The Power of Passover: Relive, Revive and Take Responsibility

A timeless truth is especially meaningful in 2025.

So many of my fabulous State of Tel Aviv subscribers have written to ask if all is OK, wondering why we have not issued any articles or podcasts for too long.

I begin with an apology, and now comes the context.

When I set out on March 21 from Israel for what was a planned quick trip to Canada and the U.S., things changed rapidly and dramatically. Within days of my arrival in Toronto, newly-crowned Canadian PM Mark Carney called a general election for April 28.

In my world, this is huge. I am viscerally, proudly, and fiercely Canadian. That means that in addition to wearing flannel plaids and knowing how to start and enjoy a summer campfire, I love the low-key nature of everything here, historically. That quintessentially Canadian trait was altered dramatically with the almost ten-year tenure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Overnight, it seems, we transformed from a hard-working, humble country into a shallow nation fixated on social media validation. And a decade later, it shows.

In 2014, Canadian pundits were penning Justin’s political obituary. He was seen as being a lightweight in every way; an unserious rich kid who swanned into political life because he was otherwise rudderless. Even though his father and former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, was disliked by many in Canada —particularly those working in the oil and gas sectors—Pierre had intellectual heft. Justin was a flake. He had brief stints as a part-time drama, math, and yearbook teacher (yes—you read that correctly) at a tony Vancouver private school and in the public system. But much of his young adulthood seems to have been spent snowboarding and living the party-boy, ski-bum, west coast life.

Among his pals from university was one Gerald Butts, who is generally considered to be Justin’s “Rasputin” in all things political. Butts—along with a small group referred to as “the groomsmen”—tutored Justin in the dark arts of power and more power. This clique is best known from a photograph taken on Justin’s wedding day where they held the future PM aloft. (I’ve always found it a little freaky how his head looks to be detached from his body. Is it just me?)

So much rich and cheesy metaphor in one image.

Last fall, Justin became increasingly reviled by his own caucus—never mind the Canadian public—and was forced to step down as party leader and prime minister, paving the way for his longtime adviser, friend, and hand-picked successor, Mark Carney, to succeed him.

I’ll spare you the shameless backroom shenanigans that saw any remotely strong contender for the leadership become disqualified by party brass. In two cases the individuals were accused of vague offenses. No explanation. The result? Mark Carney, former Governor of the Banks of Canada and England, was coronated leader of the Liberal party and, shortly after, sworn in as Prime Minister.

Many Canadians—myself included—believe that this election is the most important in our lifetime. And so, between this unexpected development, and an already loaded travel schedule, my output for State of Tel Aviv was the casualty. For that I apologize, but I assure you, I will more than make it up in the coming weeks. We’ve got some fabulous material just waiting for that final polish, and then it’ll be out.

What’s coming?

Last Sunday I spoke with MK Simcha Rothman about the latest push to move forward with the many legislative bills related to judicial reform. Another one passed in the Knesset in recent weeks, setting off a predictable hue and cry. This coincided with PM Netanyahu’s firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, a curiously timed move that some believe was intended to stymie the latest investigation into conduct in the PMO—a fresh scandal dubbed “Qatargate.”

Rothman and I had a feisty exchange and got into it all. And then, for a different perspective on the issues, I spoke with Ha’aretz diplomatic correspondent Amir Tibon, who also has the distinction of being a long-time friend of mine and an outstanding journalist. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, you will likely recall having heard of the miraculous rescue of Amir, his wife, Miri, and their two young daughters on October 7—by his father, retired IDF General Noam Tibon. If you have not done so already, I urge you to read Amir’s brilliant account of his October 7 survival in his home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which was ravaged by Hamas. Gates of Gaza not only recounts the horror inflicted on his small community abutting the border with the Gaza Strip, but he also explains the history of these small villages, their significance to the Zionist enterprise, and the anguish and betrayal of that dark day.

Going forward we will, as we do, provide at least one podcast (now audiovisual if you prefer) and written piece each week, but often more. We have some great innovations we are developing for the site and will introduce in the coming months.

This digital environment is exciting and offers limitless potential. It is also volatile and fluid. Tastes and preferences are fickle—because they can be.

We’re working to identify the most suitable trends to enhance our platform and broaden our audience without, of course, compromising the quality and focus…easier than it sounds… :)

I have been popping all over North America in the last three weeks, east to west and north to south and back again. I was fortunate to be in Miami for the celebration of my aunt’s 85^th birthday before boomeranging to Calgary, Alberta, where I was co-honored by the local B’nai B’rith chapter at a magnificent gala evening.

Perhaps the best part was that my co-honoree was Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a force of nature who is at the forefront of standing up to the Trudeau-Carney New World Order of net zero carbon emissions, which, of course, translates into the ruin of what should be a thriving oil and gas sector in Canada. Instead of booming economically, this great country has been pummeled by misguided policies. In fact, when Germany, Japan, and so many western countries came begging then PM Trudeau to build pipelines and increase our fossil fuel production, he responded by famously dismissing the requests, stating, “There is no business case for doing that.”

In other words. There is no desperate global demand for oil and gas supply in light of Russia turning off the taps for many dependent markets—like Germany. So, they turned to Qatar, which increased its output and profits handsomely. Canada, meanwhile, has plummeted from being among the wealthiest nations in the OECD and G-7 to steadily swirling to the bottom.

We have also become a country in which 20% of the population depends on food banks; our “migrant” numbers are off the charts and beyond unsustainable. In 2015, Canada had a population of 35-million. Today it is approximately 42 million. Of those, five million people are in the country on expired visas, and the authorities are unable to even locate, never mind deport them. The Islamist influence in Canada is shameful and increasingly violent and dangerous. Home to the world’s fourth largest Jewish community, Canada is reeling and failing in so many ways. And this is why I am extending my visit and throwing every ounce of energy I have into helping the Conservative party and its leader, Pierre Poilievre, win this election. And if I lose subscribers over that statement, so be it.

Passover and the Hamas Hostages

Throughout these rather frenetic few weeks, I have continued to advocate and do everything possible to maintain the profile of the 59 hostages languishing in Hamas captivity. We are all familiar with the barbaric horrors they have survived until today. I leave you with two video clips that just broke my already rent heart. The first is an Instagram post of Yarden Bibas’:

And here is Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of Omri Miran, who turned 48 on April 11. There have been no signs of life for Omri since July 2024. Lishay and her two beautiful daughters, Roni and Alma, presented Omri with birthday wishes and a special present on Israeli channel 12 a few days ago. It is, of course, so deeply sad.

In this segment. Lishay and her daughters wish Omri congratulations on his birthday. And the present Lishay opens is a box. The journalist, Dani Cushmaro asks, “An empty box?”

Lishay responds, “A box full of air.” She reminds viewers that Omri is held in the Hamas tunnels, deep underground, where the oxygen supply is life-threateningly low. He needs air, as do Alma and Roni. Air is what this family needs so desperately to survive.

Lishay continues to wish her beloved husband strength, urging him to hang on and return to his loving family.

Since October 7 I have worked with the Hostage Family Forum and others to maintain focus and awareness of this singular, incomprehensible tragedy.

You may consider going to the graphic, above, which takes you to the link where a digital Haggadah is being sold. It is a modern (ie. shorter) version of what you might be using or recall from your childhood. But it very much speaks to the moment. There are traditional readings, prayers, and song. And this Haggadah is full of reflections of hostages who have returned and family members of those in captivity and murdered. It will add meaning to your seder table and any private thoughts you may have at this time of year.

Many people consider the Hostage Family Forum to be “political.” All I know is that they have advocated from the first day of this crisis for the return of all the hostages. Their work supports the families in distress, those who have returned, and acts as a bridge to the general population that wishes to connect and support these families. They did not choose to be selected in this way. I, personally, feel compelled to support them however I can. If that’s “political”, so be it.

If you do not observe or “celebrate” Passover, please find a way to keep the hostages and their loved ones top of mind. Until the last one is home.

Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful holiday. Thanks for being here.

Best wishes,

Vivian Bercovici / aka Telavivian