Pasadena Passover Observances

The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.

After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, G‑d saw the people’s distress and sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message: “Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me.” But despite numerous warnings, Pharaoh refused to heed G‑d’s command. G‑d then sent upon Egypt ten devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything from their livestock to their crops.

At the stroke of midnight of 15 Nissan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), G‑d visited the last of the ten plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. While doing so, G‑d spared the Children of Israel, “passing over” their homes—hence the name of the holiday. Pharaoh’s resistance was broken, and he virtually chased his former slaves out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry, in fact, that the bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day, and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G‑d’s chosen people.

This year Passover begins on the evening of April 6 and continues through the evening of April 14. Both the Chabad of Pasadena and the Pasadena Jewish Temple will have Community Passover Seders. The first night Passover Seder will be held on April 6 at 8:00 p.m. They will also hold a second night Seder on April 7 at 8:00 p.m. Reservations for both are $40.00/adult and $25.00/child. The Chabad of Pasadena is located at 1090 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena. For more information or reservations call (626) 564-8820 or visit their website at www.chabadpasadena.com.

The Pasadena Jewish Temple is holding a community second night Seder and Service on April 7 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Reservations are $45.00/adults and $25.00/children, add an additional $5.00 for non-members. The Pasadena Jewish Temple is located at 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. For more information or reservations call (626) 798-1161 or visit their website at www.pjtc.net.