E v E r y t h i n g y o u a l w a y s w a n t E d t o k n o w a b o u t . . .

Passover is the holiday most celebrated by American Jews for two reasons: it is celebrated at home, and its themes are compelling — freedom from slavery and springtime renewal.

Passover commemorates the exodus of Jewish slaves from Egypt. The name Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) refers to God “passing over” the houses of the Jews when slaying the firstborn of Egypt. (The last of 10 plagues visited upon the Egyptians.)

The story of Passover is told around the dinner table annually as a way of ensuring that each generation understands the powerful events of the Exodus and their impact on forming am Yisrael “the Jewish community.” Better yet, the meal is ordered in such a way to make us feel as if we were slaves in Egypt and we have received redemption.

During Passover, Jews eat only food without chametz (food made with leaven). Just as the Hebrews left Egypt so quickly that their bread did not have time to rise, we eat matzah for seven days in an attempt to experience the Exodus from Egypt for ourselves. Prior to the holiday, Jews clean their homes of chametz.

What is Passover?

nisan 14-22, 5773 / sundown March 25-april 2, 2013

The night that is different from

all other nights...

The story of Passover is celebrated at a highly ritualized meal called the seder which means “order” in English. During the meal, a book called Haggadah which means “telling” is used. There are many kinds of Haggadot. While each Haggadah follows the basic outline of the seder, they all have their own focus, ie, traditional, vegetarian, feminist, mystical, kids etc.

The seder plate uses symbolic foods (described on the next page) to help us experience the story. We eat, hold up, explain, and sing about them.

We use a variety of modalities at the seder in order to engage and educate our children and ourselves about

the history of the Jewish people. Because the seder is experiential, children enjoy being involved and learn by

doing. We eat bitter herbs to remember our slavery, we eat a sweet apple mixture to remember the

mortar put between the bricks; we drink four glasses of grape juice or wine to honor God’s

promises, and we dip vegetables in salt water to symbolize tears.

What is a Seder?

Mon. Mar 25: Erev Passover — Closed at 6pm*Tue. Mar 26: Passover, 1st Day — Closed

Wed. Mar 27: Passover, 2nd Day — H&F open 9am-5pm**Mon. April 1: Passover, 7th Day — H&F open 9am-5pm**

Please note our holiday hours:

•Help with spring cleaning and vacuuming

•Help bring Chametz to a soup kitchen so hungry people can enjoy eating it

• “DIY Haggadah”: http://punktorah.org/make-your-own-haggadah-for-kids

•Help make salt water for dipping

•Help prepare the Seder plate

•Create a welcome sign for the front door

•Make place cards with guests’ names & decorate the table

•Learn the four questions to ask at the seder

Ideas for involving children:

Family Connections: Preparing for PassoverFor families with 0 to 3-year-olds and their siblings

Sunday, 3/17 9:30–11:30am @ JCC Preschool San Rafael

Music, art, cooking and parent education.

FrEE – rsvP to Melody at: mhorowitz@marinjcc.org

*No KidCare & No Group or Water Fitness classes after 4pm **No KidCare & No Group or Water Fitness classes

E v E r y t h i n g y o u a l w a y s w a n t E d t o k n o w a b o u t . . .

What are the tradItIonS of Passover?

What are the symbolic foods at the Seder? removing the Chametz (Bread)Before Passover all Chametz (food

made with leaven) must be removed

from the house. The Hebrews left Egypt

so quickly that the bread did not have

time to rise. Instead, they ended up with

matzah. Therefore, in remembrance of

this part of the Passover story, Jews do

not eat leavened foods during Passover.

Specifically the Bible commands that

all products made from wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats be removed from the

house. Ashkenazic tradition also prohibits

rice, peas, corn, and beans. Perhaps the

origin of “spring cleaning” can be traced

to this holiday as Jews traditionally scrub

their homes from top to bottom. At the

end of the cleaning, a ritual search for

chametz takes place.

Four cups of wine are drunk to remind us of the four times in Exodus

that God promised to redeem the Jews. A fifth cup is set for Elijah the prophet.

Z’roa, a roasted shank bone, symbolizes the paschal sacrifice. Some vegetarians substitute a beet.

Matzah, a flat bread not given the time to rise symbolizes the speed in which the Israelites fled from Egypt.

Maror, a bitter herb (often horseradish) symbolizes the

bitterness of slavery.

Baytza, an egg,

represents fertility and

spring.

Karpas, parsley, is a symbolic representation of spring.

Charoset, a mixture traditionally made with chopped apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon represents the mortar the Hebrew slaves placed between the bricks.

A Miriam’s Cup filled with water is a new addition to the Seder

table. It honors the contributions of Miriam, the Prophetess,

and of women to Jewish culture, past and present.

Matzah toffee Bark

1 c. unsalted butter1 c. light brown sugar1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips1 c. pecans – toasted & chopped5-6 unsalted plain matzahOptional: Melted white chocolate or course sea salt

Heat oven to 375ºF. Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with foil, and top foil with baking parchment paper. Line bottom of pan evenly with a single layer of matzah, breaking extra pieces to fit. In a heavy-bottom sauce pan combine the butter and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and spread mixture over matzo. Place tray in oven, and immediately reduce heat to 350º F. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with chocolate chips and pecans. Place back in oven and bake and additional 3 minutes. Let cool, then break into pieces.

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Israel MarIn in

a fun & free festival for all ages

Sunday, april 14

presented by the koret taube center for jewish peoplehood,camp kehillah & early childhood education

at the osher MarIn JCCWith support from

leslie & steve isaacs

film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological

dig • dancing • a camel • art • film • food • culture • music • games • arts &

cr afts • mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing • a camel • art • film • food •

culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing

• a camel • art • film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic

• archaeological dig • dancing • camel • art • film • food • culture • music •

games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing • camel • art •

film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological

dig • dancing • camel • art • film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts

• mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing • a camel • art • film • food • culture

• music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing • a

camel • art • film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic •

archaeological dig • dancing • a camel • art • film • food • culture • music •

games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological dig • dancing • camel • art •

film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts • mosaic • archaeological

dig • dancing • camel • art • film • food • culture • music • games • arts & cr afts

Israel MarInin

a fun & free festival for all ages

Sunday, april 14

presented by the koret taube center for jewish peoplehood,camp kehillah & early childhood education

at the osher MarIn JCCWith support from

leslie & steve isaacs

Pick up your map, and take a whirlwind tour of the culture, art, food, literature,

music, and spirit of Israel! free • All Are welcome

mArinjcc.org/isrAel

9:30-11:30amFamily

connectionsFree for families with kids up to 3-years-old

and their siblings

11:30-2:30pmisrAel in mArin

festivAlTour Israel’s top destinations

– and take a pic with Hump-free the camel!