Passover (Pesach) 5785
Celebrate Passover, our Festival of Freedom, with Rockdale!
Sichat Torah (Torah Study)
Saturday, April 19
9:30am
Shabbat & Seventh Day of Passover
Service with Yizkor
followed by luncheon
Saturday, April 19
10:30am
Passover Resources
Passover 5785 will take place Saturday evening, April 12 - Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. Its name refers to the passage in the Book of Exodus (12:11) when God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague. Passover is one of three pilgrimage festivals, along with Sukkot and Shavuot. It is traditional on Passover to only eat unleavened food. Many rid their entire house of chametz (food that is not kosher for Passover). We begin our observance of Passover with a seder (ritual meal with a special “order”) – or two! During the seder, participants ask questions about Passover and freedom, recount the story of the Exodus, sing, and pray, all while drinking four cups of wine and enjoying special foods.
Scroll down for great Passover information, how-tos, activities, mitzvah opportunities, music videos, recipes, and more!
Special Resources for Passover 5785
"This Broken Matzah" - collection of offerings (Bayit)
Seder Interrupted: A Post-October 7 Hagaddah Supplement (Dr. Ora Horn Prouser & Rabbi Menachem Creditor)
In Every Generation: A Haggadah Supplement for 5784 (Hartman Institute)
Dayeinu for Passover 5784 (Cantor Evan Kent)
Let Our People Go - prompts and questions to remember and honor hostages (Sari Kapitnikoff)
How will we talk about the elephant in the room this year? (Rabbi Amy Eilberg)
WRJ Supplement - violence against women (WRJ, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch)
PREPARING A SEDER
What goes on the Seder Plate? (video)
Ten Great Discussion Questions for your Seder Table
Four Questions for the Whole Family
11 Resources for the Best Seder Ever
How to Survive a Seder with Kids
The Passover Seder: What to Expect
HAGGADAH RESOURCES
Haggadah Resources from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
American Reform Zionist Association Haggadah Supplement
T’ruah’s “Other Side of the Sea” Haggadah
B’nai B’rith “Englighten America” Reading
Chocolate Moses Resources (combating trafficking and slavery)
BLESSINGS
Practice Reading & Singing the Four Questions!
Learn More, View or Print the Four Questions
Festival Kiddush & Shehecheyanu (text and mp3s)
PASSOVER LEARNING FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
NEW! URJ Passover Activities E-Book
I Left with Moses – Interactive Experience
Shalom Sesame: Khalikidan’s Passover Seder
Shalom Sesame: Moroccan Mimuna
LEARNING FOR ADULTS
This Year – More than Four Questions
Webinar: Torah Alive with Rabbi Mark Washofsky
Pardes Companion to the Haggadah
The Melodies of the Four Questions: Mah Nishtanah Tunes for Passover
Explore Passover at ReformJudaism.org
ACTIVITIES & VIDEOS FOR CHILDREN
The Passover Shaboom! Special: What’s Different About Tonight?
Shalom Sesame: It’s Passover, Grover!
ShirLaLa Pesach (Kids’ Passover Songs)
The Story of Passover for Young Children
Shalom Sesame Passover Playlist
Moses and the Passover Story – the Kids' Version
PASSOVER MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES
RAC Modern Plagues and Opportunities for Action
Advocate for Racial Justice at your Seder
Donate Food to the JFS Heldman Family Food Pantry
Donate to American Jewish World Service
CELEBRATE WITH MUSIC!
The Maccabeats – Les Miserables: Passover
The Maccabeats – Dayeinu Mashup
The Maccabeats – Justin Bieber Passover Mashup
What do you know about Passover Music?
Where to Find Songs for Your Passover Seder
RECIPES
Ashkenazi Apple Walnut Charoset
Fri, March 21 2025
21 Adar 5785