Passover 2024, a journey from slavery to liberation

Passover in the United States: family games, food, and traditions. In the United States, Jewish families and communities celebrate Passover with a traditional Seder meal. This meal is usually held in the evening on the first and second nights of Passover. It consists of several symbolic dishes such as matzo, bitter herbs, charoset (a paste made from apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine), and a roasted shank bone or zeroah. The food served during the Seder is further augmented to include gefilte fish, brisket, or roast chicken, red beets, or borscht soup, chopped liver pate, kugel (noodle pudding), tzimmes (sweet stewed carrots), and various desserts. As part of the Seder ritual, four cups of wine are consumed, and readings from the Haggadah (a book of prayers and rituals) are performed, and it ends with singing traditional holiday songs. In addition to the Seder meal, Jewish families in the United States often hold Passover-themed activities such as searching for hidden matzo (afikomen), playing family games, and exchanging gifts. Hosts typically decorate their homes for this special occasion with Passover decorations, which include handcrafted items made from paper or fabric. In addition, there are events outside, like lectures and Passover-themed concerts.

Passover in Morocco: eating seffa and singing traditional songs. In Morocco, Passover is an important tradition, although there are a few differences in how it's celebrated compared to other countries. On Passover, Moroccans eat a special dish called seffa that consists of vermicelli noodles or couscous served with fried almonds, meat, raisins, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. After dinner, family members will sing traditional songs, such as "Bivhilu Yatzanu MiMitzrayim" and recite prayers that are unique to Moroccan Jewish culture. Passover in Morocco also involves decorating homes with symbolic objects that remind people of their freedom from slavery in Egypt, like paintings depicting Moses and other figures from the Bible. As part of the Passover ritual, families may also light candles and hold special ceremonies in their homes.

Passover in India and the Bene Israel community. In India, although the vast majority of the population adheres to Hinduism, Judaism is practiced too by some minorities known as the Bene Israel community from Mumbai, Bene Ephraim, Cochin Jews, or the Baghdadi Jews. One of the main interesting traditions observed in India during the holiday is a special prayer service called Malida (also known as Seder Eliyahu Hanavi), something traditional for the Bene Israel community. It’s not only performed during Passover but also at weddings, birthdays, or bar-mitzvahs, which includes reciting psalms, lighting candles, and eating a sweet mixture made from rice, dry fruits, and coconut, also called Malida, which is offered before ceremonies and rituals. It’s a symbol that celebrates and gives thanks to Prophet Eliyahu. To prepare for Passover, families often clean their homes and perform other traditional rituals. This may include singing songs or exchanging gifts with each other as a sign of joy and gratitude for the holiday season. These activities help to create a sense of unity among family members and serve to commemorate the liberation of Jews from slavery. To prepare for Passover, families often clean their homes and perform other traditional rituals. This may include singing songs or exchanging gifts with each other as a sign of joy and gratitude for the holiday season. These activities help to create a sense of unity among family members and serve to commemorate the liberation of Jews from slavery.

Passover in Argentina: a Latin touch for an ancient tradition. Argentina has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, so Passover is an important event in the country. For them, food is one of the most important parts of the holiday. During Pesach, they eat special dishes like traditional empanadas filled with hard-boiled eggs, spinach, and mashed potatoes. They also have brisket (a cut of meat from the lower chest of veal or beef) and a soup of chicken and gefilte fish with matzo balls. While celebrating Passover, families often gather together, commemorating with joyous music and prayers. Community events are also held to celebrate the holiday, like special services led by local Rabbis. In addition, many families also take this opportunity to decorate their homes with items related to the festival, such as images of the Plagues of Egypt.