Passover comes directlyfrom the Torah, andcommemorates the story ofthe ancient Hebrews’ Exodusfrom slavery in Egypt.Because they had to leave ina hurry, they didn’t havetime for their bread to rise.That’s why matzah, a flat,cracker-like food, is one ofthe main symbols of theholiday, and an importantfood eaten during the week.

It is also why some peoplechoose not to eat any“chametz” or leavened bread—anything that uses araising agent, like yeast—forthe duration of the holiday.

The Hebrew name, Pesach,means “passing over.” It refersto the sacrifice of a lambwhose blood was put on the doors of the Hebrewhouseholds to guard againstthe Angel of Death—who waskilling all Egyptian firstborns inthe 10th plague. The Angel was“passing over” the Israelitehouseholds with lamb’s bloodon the doors, and sparingthem.

Passover takes place in Marchor April and lasts seven oreight days, depending on afamily’s tradition. Like allJewish holidays, it starts atsundown. Themes of theholiday include freedom,springtime, recognizing thesacrifices of our ancestors andpassing our values on to thenext generation.

Passover is a holiday that is mainly celebratedat home. As a major Jewish holiday, it canrequire more of us to celebrate than otherholidays. It’s also an opportunity to host aseder meal that reflects interfaith couples andfamilies in all our diversity. We can choose orcreate a Haggadah (holiday book) that speaksto us and serve foods that reflect our family.

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INTRODUCTIONOR I GI N S OF P A S S OV E RPASSOVER

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In the days and even weeks leading up to Passover,some people clean out their houses thoroughly, likea religiously-inspired spring cleaning. Some peopletry to get rid of all their leavened foods, includingbread, pasta, many cereals and even beer, andsome have a separate set of dishes used only onPassover. Others may clean as a symbolic gestureand store their leavened foods out of sight duringthe holiday.

The night before the first seder, there’s an old ritualsome families enjoy to search the house forleavened foods using a candle and a feather. Somepeople create a bread scavenger hunt with theirkids, which is the first of many parts of the holidaydesigned to keep children interested.

LEARNHOW DO WE PREP

THE NIGHT BEFORE

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There’s also a short prayer that translates roughlyas, “Even if I didn’t find all the leavened foods, bysaying these words, I’m nullifying their existence.”The tradition understands that no matter how hardyou try, no one’s perfect.

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TAKE NOTEPASSOVER

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One reading at the beginning of the seder says, “All who are hungry, letthem come and eat.” It serves as both an encouragement to help feedthose who are hungry in our communities and an invitation to fill yourseder table with guests. Friends and relatives of all backgrounds and religions are welcome at seder tables.

The particular story of liberation is a Jewish one, but its universalthemes can foster cross-cultural conversations and provideopportunities to learn about our family and friends’ unique stories.

The seder table is full of ritual foods and ritual objects. A traditionalseder plate holds six special foods that are referenced throughout theseder:

Karpas (a spring vegetable, often parsley or celery)Maror (bitter herbs, usually horseradish) A roasted hard-boiled eggAnother bitter vegetable (like romaine lettuce)Charoset (a mixture of fruit and nuts that symbolizes mortar)A shank bone (though many vegetarians use a roasted beet)

Some people also add an orange to symbolize all who feelmarginalized within the Jewish community. An artichoke has morerecently been added for interfaith families. There are many othermodern additions that may be added to a seder plate to represent theuniqueness of their different families and experiences.

The table also has three matzot (plural of matzah) stacked on top ofeach other, bowls of salt water, and a kiddush cup (wine glass) foreach person, plus a glass of wine for the prophet Elijah and a glass ofwater for the prophet Miriam.

As you may already be aware, theoverlap that often occurs withPassover and Easter can make

holiday meals (and other things!)tricky for those keeping kosher for

Passover (abstaining fromleavened foods). Look for tips and

advice about navigating thisholiday time at 18Doors.org

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INVITING GUESTSTRADITIONS

RITUAL ITEMS

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Photo: Samantha Ferraro

The central part of the Passover celebration is theseder, a ritual meal typically held on the first and

sometimes the second night of the holiday. “Seder”means order in Hebrew, and many follow the 15 steps

of the seder consecutively.

A “Haggadah” is a special book that takesparticipants through the steps of the seder, and there are many different versions: for families,

for vegetarians, even for fans of certain movies or TV shows!

There are also websites like Haggadot.com to designyour own Haggadah. You can add artwork, prayers,

poetry or songs to fit a seder theme and your family’svibe. Some popular additions include African-

American spirituals, family immigration stories andlists of contemporary plagues to our society.

The longest part of the seder is called “Maggid,”

which means storytelling. It includes the story of theExodus as well as the story of the ancient rabbistelling the story. (Many stories within a story!)

There are also four glasses of wine or grape juiceblessed and drunk at specific points in the seder,

and songs sung at the very end.

A major theme of the holiday is to teach thestory of the Exodus to the next generation.

Arguably the most important thing you can doto engage them is to get a Haggadah that’s

meant for kids. At the beginning of the seder,the youngest child is invited to ask the Four

Questions, which starts with, “Why is this nightdifferent from all other nights?”

Children are also intrigued by dipping fingersin wine or grape juice during the recitation ofthe 10 plagues (toys, masks or finger puppets

can make the plagues more fun andinteractive). A favorite kid-friendly activitycomes after dinner with the search for the

Afikomen: a broken piece of matzah (whosename comes from the Greek for dessert) which

an adult hides during the seder. Children areencouraged to search for it and then return it

to the seder leader in exchange for a prize.

THE GOOD STUFFT H E S E D E R

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W H A T A R E T H E K I D S D OI N G?

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Photo: Peace Love Light

The seder ritual itself is designed tospark curiosity (remember those Four

Questions?). One sign of our freedom isthe ability to ask questions. Any and all

questions are encouraged at seders!Some families keep candy on hand toreward kids for their questions, while

others may set up games or prompts tomake sure everyone’s questions and

opinions are voiced.

Beyond the ritual foods on the seder plate, anotherseder step is shulchan orech, a festive meal. Anydishes that feel festive and do not contain leavenedproducts are appropriate to serve for dinner. Somepopular choices in Ashkenazi families—those fromEastern Europe—may include matzah ball soup,gefilte fish (fish cakes), brisket and tzimmes(stewed fruit and vegetables).

Sephardi families—those with roots in Spain and theMiddle East—may serve lamb, rice or legumes, andoften use lemons, leeks, artichokes and dates whencooking.

You can find lots of unique and multiculturalPassover recipes on 18Doors.org. If you’re observingthe Passover diet beyond the seder, simple meals ofvegetables and proteins help carry the spirit of theholiday throughout the week without overloading onmatzah.

What is and is not kosher for Passover is always abig question. We break it down on our website, buttwo good rules to follow: Don’t eat anything withyeast that could rise and when in doubt, look for thekosher for Passover symbol on the label.

QUESTIONS WELCOMERITUALS

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THE BIG MEALLETS EAT

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