This month, we will all celebrate the Passover holiday, which marks our exodus from slavery to freedom.  When we all gather together at the festive Passover Seder, where we will fulfill the commandment of passing down the Passover story to the next generation, describing to them the miracle of the exodus from Egypt.

This upcoming Passover holiday provides us with the opportunity to gather together to discuss the history and heritage of the Jewish People, to ensure that we preserve the lessons of the Hagada, namely helping others in need, abolishing any expression of xenophobia or persecution of minorities and behaving with respect toward our fellow man.

Over the holiday period, our youth is invited to take part in our unique activities, including open social nights, cultural and musical performances, and nature hikes.  Moreover, our young children can participate in the Avivit Passover camp at the Batei Hatalmid, offering a variety of great activities in the fields of sports, art, etc.

This month, Raanana will hold its traditional marathon.  This is the largest and most colorful marathon in Israel, in its 21st year, with thousands of runners of all ages taking part in three competitive heats.  This year, we have made some changes and the routes will pass through our main street, Ahuza, and other streets in the city center, including Borochov and Hahistadrut.  I invite you all to join me and the thousands of runners for this enjoyable, professional and challenging sports event.

On the 8th of March, the world will celebrate the International Women’s Day.  For the first time, we in Raanana will hold the Raanana Women’s Festival and I am proud of this important initiative, which will serve as a wonderful platform for female creativity and activity in the community and society.  The festival is in the spirit of our philosophy, whereby there is an inevitable link between helping advance the younger generation and creating real equality for women in society.  We will continue to help women advance and increase their impact on and involvement in the life of the city and the community.

My best wishes for a Happy and Kosher Passover and I wish our children a happy vacation.

Nahum Hofree
Mayor