Passover

Passover, Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, and their journey from slavery to freedom. It is the most significant of the commemorative holidays, for it celebrates the very inception of the Jewish people— the event which provided the basis for the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Passover is celebrated for either seven or eight days, depending on family and communal custom. In Israel and for most Reform Jews around the world, Passover is seven days, but for many other Jews, it is eight days,. On these days, bread or other leavened mixtures, are prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzah, may be eaten. The matzah symbolizes both the Hebrews’ suffering while in bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt. Passover is also sometimes called the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

A Haggadah is used as a guide to the entire Passover Seder. The word Haggadah comes from the same root as “to tell” in Hebrew. The Haggadah helps us retell the events of the Exodus, so that each generation may learn and remember this story that is so central to Jewish life and history. The Haggadah includes prayers, instructions, explanations, ideas for further reflection and songs. Your choice will set the tone for the Seder and there are many to choose from.

If you’re going to have a big crowd of kids, you might like a Haggadah that tells the Passover story with cartoons, the Kveller Haggadah, or brand new Haggadah that was printed by PJ LIbrary.  Our very own Rabbi Shalhevet grew up using the  Coloring Book Haggadah. She says it was a family favorite. It’s the perfect Haggadah for a young child (or restless adult).

Want a less traditional Haggadah? Try the HIAAS Haggadah, Ma’yan Haggadah, 30 Minute Seder or this website that’s full of interesting options.

Or if you’re hosting a crowd in their 20s and 30s, Jewbelong’s fun and slightly irreverent take on the holiday might be perfect.

Ready to host a Seder? 

You might find this checklist helpful to make sure you don’t forget the basics. If  you are looking to switch things up here are 10 Tips for Planning a Memorable Seder.

There are so many ways to make your Seder even more memorable. What could be more beautiful then a bouquet of flowers or a festive table?

Here’s a great story to get you started:
The Little Red Hen and The Passover Matzah

The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology tells the Passover story in a very new way …by breakdancing and the Batsheva Dance Company perform a breathtaking modern dance to a the tune of the Passover classic, Echad Mi Yodea.

This review of the Batsheva dancers gives an interesting insight into the choreagrphy:

”The repetitive sitting, standing, and shaking evokes davening in synagogue. The piles of thrown clothing suggest photographs from the Holocaust. The dancers toil through the choreography and their struggle could be read as a historical homage to the building of Israel. When the choreographer decided to change the movement, one dancer did not hear the instructions and fell as before. His error was incorporated into the dance.”