Passover

people sitting at a Passover table

Passover is the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in North America. What makes Passover appealing to so many of us? Is it the fact that Passover is a home-based holiday, which offers an opportunity for family and friends to gather around the seder table, recalling past memories and creating new ones? Or is it that the core themes of slavery and liberation still resonate so deeply within us that we want to retell the story of Passover again and again each year? From our elaborate holiday preparations through the seder rituals and beyond, the timeless Jewish traditions of Passover have been transformed and enhanced by feminist contributions to Jewish ritual. Seder tables around the world feature new interpretations and practices that give life to the ancient, resonant themes of this powerful holiday. A rich palate of creative readings enlivens the ancient text of the haggadah. The orange on the seder plate, once solely a symbol of gay and lesbian liberation, is now often used to highlight the role of women in Jewish life as well. Miriam’s cup joins Elijah’s on our seder tables, reminding us of the importance of women’s leadership and initiative, of the power of song and dance, and of the living waters that—in Miriam’s honor—sustained us in our desert wanderings.

Latest Rituals

“This is the season of freedom: / Of freedom from the will of tyrants, / Of freedom from the bondage of self”

Passover seder elements: matzah, wine, nuts, tulips, lettuce, egg, and a Hebrew book on a green background.

Humanist maror and karpas blessings

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Humanist matzah blessing

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Kiddush: Humanist liturgy

A silver kiddush cup with a blue design beside a folded dark blue cloth on a table.

A poem interpreting verses from Pslam 135

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Passover seder supplement that highlights the struggles of refugees

On MLK Day

A poem on tending to a sick a baby at the hospital during Passover

metal spoon

Questions to generate discussion on Passover, for both kids and adults

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A poem mourning Miriam

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Fun rituals for the entire family for Passover!

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