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Passover

Ages All

Reimagine freedom. Passover invites us to reimagine what freedom must mean through storytelling, sharing meals and asking big questions about our world.

Though Passover only lasts for roughly a week, the holiday has a perpetual impact on the Jewish and universal ethical consciousness. We are taught “in every generation, each person is obligated to see themselves as if they personally went out of Egypt,” in the hope that we never “oppress the stranger, for you yourselves were once strangers in the land of Egypt.” Passover is not merely telling someone else’s story. It demands that we radically empathize and identify with those escaping dangerous and oppressive places, calling on us to liberate all people from all manners of tyranny.

Passover begins at sunset, April 12 // Observed April 12 – April 20, 2025

Passover is called by two names: Pesach and Hag Ha’Aviv. Passed over, and holiday of Spring. Pesach recounts the miraculous and history-altering liberation story of the Israelite people from Egyptian slavery. Hag ha’Aviv—the Spring Holiday—indicates the triumphant return of the agricultural season’s bounty and beauty.

Passover dietary laws eliminate chametz (leavened food) for the weeklong holiday to serve as a symbolic reminder of the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt, when they didn’t have time for their bread to rise. Refraining from chametz during Passover and participating in a festive meal (a Seder), commemorate redemption from slavery and help us connect with the themes of freedom and renewal.

Celebrate the end of Passover at our Twist of Tradition: Hand-on Challah event on April 25.

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CELEBRATE PASSOVER

Passover at the JCCSF is all about freedom celebrated through the lens of symbolic foods and shared meals. From the hundreds of us gathering together every year since 1980 for a shared First Night Seder meal to homemade matzah from Wise Sons in our homes any night, we embrace these shared experiences and reflect on our personal journeys and the societal freedoms we champion and celebrate. No matter which Haggadah we use, we recount the story of our ancestors leaving Egypt and relate to the oppressed peoples around the world today.

No Passover is complete without our old friends matzo and Manischewitz! Flip through the book below for mouthwatering spins on traditional dishes that are just too good to pass over, inspired by our Nosh on This cooking series.

A Haggadah Supplement for Reflection & Ritual

This companion piece to The Broken Seder extends its themes into your own Passover gathering. Through a reimagined Afikomen ritual, it invites participants to engage with the tension between what is broken and what can be restored. Inspired by the core symbolism of Yachatz, the breaking of the middle matzah, this supplement encourages reflection, discussion, and action, making space for both personal and communal transformation. As you turn these pages, we invite you to open not just this text, but your heart – to break, to reflect, to repair and move toward wholeness.

Well done. Made my night and brought tears to my eyes (several times).  So proud to be a part of this community.

Cristina R.

Participant

I did not even know that breakouts were possible with Zoom!  It was like talking with people at your community seder table. The photos and the graphics were excellent, Batshir led a wonderful Seder, Jonathan's music and songs were delightful and everyone worked together to make the moment whole.  And we even had singalongs over Zoom!  

Josef H.

Participant

My husband and I would like to thank you for the beautiful Seder you organized last night. It was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into creating a meaningful experience. The artwork, the music, the group choruses, the commentary – it all came together beautifully and made us feel a part of a community, which we haven't felt very much of recently. 

Phyllis G.

Participant

This is the first seder that I have attended in my pajamas! Thank you for doing this.  It’s already a memorable Passover.

Raquel B.

Participant

My Mom’s first Seder and she says, “This makes all problems seem so small.’

Valerie I.

Participant

Thank you to the entire team who made this happen. It was really wonderful to see all of us, from all over the city; people united in song, prayer and ancient tradition with such a modern flair and touch.

Vincenza G.

Participant
Children sitting on the floor having a good time and smiling at the camera
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