ELLENVILLE – This year, the Jewish holiday of Passover, or Festival of Liberation, begins at sunset on Monday, April 14 and lasts till nightfall of Tuesday, April 22. Each year, Passover comes in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar, but in the Jewish calendar it always begins on the 15th day of Nissan.

The eight-day celebration of Passover includes the observance of rituals that recreate the experience of liberation from slavery in Egypt through the miraculous interventions of God.

The short version of the familiar Old Testament story goes like this: After 210 years of cruel bondage, suffered by the children of Israel in Egypt, God called Moses and sent him as his ambassador to the Pharaoh. Moses brought divine warnings, signs and wonders, and a stern command to the Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. However the Pharaoh refused to listen, and a series of ten plagues, escalating in their severity, was visited upon the Egyptian people.

The tenth and final plague finally overcame the Pharaoh's resistance. It entailed the death of all the firstborn children in the land, including the firstborn of the animals. Only the Israelites were spared this devastation. They followed the detailed instructions of their God, which included a shared meal of roast lamb, and the Angel of Death "passed over" their homes.

Afterwards, they left their homes in such a hurry that the bread they had baked as provisions for the journey did not have time to rise. "You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread," said the God of Israel, "for on this very day, I brought your ranks out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day throughout the ages as an institution for all times."

For the eight days of the observance of Passover, today's religious Jews do not eat, or even retain in their possession, any form of leavened bread, or any food or drink that contains even a trace of grains that may have undergone leavening or fermentation. This prohibition includes almost any processed food or drink.

To prepare for Passover, and to rid homes and places of worship of any proscribed food item, can be an intensive process. For the truly observant, it is a full-out spring cleaning search-and-destroy mission during the weeks leading up to the celebration.

The highlight of Passover is the Seder, observed on the first two nights. This family or community centered dinner is a 15-step tradition in the form of a ritual-packed feast. It begins with a Kiddush, or a blessing recited over a cup of wine that expresses the sanctity of the occasion. It involves the eating of Matzah, or unleavened bread, and the reciting of the Haggadah, a liturgy that recounts in detail the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

According to Rabbi JJ Hecht of the Congregation Ezrath Israel in Ellenville, the celebration of the Seder also involves the sharing of any miracles that anyone has experienced during the year. The trouble is, he reflected, that all too often miracles are not recognized for what they are. Perhaps someone had a car accident where the car was totaled, but they were hardly hurt, or perhaps a friend or stranger comes along at just the right moment with some needed help or encouragement. The more miracles like these are recognized, and gratefully acknowledged as such, the more miracles God will send to us in our lives.

The Passover Seder also involves, of course, the sharing of delicious foods and traditional songs of praise. It is a spiritual occasion, but also quite festive and enjoyable. Rabbi JJ is confident that anyone new to the experience will be able to follow along with the 15 steps of ritual observances... and also have a good time. He invites people from any religious background to experience this authentic age-old tradition for themselves.

There will be two celebrations of the Seder at the Congregation Ezrath Israel, located at 31 Center Street in Ellenville: one on Monday, April 14, and one on Tuesday, April 15. Please call Rabbi JJ at 347-930-1420, or email him at [email protected] for more information or to make reservations. Or ask around for private Seders, which often add in other elements about liberation, including examples from recent civil rights battles.

If you meet Rabbi JJ, though, be sure to ask him about his recent visit to Sochi during the Winter Olympics. He served as chaplain in charge of various makeshift synagogues around the area. He reported that it was inspiring to meet tourists and athletes, from all over the world and of all faiths, who were open and accepting. A deep feeling of unity, goodwill and excitement was generated by all.

When this kind of atmosphere becomes more and more prevalent in our world, it will be a miracle indeed.