We travel every year to spend the "Sedorim" with my in laws in their house with all of their children and grandchildren.  Every year, we use that simple, yet complete Maxwell House Haggadah.  The same inferior wine is served during the Seder (we have really good wine during dinner).  The same salt water in the same containers is placed on the table.  The same seder plate sits directly in front of my father in law.  We do everything, reading every word of the Haggadah.  We sing the same tunes.  The same family jokes and stories that come out annually are once again repeated.  But this year there was a difference.
 
You see, my wife traditionally has lead the Hallel portion of the reading of the Hagaddah, but this year, my nephew took the lead.  My brother in law has traditionally lead us in the "Echad Mi Yodea" (done in English as the "Who Knows One" song) but this year, my niece helped him lead.  Each of my children and my nephews and nieces read all their parts in Hebrew and my father in law called on them to participate more than in previous years. 
 
The traditions are great, but the fact that the next generation has begun to assert their leadership and even to adapt the family traditions in ways that resonate with them is even more powerful.  I was not sad that things at our Seder have begun to change.  In fact, my response was quite the opposite.  I was proud, excited and inspired to see the next generation inserting themselves into our rich Jewish heritage. 

Perhaps a lesson for all of us in the Pittsburgh Jewish community?

Shabbat Shalom.

P.S.   Hope to see many of you on Monday night at 7:00 pm at the JCC in Squirrel Hill for the annual Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) program.  It is always very powerful and meaningful.