Passover events on Long Island
Rabbi Berel Lerman, the executive director of the Center for Jewish Life, grinds wheat as he re-enacts a Passover Seder with his children Chana, 6, left, Benyamin, 3, and Rivkah, 8, right, at the center in Sag Harbor on April 14. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Commemorating the Israelites’ emancipation from slavery in ancient Egypt, the observance of Passover begins with a seder meal after sundown on April 22 and concludes the evening of April 30. In celebration, local synagogues, Chabad and Jewish centers observe the holiday with family-focused events.
“In observing Passover on the Jewish calendar, the emphasis is on the children with adults present as the role models to make sure there’s a Jewish tomorrow. Our Passover is open to all, no matter what background or religion,” says Rabbi Shneur Wolowik of Chabad of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst, where there will be a community seder on April 22.
Kids can also learn the importance of the holiday through crafts, song and seders.
“This time of year is a chance to explore Passover and its culture with meals, songs and stories, all to celebrate Judaism,” says Amelia Little, founder of Little Moments Little Fam, a pop-up play group in Cutchogue.
Here are seders, prayer services and more events to reflect and honor the history of Passover:
Join a community seder
Chabad of Five Towns
74 Maple Ave., Cedarhurst
Celebrate the first night of Passover with a communal, traditional seder dinner, 8 p.m. April 22. The symbolic seder includes matzo, wine, bitter herbs, hard boiled egg and charoset, a dark-colored paste made of fruits and nuts.
Cost $65, $35 ages 12 and younger; reservations required
More info chabadfivetowns.com/passover, 516-295-2478
Chabad of Brookville
1447 Cedar Swamp Rd., Brookville
Celebrate at a communal seder with traditions and the meaning of Passover, 7:30 p.m. April 22.
Cost $54, $40 ages 3-13; reservations required
More info chabadofbrookville.com, 516-626-0600
Chai Center
501 Vanderbilt Pkwy., Dix Hills
Celebrate Passover in a traditional seder meal with family and friends, 7:30 p.m. April 23. A reading of the story of Exodus will be followed by a four-course dinner.
Cost $55, $30 ages 12 and younger; reservations required
More info thechaicenter.com, 631-351-8672
For a list of more seders, visit chabadli.org.
Reflect on the past at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
100 Crescent Beach Dr., Glen Cove
The educational center focuses on the lessons of the Holocaust through exhibits, archives, artifacts and tours. Passover week hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24-26, noon to 4 p.m. April 27-28.
Cost $10 donation for adults, free for ages 12 and under
More info hmtcli.org, 516-571-8040
Celebrate Passover with songs and crafts at North Fork Reform Synagogue
27245 Main Rd., Cutchogue
The celebration features sensory play, crafts and songs about Passover with Little Moments Little Fam, 10 to 10:45 a.m. April 27.
Cost Free for all ages; reservations required
More info littlemomentslittlefam.com, 631-294-6943
Join a Mimouna celebration at The Suffolk JCC
Post Passover celebration marking the return to eating Chametz, which is forbidden throughout the week of Passover, with Rabbi Moshe Tessone and musicians presenting a musical journey through the Mediterranean Jewish communities, lavish traditional desserts and dancing at 1 p.m. May 1.
Cost $18, reservations required
More info syjcc.org, 631-462-9800
