March 8, 1978

Dear Sophie, 

It is Friday night and we are all sitting down for Shabbat. You do not understand now but this ritual every week on Friday at sunset to Saturday at sundown. During this time Sophie it is important to follow the faith. It is your job to light candles to ward off the darkness and bring in the Divine. This time will allow you to pray, read, and refresh for the week with family.
Passover is coming up and is the most important of holidays for our faith. The Bible’s book of Exodus tells of the flight of Jewish people from slavery which is how this holiday came to be celebrated. Moses led the Jews to the Promise land to begin a life without persecution. "And you shall tell it to your son on that day, saying, 'Because of this God did for us when He took me out of Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8). These days of prayer last for eight days.  The most important part of the Passover holiday is the Seder, which serves as a religious service and a meal. Foods, which we will make together until I am not able to cook anymore, include, matzoh(unleavened bread may not be eaten during the 8 days of passover), haroset(copped nuts and apples with some wine), karpas(a vegetable dipped in salt water and eaten), maros(bitter herbs), a hard boiled egg and roasted lamb. You may not understand why we are serving these foods now but I will tell you the meaning one day. This is a special holiday as you know because you required to ask four questions at the end of each passover seder. These questions are answered by your father and I from the book of  Haggadah. One day you will answer your children's questions during the Passover. I hope that you take this holiday to heart because your ancestors were once persecuted and this holiday celebrated their freedom. That is all I have to teach you for now dear Sophie.

Love always, Mama