Passover

This year, Passover begins at sundown on April 15 and ends at sundown on April 23.

Pesach: Hebrew name means “Passover”, reference to Exodus 12:23 when the Angel of Death passed over the Israelites. What’s it about? Passover celebrates God liberating the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The holiday lasts eight days, though some communities may celebrate only a week. Foods: Traditionally, bread and leavened food are not eaten on Passover. Matzah, an unleavened bread, is substituted. Many food traditions spring from this, include matzah balls, gefilte fish and sponge cake. Other popular foods are cookies and cakes made out of nuts, like macaroons. Activities: A ritual holiday meal called a seder where the story of the Exodus from Egypt is retold. This is a major holiday, for which work would not be done at the beginning and end of the holiday, but people would work in the middle. Symbols: Matzah, lambs (because of the historical Passover sacrifice), eggs, horseradish root, salt water. Greeting: “Happy Pesach” or “Happy Passover.”