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Passover

A Holiday Rich in Tradition

By Tamar Weiss

Passover is the Jewish holiday commemorating and celebrating the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery to freedom. It is customary to celebrate Passover with a Seder meal on the first night (and in the Diaspora on the first two nights) of the week. The Seder meal is a time when small or extended families come together to enjoy the age-old heritage of recounting the story of the Jews' ascent from bondage, to life as a free and unified nation. As any family with a large range of ages can relate, keeping everyone involved in even a short weekday meal is a task, but when custom dictates a long, traditional meal, the challenge is that much greater. Multiply this with the preparations that go into organizing a Seder and you've got your hands full. Luckily, the content of the traditional Seder prayer book -- known as the Haggadah -- is loaded with pedagogical tools to keep children and family of all ages involved in the order of the night.

If your family is conducting a Seder for the first time, you may want to contact your local Jewish community center or Habad house, where Passover activities are probably already underway. This is a good way to accumulate some information on the holiday, and to involve your kids in some activities that will get them geared for the fun and good food they are about to experience. Some families may already have special Seder prayer books that hold sentimental value or are family heirlooms. It is a good idea for each participant in the Seder to have a Haggadah he or she can follow along in, which will keep individual interest sparked. For younger children this may mean a book prepared by hand at school, or a colorful book with lots of pictures, hand-picked at the book store. Adults may prefer prayer books with thorough and captivating explanations of the Seder and its rituals. This type of Haggadah is especially helpful for those conducting the Seder.

Want to see more?

• Share your favorite Passover recipe at the Recipe Share Board.
• The Art of Family Dinners