From slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from despair to hope, these are the quintessential themes of the Passover seder, which will be observed in many Jewish households Monday evening, April 22 and Tuesday evening, April 23. Passover is the holiday which recounts the story of how the Israelites, who were slaves to Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, were redeemed by God, with the help of Moses and his brother Aaron.
During Passover, which lasts this year from sundown on April 22 to sundown on April 30, those observing will not consume products made with leaveners (like yeast), such as bread and beer, a symbol of the Jews’ hasty exodus from Egypt; they left so quickly, their bread didn’t have time to rise. The Passover seder consist of a specific meal as well as reading from a Haggadah, a traditional text that tells a story of the exodus and may be added to and revised based on what is going on in the world at the time.
This year, as members of the Jewish community celebrate Passover in Burlington, the myriad number of symbols which are part of the elaborate seder ritual have so many parallels with what is happening in the Middle East today. This year’s seder gives the Jewish community the opportunity to feel the pain of oppression and be empathetic to all those who are suffering on a whole new level.
Thanks to Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth for helping with this background!
Learn More About Passover
This list of resources will grow as community members contribute. Send recommendations to hello@burlington.buzz.
Recommended Watching and Reading
- Next Best Picture has recommended several films that address the themes of Passover, or which occur amid a backdrop of Jewish life and culture.
- Jewish Book Council has assembled a rich collection of recommendations by Jewish authors, including a love story, a book of Italy’s Jewish recipes, a retrospective on exile in literature, and much more.
In-person and online resources
- Jewish Boston has recipes, suggestions for discussing current events, and even an illustrated Haggadah for use at your seder.
- Learn more about the background of this important Jewish holiday at My Jewish Learning.
Where to Celebrate Passover in Burlington
Below are just a few events happening nearby to celebrate Passover in Burlington and nearby 2024. Let us know if you have one you’d like to add!
- Temple Shalom Emeth of Burlington will be hosting a large community seder featuring the temple’s band. Rabbi Abramson will conduct the seder using the Haggadah (order of service) which she wrote many years ago, Haggadah Get Out of This Place, featuring many parts of the seder sung to music from the 60’s.
- There was an in-person (registration has closed) and live-streamed secular seder, focused on community and social justice, via the Hellenic Center in Watertown on April 20.
Find more local events on Jewish Boston.
How do you observe Passover? What resources would help your neighbors and their children and grandchildren learn more about this holiday? Share your stories with us by emailing hello@burlington.buzz, and your story could be added to this feature!
What are you celebrating or observing? Let us know at hello@burlington.buzz!, and your story could be featured in Community Celebrations.
