Laurel: To a celebration of faith. Across the region and around the world, Passover is being celebrated. The commemoration of the end of Hebrew slavery in Egypt connects the Jewish people with their faith and their history.
The holiday has a poignant feeling this year amid the Israel-Hamas war — and as protests like the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Pittsburgh create tension.
“Our message is to celebrate who we are. We’ve come a long way for thousands of years, and it commemorates the creation of a Jewish nation. We have to celebrate that, and in difficult times it’s very important to remember who we are and stand up for who we are,” said Rabbi Yaier Lehrer of Adat Shalom of Indiana Township.
Antisemitism in America has been on the rise, with a 360% increase since the Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent response in October. It is important to remember that opposition to Israel’s actions does not and should never equal antisemitism — especially during this holy time.
Chag pesach sameach. Happy Passover.
Lance: To staying home. We tried to tell you. We encouraged you to participate. But did you listen? Not enough.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvanians went to the polls for the primary election. It’s a critical year with more than just the top-ticket presidential race or the U.S. Senate seat on the table. There were still state row offices to consider. Every state and federal House of Representatives seat is in play as well as a hefty number of state Senate positions.
And yet the area saw the lowest voter turnout since 2012.
Democracy is a muscle that grows stronger only when exercised. Without participating, it is easier to stop participating. Without engaging, we cease to believe our engagement makes a difference. That can’t be allowed to happen.
Get involved and vote every single time. If nothing else, it earns you the ability to complain about the people who got into office.
Lance: To keeping quiet. Did Kennywood keep the closing of the Steel Curtain roller coaster under wraps until the last minute to prevent a downturn in season ticket sales?
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A lawsuit filed in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas says just that. Joshua Miller of New Kensington is suing the amusement park over its decision to announce the closing just before the park opened for the year.
Does Miller have a case? That’s for a judge to decide.
But plenty of things are legal and yet still ethically gray. Whether Miller is right about it being a deliberate decision remains to be seen. However, there were doubtless season tickets purchased with the expectation all of the attractions would be open for the season. Kennywood could have made it clear sooner that wasn’t likely — especially given the Steel Curtain’s history of being shut down regularly since its opening in 2019.