Passover – March 31 – April 7
Passover or Pesach, the Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread (Matzah) commemorates the departure of the Israelites from Egypt.
Passover is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home. It is a "festival of Freedom" to remind Jews of how God released their ancestors from slavery and brought them to freedom in a Promised Land. Passover begins at sundown on March 30th.
Passover is celebrated by more Jews than any other holiday on the Jewish calendar - perhaps because it is so essentially and uniquely a family holiday. The Seder (SAY-der) -- the traditional meal held on the first night of this eight day holiday -- is often attended by complete extended families. In Canada, many families also have a Seder on the second night. Also, because charity and community are such important elements of the holiday, it is common for families to invite to their seder people who, for whatever reason, are not able to have one of their own.
Wishing our families celebrating Passover a lovely celebration with friends and family!
