We are in the midst of what is, for many Americans, one of the holiest times of the year.

Our Jewish neighbors are observing Passover, which commemorates the resilience of their community in the face of Egyptian oppression thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, Christians in our communities will celebrate Easter Sunday — the occasion of Christ’s resurrection, three days after Good Friday, when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by the authorities.

While the details of these commemorations are, of course, different, both speak to a shared virtue — a virtue we believe people of all faiths can find inspiring: Perseverance.

Jewish families and Christian families both, throughout history, have confronted periods and eras of persecution — of threats of discrimination, harassment, even torture and death for living the tenets of their faiths. We believe all Americans can recognize the heroism in not surrendering what their families taught them was right and virtuous — in continuing to honor their Godly father, His commandments and His message.

He hope people in our modern times can recognize how difficult it is to even comprehend the pressure these families were under — the fear and trepidation for practicing the tenets of two faiths that have since richly contributed to American culture.

But those families overcame the climates of repression they had to endure. They taught their children the importance of humility, of compassion and kindness, of lives in service of their Biblical ideals.

As we extend wishes that everyone can enjoy their traditions surrounded by family and by love, we hope as we either observe these rich traditions ourselves or as other members of our communities do so, that we all can appreciate our country’s commitment to the First Amendment and to freedom of religion, and also appreciate the sacrifices made throughout the world by members of the Jewish and Christian faiths so that their traditions, values and virtues could continue to enlighten the world.

– Williamsport Sun Gazette