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Passover

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September 2015

“ROBERT!” I shouted into the phone “The closest Starbucks is 37 minutes away!” It was my first day living in Western Massachusetts and I was appalled! How was I, the queen of the Dirty Chai Latte, going to make it through the entire 10 months of Photography School without a Starbucks right around the corner. Starbucks was my go-to, my happy place. It was consistently delicious and always overpriced. What was I going to do!?

“Well, is there any other cafes around?” Rob asked as I paced around my new bedroom.

“Only Dunkin Donuts and I refuse to settle for Dunkin!” I explained. I was seriously in awe. I knew it was a small town. I knew there wasn’t going to be a ton around, but how was I going to survive without my Starbucks Coffee!

I was 23 years old and it was the first time I lived above the Mavis Dixon line in America. As much as I hate to admit it, it was a culture shock. The highways were different. The stores were different. Even the way people drank their coffee was different! It was the first time I actually understood what “America Runs on Dunkin” meant and I didn’t know exactly how I felt about it. As I babbled on the phone to Robert, I realized, I had two options. (1) Get on the Dunkin Bandwagon and get use to asking for a large coffee with X amount of sugar packets in it, or (2) become a tea drinker… I became a tea drinker.

Passover 2019

I don’t think I have ever seen a cup of coffee brewed or poured in the Pachino Family House. So, it didn’t even phase me when Robert and I arrived in Baltimore for Passover and there was absolutely no coffee in the house. Five years ago, I would have been horrified! I would have done everything in my power to make sure there was at least two cups of coffee waiting for me in the morning. Now, thank you to those crazy 10 months in New England, I have grown. I no longer need a cup of coffee to get through the day. Now coffee is a pleasure instead of a necessity. Now, I can go weeks, even months, without a cup of coffee and I have to tell you guys, I have never felt so great and fresh!

As Robert and I stopped for his coffee on the way back from Baltimore, I couldn’t help but think back on the first day I lived in Western Massachusetts. It is amazing how much one adapts and evolves over time. It is amazing how much one can grow. A

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“All the kids are staying up as late as they can before they pass out.” Shana, my sister, WhatsApped me. I laughed when I read the message. There is nothing like staying up for Passover Seder when you are a kid. Drinking what feels like galloons of grape juice, smelling the bitter horseradish but not eating it, singing the dozens of songs we practiced and showing off the beautiful Hagadot (Seder Books) that we spent hours creating in school. It was our night to shine and I loved every second of it.

As I think about Akiva and Shmuel belting out the “Four Questions” on the top of their lungs, with their younger siblings trying to keep up and my sister and brother-in-law smiling,  I can’t help but feel an immense warmth and sense of pride. I find the whole Passover ordeal charming.  Don’t get me wrong, I know it is a lot of work. I know the cleaning can be overwhelming, the cooking can be challenging and the long nights can be exhausting. Yet, there is nothing like sitting around the Seder table, asking the same questions as every Jewish generation that came before us and eating the same Matzah as all the Jewish generations that will be coming after us.

Passover, in its essence, is a holiday for the children. It is here to teach the next generation our heritage. Teach them about the exodus of Egypt, the strength of the Jewish people and our ability to overcome obstacles. I never fully understood the power of this holiday until I witnessed my oldest niece, Shira’s, first Seder. The twinkle of pride in her eyes as she sang her songs, the happiness that washed over her face every time she answered a question correctly and the smile that shined through as she showed us the projects she made in school, finally made me see the incredible importance of this holiday. There is nothing like watching the next generation fall in love with your heritage and your traditions the way you did once upon a time.

This year, all the little ones will be in Israel (as they should be) but that doesn’t make Passover any less special. This year, Robert will be coming home with me. We will be surrounded by family and close friends, tradition and tons of wine. I couldn’t be more excited to share my favorite holiday with my favorite human. I could not be more excited to sit down and keep the Jewish Tradition alive for yet, another year.

Work With Yael

My mission is to not only craft images, but really celebrate the unique spirit of Jewish love. I'm here to honor our culture, capture the magic of your love, create family heirlooms for your future and do it all with a whole lot of heart and soul.