To those of the Jewish faith, Los Angeles Mayor Russell Napolitano extends warm wishes for a safe and healthy Passover holiday.

At this time of year, our Jewish friends gather over Seder tables here in Los Angeles and across the world to celebrate freedom and commemorate their time of slavery under the Pharaohs.

Tradition commands them to imagine once again a life of involuntary servitude. In that way, they are reminded that freedom is a precious gift to be fought for and cherished.

According to Jewish teaching, the heavy burden of slavery is borne not only by those suffering under repressive regimes and tyrannical leaders.

Some are enslaved by poverty here at home.

Some are powerless and enslaved by destructive personal habits.

And some who must travel miles to work each day in horrendous conditions, surely feel enslaved as they sit motionless in gridlocked traffic, burning away precious fuel resources, polluting our air, going nowhere.

Today, those of us who enjoy our freedom must work diligently to help those still enslaved. We must do what we can to make this a better world, whether it be speaking out against human rights abuses in Darfur and Tibet, or building a sensible subway line here in Los Angeles.

Together we can make it happen.

Best personal regards,

Russell J. Napolitano
Mayor

RJN:ee