From Underground Seders to Freedom

When I was growing up in Ukraine, Passover was an illegal religious holiday.

I remember it vividly: a neighbor of ours was sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in Siberia. His crime? Making matzah. The official charge was “profiteering from flour.” In reality, he was just trying to keep our tradition alive.

But we didn’t stop. My parents were buying illegal matzah. We celebrated in secret. Underground Seders, matzah, horseradish and gefilte fish made by my grandmother. My parents knew the risks — and they did it anyway. Because being Jewish, even in silence, still mattered.

Fast forward to this year: KleinLife hosted four model Seders for seniors — over 600 in attendance — and a beautiful Seder for our children. No fear. No secrecy. Just the joy of being together!

For many who came, especially Holocaust survivors and refugees, this wasn’t just a meal. It was a full-circle moment — from hiding matzah in Soviet basements to holding it high at a Seder table surrounded by friends, songs, and freedom.

Let me say it plainly: KleinLife is one of the last places in Northeast Philadelphia where Jewish life is still vibrant, visible, and alive. We’re not a cultural program. We’re not a community center. We’re a lifeline to memory, meaning, and continuity.

And we’re still telling the story of Exodus — because so many in our community are still living it.

Take a look at these pictures. They’re not just images of a holiday. They’re proof that we’re still here. Still celebrating. Still free.

As KleinLife celebrates its 50^th Anniversary, I’m thrilled to say that we are as strong and vital as we have ever been!

Have a Sweet Pesach and May We Go From Strength To Strength!

Sincerely,
Andre Krug
President & CEO