Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, begins at sunset on Saturday, April 12, 2025, and ends after nightfall on Sunday, April 20, 2025. It is celebrated for seven days in Israel and eight days by many Jews in other parts of the world.
Key Passover Rituals:
The Seder Meal: This festive meal is a central part of Passover celebrations, where families reunite to recount the exodus from Egypt.
Avoiding Chametz: Observant Jews avoid eating chametz, or leavened bread, as a reminder of the unleavened bread the Israelites ate during their hasty escape from Egypt. Instead, they eat matzo, an unleavened cracker-like bread.
What’s Different This Year?
This year, as in 2024, concerns remain due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and antisemitism. Some Seder tables will have empty seats, symbolizing the lives lost or those still held hostage from the tragic events of October 7, 2023. Security measures are heightened, with the Secure Community Network issuing warnings about potential threats from extremist groups.
Special Events:
Interfaith Seders are being held in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas to foster community resilience and interfaith unity.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles will host a special Seder for interfaith leaders and first responders affected by recent wildfires.
Chabad-Lubavitch plans a parade of “Mitzvah Tanks” through New York City to spread kindness and distribute matzo.
For those needing assistance, organizations like the Met Council have distributed free kosher-for-Passover food to over 250,000 Jewish Americans struggling with rising grocery costs.
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