Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is a significant Jewish celebration held annually to commemorate the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage, as chronicled in the Bible. It stands as the most universally observed Jewish holiday, embodying themes of freedom and the emergence of Jewish nationhood.
This year, the observance unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing unrest and schisms within the Jewish community, primarily driven by the unresolved hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, coupled with a concerning surge in antisemitism.
Passover festivities begin at sunset on Saturday, April 12, extending until after nightfall on Sunday, April 20. Customarily, the holiday stretches for seven days in Israel, while some Jews around the globe mark it for eight days.
A central Passover tradition is the Seder, a meal where family members gather to retell the exodus story. During this period, observant Jews abstain from grains known as chametz, a reminder of the unleavened bread the Israelites consumed during their swift departure from Egypt. Matzo is permitted, while most leavened foods like bread, pasta, and cookies are avoided.
This year’s Passover reflections come amid poignant remnants from last year, where celebration was overshadowed by the kidnapping of hostages by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Despite recent releases, numerous hostages remain, with hopes for peace hindered by a failed ceasefire and resumed conflicts.
Concerns persist in certain regions regarding high incidents of antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League reported over 10,000 antisemitic occurrences in the United States between October 2023 and September 2024, marking a record high. The Secure Community Network, offering safety resources to Jewish institutions across North America, has issued warnings of potential threats from extremist groups, particularly noting the timing of these threats around Passover and notable anniversaries such as Hitler’s birthday on April 20.
Unlike last year, pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses in spring 2024 have been less frequent and less disruptive, attributed partly to pressures from the Trump administration. This shift marks a change in how federal authorities are addressing campus hate, as noted by Rabbi Moshe Hauer.
Some Jewish leaders express discontent with political interventions that threaten university funding over perceived tolerance of antisemitism. This concern is echoed by Amy Spitalnick of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, who critiques these measures as undermining education and democracy without effectively safeguarding Jewish communities.
Special events during Passover include an interfaith Seder hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Museum of Tolerance to acknowledge community resilience after recent wildfires. This event welcomes interfaith figures like first responders and civic leaders.
Similar interfaith Seders are arranged in cities such as Houston, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, and Milwaukee, emphasizing the importance of Jewish communities fostering stronger bonds.
Additionally, the Met Council in New York is providing kosher-for-Passover food packages to over 250,000 Jewish Americans facing economic challenges. These packages, distributed across several states, feature essential Passover items like matzo, kosher chicken, and grape juice.
The Chabad-Lubavitch organization is set to lead a parade with more than 100 “Mitzvah Tanks” in New York City to spread kindness and celebrate Jewish traditions by distributing traditional matzo.