By David Crary, national writer of Associated Press
Passover is a great Jewish party, celebrated more than seven or eight days each year, commemorating the exodus of the ancient Israelites of slavery in Egypt, as the Bible tells. It is considered to be the most widely observed in any Jewish party, symbolizing the freedom and the birth of a Jewish nation.
This year, celebrations occur again among the anxieties and divisions among many Jews linked to the conflict of Israel-Hamas not resolved in Gaza and the specter of generalized anti-Semitism.
When is Passover this year?
Passover – known as Pesach in Hebrew – begins at sunset on Saturday April 12 and ends after nightfall on Sunday April 20. By tradition, he will be celebrated for seven days in Israel and for eight days by certain Jews in the rest of the world.
What are the key rituals and traditions of Passover?
For many Jews, Passover is the time to find the family and tell the exodus of Egypt during a meal called the Seder. Observer Jews avoid various grains known as Chametz, a reminder of bread without sourdoughs that the Israelites ate when they fled Egypt quickly without time for the dough to rise. The cookie -shaped matzo is correct to eat; Most breads, pasta, cereals, cakes and cookies are prohibited.
What is different this year?
A year ago, for many Jews, any mood of celebration was suffocated by the dozens of hostages captured by Hamas in Israel and held in Gaza. Many Seder tables, in Israel and elsewhere, had empty seats, representing those killed or taken hostage on October 7, 2023.
Even after the recent release of certain hostages, others remain held. The hopes of a formal end of the conflict were attenuated by the collapse of a ceasefire and the resumption of the fighting.
As was the case last year, there is also an intense concern in certain countries concerning a high level of anti -Semitic incidents.
In the United States, more than 10,000 anti-Semitic incidents were reported between October 7, 2023 and September 24, 2024-the most recorded by the anti-division league.
The secure community network, which provides security and security resources to hundreds of Jewish organizations and institutions in North America, has issued frequent opinions before Passover.
More specifically, the group warned against the possible threats of white extremist groups, including certain organizations along the border of the United States-Canada. SCN said the main extremist birthdays, including Hitler’s birthday on April 20, coincide with the holidays, which raises concerns about the risk of violence targeting Jewish communities.
A notable change this year: the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that disrupted many university campuses in the spring of 2024 were less disruptive, partly due to the pressure of the Trump administration.
“Since January, there has been a change marked in the gravity with which hatred on the campus is treated by the federal government when they have set clear consequences for the previous inaction of university leaders,” said Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice-president of the Orthodox union.
However, some Jewish leaders were dismayed by the threats of the Trump administration and the limits of funding for universities, it considered too tolerant of anti -Semitism.
“None of this concerns the fight against anti -Semitism,” said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, in an article on social networks. “It is a question of avoiding our education and democracy establishments under the guise of fighting anti -Semitism. And that ultimately makes the Jews less safe. ”
What special events take place?
The Jewish Federation of the Grand Los Angeles and the City’s tolerance museum host a special Seder for interconfessional leaders and community members directly affected by recent forest fires. The organizers invited various first stakeholders, civic leaders and elected officials, seeking to honor “the spirit of community resilience and the lasting force of unity”.
The fires have destroyed or damaged dozens of worship and other denominational installations.
Interconfessional seders have been organized in many other cities, including Houston, Dallas, New York, Phoenix and Milwaukee.
“We understand that now more than ever, Jewish communities in North America must open their doors to make stronger friendships,” said Rabbi Joshua Stanton, associate vice-president of the Jewish federations of interfarity and intergroup initiatives.
The MET COUNCIL based in New York, a Jewish non-profit organization operating various anti-pale programs, said that it has delivered kosher foods for free assassination to more than 250,000 Jewish Americans overwhelmed by arrow grocery costs. The packages, distributed on 185 New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida sites, included traditional essential elements of Passover such as Matzo, kosher chicken, Gefilte fish, tuna and grape juice.
Chabad-Loubavitch, a Hassidic Global Jewish organization, plans a parade of more than 100 converted VR called “Mitzvah” in the streets of New York. The goal, says Chabad, is “to spread the kindness and celebrate the Jewish heritage”, as well as the distribution of traditional Matzo.
The coverage of the Associated Press Religion receives support thanks to the collaboration of the AP with the conversation in the United States, with the financing of Lilly Endowment Inc. AP is solely responsible for this content.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
