Passover is the celebration of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. We retell the dramatic story of the Exodus at a Seder, a festive meal filled with rituals and meaning.

The name Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) comes from the last of the Ten Plagues, when the Angel of Death “passed over” Jewish homes while striking down the Egyptian firstborns. Brutal? Absolutely. But apparently, hail, locusts, and rivers of blood weren’t enough to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. The guy was stubborn.

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Passover is packed with delicious (and symbolic) foods! Some classics include:

🥣 Matzah ball soup – A cozy, must-have dish

🍳 Matzah brei – Think matzah meets French toast

🥘 Matzah Kugel – A baked casserole-style dish

At the Seder, you’ll also find:

Hard-boiled eggs – Symbolizing new beginnings

Green herbs dipped in saltwater – Tears of the enslaved Israelites

Horseradish – A spicy reminder of the bitterness of slavery

Charoset sandwiches – A sweet mix of apples, nuts, and wine to represent the mortar used by enslaved Israelites

And then there’s gefilte fish—an Ashkenazi classic that’s either beloved or... politely avoided. Some families also include Thanksgiving-style dishes (minus the stuffing, of course!).

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Keeping kosher for Passover means avoiding chametz (leavened foods like bread and pasta). But it’s more than just skipping bagels—many people clean their homes from top to bottom to remove every trace of chametz and stick to special Passover-friendly foods for all eight days.

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Chametz refers to any leavened food (like bread, pasta, or pastries) that’s off-limits during Passover. Observant families take this seriously—some even remove all chametz from their homes before the holiday.

For families with kids, there’s a fun (and dramatic) tradition: searching for the last crumbs of chametz in the dark using a candle. It turns cleaning into an adventure—because who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt?

Hosting?

Here's How to Lead an Epic Seder

Hosting a Seder is kind of like throwing a dinner party—with props, storytelling, and a set agenda. There’s plenty of eating, drinking, and singing, which means happy

guests (and maybe some slightly tipsy ones).

But here’s the secret: Bringing the Passover story to life matters way more than perfect matzah balls. Don’t stress—you got this! Here are some creative ways to

make your Seder memorable and fun. Hosting a Seder doesn't have to be stressful - It's all about creating a meaningful (and fun!) experience!

Get your Free Passover Haggadah from JewBelong

Kiddush (Blessing Over the Wine)
Pour your first glass of wine, lift it up, say the Kiddush, and drink—leaning to the left (because, you know, we’re fancy).

Wine is central to every Jewish celebration, from holidays to weddings. Not only is it a symbol of joy, but—let’s be honest—it also helps increase that joy. And don’t worry, this is just the beginning—there are three more cups to go!
Urchaz (Hand Washing in Preparation for the Seder)
We wash our hands twice during the Seder. The first time is a symbolic cleansing before diving into this powerful experience.

Traditional hand-washing 101:

Fill a large cup with water.
Pour it three times over your right hand.
Switch hands and repeat for the left hand.
Dry your hands and recite the blessing.

Boom! You’re officially ready for the Seder.
Karpas (Dipping a Green Vegetable in Salt Water)
Now, we dip a green vegetable (like parsley) into salt water.

The greens = Spring and renewal

The saltwater = The tears and sweat of our ancestors

Pro tip: Place several small bowls of greens and salt water around the table so no one has to wait forever to get their dipped veggies.
Yachatz (Breaking the Middle Matzah)
Time for a little drama! Grab the plate of three matzot, lift up the middle one, and break it in half.

Take the larger half, wrap it in a napkin, and hide it—this becomes the afikomen (dessert, but make it Passover).
Let the kids know: "You can’t finish the Seder without it!"
Later, an adult will steal and hide the afikomen—cue the ultimate scavenger hunt after dinner. (More on that in Step 11!)
Maggid (Telling the Story of Passover)
This is the heart of the Seder—the story of how the Jewish people went from slavery to freedom.

But let’s shake things up! Instead of just reading the story, why not act it out? Check out JewBelong’s skit: What If God Hadn’t Taken Our Ancestors Out of Egypt? Guaranteed to keep things engaging (and maybe a little hilarious).
Rachtza (Handwashing With a Blessing)
This time, we wash our hands with a blessing—but here’s the catch:
No talking between washing and eating the matzah!

Silence = respect for the mitzvah.
Motzi Matzah (Eating the Matzah)
Even though we don’t eat bread on Passover, we still say HaMotzi, the blessing over bread. Why? Because tradition!

Then, we add a special blessing for eating matzah, fulfilling the commandment of the holiday.

Maror (The Bitter Herb)
Now we grab some horseradish (aka: the spicy stuff) and put it on matzah.

Why? To remind us of the bitterness of slavery.
Why extra bowls? So no one has to wait 10 minutes to get their turn!

Take a bite—but be warned, this one might clear your sinuses.
Korech (Matzah Sandwich of Bitter Herb and Charoset)
You’ve heard of the Earl of Sandwich, but meet Hillel—the OG sandwich inventor (2,000 years before PB&J).

He combined matzah, paschal lamb, and bitter herbs to fulfill the Torah’s commandment. Today, we make a Passover sandwich with matzah, charoset, and bitter herbs instead.

Some say a blessing before eating it, but most people just build it and bite in!
Shulchan Oreich (Eating the Meal)
Time to feast!

A classic Seder meal usually starts with an egg dipped in salt water, symbolizing the cycle of life and renewal. Then, it’s on to whatever delicious Passover-approved dishes your family serves.
Tzafun (finding and Eating the Afikomen)
Remember the afikomen from Step 4? Now it’s go time!

The kids search for it.

The Seder can’t end until it’s found.

Prizes are involved (bribery works, people).

We break the afikomen into 30 pieces so every kid finds some—avoiding tears, tantrums, and sibling showdowns.
Barech/Birkat Hamazon (Grace After the Meal)
For those who went to Jewish camp, benching (aka Grace After Meals) is a throwback moment. The tune is catchy, uplifting, and a great way to wrap up the meal.

Fun fact: Benching comes from the Yiddish term bentshn, meaning "to bless."
Hallel
A Seder isn’t complete without some joyful, slightly chaotic singing. The JewBelong Haggadah includes classics like Chad Gadya and the fun, call-and-response song Echad Mi Yodea.

Prepare for spirited participation—especially if there’s leftover wine.
Nirtzah (Ending the Seder
At the end of the Seder, we say: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

Literal meaning? Maybe next year we’ll celebrate in Jerusalem—how cool would that be?

Symbolic meaning? Jerusalem represents peace, hope, and a better future—wherever that may be.

No need to turn this into a big political debate—just take a moment to reflect on freedom, community, and what truly matters.

Sweets with Purpose

Matzah with Flair. Tzedakah Never Tasted So Good!

Pre-order your handmade Passover Platter from Mindy's Munchies of Maine and a portion of proceeds will go straight to the JCA! Buy yours at the JCA from April 7 - 18 or preorder now at mindysmunchies.com - and mention the JCA at checkout!