By Dana Toppel in San Diego
Passover is around the corner, and I’ve been thinking about what this holiday means to me, my family, and our community.
During the Seder, we tell the story of the journey from slavery to freedom in a way that asks us to feel it, not just remember it. That balance is one of the reasons the Seder has always resonated so deeply with me. It reflects how I try to live each day—choosing empathy, meaning, dignity, and community, even in the midst of struggle.
Passover reminds us freedom does not come easily. It’s something we move toward—through purpose, through connection, and through the belief that change is still possible, even when the path forward isn’t clear.
I feel this challenge both as a parent and as CEO of Jewish Family Service. At home, my 14-year-old talks about how he’s grateful to always have enough healthy food to eat (and yes, plenty of junk food too). At the same time, he wonders why some of his classmates don’t. His questions and concern stay with me.
At JFS, we see these realities every day.
A couple of months ago, I met an older woman who came to our Lieber’s Corner Market for the first time. She had spent her life caring for others as a nurse, and rising costs had quietly pushed her into the impossible situation of choosing between groceries and other essentials. You could see her hesitation when she first arrived. She was carrying more than the hunger of an empty pantry, she carried the weight of asking for help.
She shared with me that over time, her perspective shifted. She kept coming back to JFS for food and, also, for connection and community. When I saw her earlier this week, she told me that she had her grandchildren over for a simple dinner for the first time in a long time. “It felt like home again,” she said.
That is our work at JFS.
Addressing food insecurity is only part of it. We’re restoring dignity, creating connection, and making space for moments of joy.
Passover reminds us that becoming free isn’t only about what we leave behind. It’s about what we move toward—and the empathy we carry with us, for ourselves and for those around us.
A place to belong. What we need, within reach. Feeling whole. A way forward.
At JFS, we’re honored to walk alongside thousands of individuals and families on their journey each year.
As you celebrate Passover with friends and family, I hope you find moments of meaning, connection, and joy. May we continue this work together, bringing more light, dignity, and hope into the world.
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Dana Toppel is CEO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego