Pesach, or Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (unleavened bread). On the eve of the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, we read from a book called the hagaddah, meaning "telling," which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings and songs for the Pesach seder. The Pesach seder is the only ritual meal in the Jewish calendar year for which such an order is prescribed, hence its name.

The seder has a number of scriptural bases. Exodus 12:3-11 describes the meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs which the Israelites ate just prior to the Exodus. In addition, three separate passages in Exodus (12:26-7, 13:8, 13:14) and one in Deuteronomy (6:20-21) enunciate the duty of the parents to tell the story of the Exodus to their children. The seder plate contains various symbolic foods referred to in the seder itself.

Learn about preparing for Pesach from Rabbi Beth and Rabbi Jonathan, including tips on preparing the house, permitted and forbidden foods and two recipes for charoset. View the PDF.

Join us for the Pesach Festival Service on Tuesday, March 30 at 10:30 AM.

The Yizkor Pesach Service is Monday, April 5 at 10:30 AM.

We want to make sure that everyone in our TBA community has the opportunity to perform the mitzvah of participating in a Passover Seder. If you need a place to go or are willing to host guests, please let us know as soon as possible. We will try our best to meet your needs, though we unfortunately cannot guarantee it.

For more information, contact Program Director Alysa Rosen, 206-525-0915.

See a list of Community Seders in the JT News.

See the Woody Allen classic "Love and Death" on Saturday, April 3 at 7 PM at Beth Am. Enjoy beverages and desserts.

$4 per person. Please RSVP by email or call the Temple office, 206-525-0915.

Through a partnership with Jewish Family Service, Temple Beth Am is hosting a Passover Seder in Russian for Non-English Speaking Immigrants. The Seder will be at Temple Beth Am on Thursday, April 1 at 6 PM. Join us for a musical celebration of Passover and traditional kosher Ashkenazi Seder meal.

Reservations required by March 23, space is limited. RSVP to Irina Vorona at JFS, (425) 643-2221. Free, children and grandchildren are welcome.

Monday, April 5, 6:30-8:30 PM
Meet at Veraci Pizza in Ballard to celebrate the end of Passover with tasty food, new friends and great drinks.
Please RSVP to Program Director Alysa Rosen if you can join us. Learn more about YABA (Young Adults at Beth Am).