A Historic Moment: Passover in the Heart of Chalatenango

For the first time in history, the department of Chalatenango witnessed a deeply meaningful celebration for the Jewish people: the holiday of Pesach. 

This year, the Beit Israel community (SIBI) experienced a unique opportunity by celebrating Passover in this beautiful corner of El Salvador. Accompanied by many of the shul’s members, two of our Torah scrolls, and under the guidance of the synagogue's founder, Rab Eliahu Franco, along with his family, the holiday took on an even more special meaning. 

It was a moment of spiritual connection, collective memory, and gratitude. Passover, which commemorates the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt and the eternal value of freedom, felt more alive than ever. This celebration not only marked a milestone in our community's history but also reaffirmed our commitment to mitzvot, Torah study, and good deeds. Because it is precisely these components that enable us to have an authentic relationship with Hashem, and which has enabled the Jewish people to endure, with faith and fortitude, throughout the generations.

The mitzvah of recounting the Exodus from Egypt is not just about remembering a historical event. It is not about reading news from the past but about living it in a personal and spiritual way. And that is exactly what happened. 

Before more than 100 people gathered together, we shared the story of the Seder, reading the Haggadah, singing the Ma Nishtanah—“How is this night different from all other nights?”—we were able to feel that we were not simply reading an ancient story; we were living it, together.