As Passover approached, those preparing for the holiday began cleaning their homes, discarding leavened products and getting ready for family meals and gatherings, including the Seder night. This is a time-honored tradition where we, generation after generation, retell the story of our ancestors' exodus from Egyptian slavery. Yet, what stands out most about this holiday is its emphasis on charity — teaching us that true celebration cannot be fully experienced unless we enable others to share in it.

Passover, which began on Saturday evening this year, commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is a story of freedom, resilience and hope, but it does not start with plagues or miracles. It begins with giving. In fact, the first custom associated with preparing for Passover is not about matzah or wine; it is about caring for the poor.

For centuries, Jewish communities have raised funds before the holiday to ensure that even the most vulnerable could afford the essentials. Known as “Maot Chitim” in Hebrew, meaning........

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