazette

On Sunday March 31, the Jewish Center hosted a book launch for The Promise of Liberty, a newly released Haggadah by Straus Center Deputy Director Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern and Jacob Kupietzky. The event, which featured Adam Kirsch, Wall Street Journal features editor, in conversation with Dr. Halpern, was graced by the presence of Rabbi Dr. Yosie Levine, who contextualized the publication of the Haggadah amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel. Rabbi Levine poignantly stated, “Israeli and American citizens are held hostage in Gaza...and the theme of redemption seems particularly poignant at this moment.”

Jacob Kupietzky, expressing gratitude to Rabbi Levine for his support in bringing the Haggadah to fruition, emphasized the importance of passing down the Pesach story to future generations. He noted, "I underscored the responsibility of Jewish parents to transmit the Pesach story from one generation to the next."

During the conversation between Dr. Halpern and Mr. Kirsch, the enduring relevance of biblical narratives, especially the Exodus story, in shaping American identity was explored. Mr. Kirsch highlighted the intricate relationship between biblical archetypes and American historical figures, mentioning, “To the colonists, King George was Pharaoh, but George Washington owned slaves. These stories can be used both by and against the founding fathers.”

Dr. Halpern delved into the connection between religious narratives and national mythologies, illustrating how Americans have intertwined the Exodus story into their own national narrative. He explained, “The value of freedom is so built into the American ethos, and so built into the Pesach story.”

As the evening progressed, Mr. Kirsch reflected on his personal connection to the Haggadah, stating, “Judaism is a tradition of reinterpreting the same text in different ways...It was the first time I’d felt like they were rising against me, right now.” The conversation also touched upon the phrase “Next Year in Jerusalem,” prompting Mr. Kirsch to ponder, “What does ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’ mean to us? We don’t go - why are we saying it? This is an interesting question to be thinking about.”

In response, Dr. Halpern acknowledged the historical complexities surrounding the phrase, highlighting the unique position of American Jewry today. He affirmed, “Today we live in a land where we express this yearning freely - in this country, we can say it loudly and proudly.”

The event concluded with attendees receiving copies of The Promise of Liberty, generously sponsored by the Paul E. Singer Foundation.