TAMPA, Fla. — Passover is a major Jewish holiday occurring every spring that celebrates the Biblical story of the Jewish people leaving Egypt and escaping slavery.
It begins at sundown on Monday and ends at sundown on April 30.
What is Passover?
The holiday is called Passover because the Jewish people believe that God spared the children in Israel by “passing over” their homes while all the Egyptian firstborns died on the last day of the 10 plagues.
The Jewish people believed God brought the plagues upon the Egyptians until they agreed to free the Jewish People who were led by Moses.
What traditions are there?
The eight-day holiday begins with the seder which is a dinner on the first two nights. Seder is a 15-step tradition including eating matzah, bitter herbs, drinking four cups of wine or grape juice and reciting the Haggadah, which is the retelling of the Exodus from Egypt.
Matzah is unleavened bread eaten to commemorate what the Israelites ate when they left Egypt.
During Passover, Jewish people avoid food or drinks with any wheat, barley, rye or oats such as bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pasta and some alcoholic beverages. Those foods are known as chametz meaning leavened grain.
The first two days are also no-work-allowed holiday days.
Where can I celebrate Passover near me?
Chabad of Brandon and South Shore: 11412 McCullen Road, Riverview
Public seder on Monday at 7:15 p.m. Adults cost $55 and children cost $25.
Passover Service on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Chabad of Clearwater: 4010 Park Street North, St. Petersburg
The community seder is full, but people can join a waitlist by calling 727-265-2770.
Last day of Passover dinner on April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Chabad of Pinellas County: 3696 Fisher Road, Palm Harbor
Morning service on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Chabad Jewish Centre at Wiregrass: 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle, Wesley Chapel
Holiday services on Tuesday, Wednesday, April 29 and 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch: 5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton
Passover interactive seder on Monday at 7:45 p.m. Adults cost $65 and children cost $45.
Holiday services on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Temple New Jerusalem: East Lake Woodlands Country Club in Oldsmar
Passover seder on Monday at 6 p.m. Adults cost $40, children cost $20 and children under 4 are free.
Feather Sound Church: 13880 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater
Passover seder on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Adults cost $20 and children cost $10.
Passover at the Collection: The Collection on Palmetto in Clearwater
Children can tour the museum and hear the Passover story and do crafts for $10 at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
You can also use this search from Chabad.org to find services near you.
