Obama to Jews: Chag sameach!

President Barack Obama wished Jews worldwide a happy Passover on Thursday in advance of the upcoming holiday.

The exodus, the president said, is as relevant today as ever before, and to both Jews and non-Jews alike. Obama referred to the Passover renewal of Jewish faith that “Liberty will ultimately prevail over tyranny” despite hardship, discrimination, and oppression.

Obama invoked core Jewish and American concepts in discussing the Passover themes of bondage, freedom, and thanksgiving. Figuring out how best to utilize God-given freedom, he said, “has deepened the Jewish people’s commitment to repairing the world, and inspired American Jews to help make our union more perfect.”

The president said he will be proudly partaking in the “special tradition” of the Passover seder at the White House Friday night with Jewish staff members, and that he looks forward to some matzo ball soup.