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Learn the traditions

Understand the Passover holiday & ancient ritual, then create new ones for your family Passover is one of the most important Jewish festivals of the year, an interactive "happening" rich in symbolism and connections to unifying elements that continue to strengthen the Jewish people.

Most Jews have cherished memories of family time spent at a Seder. It is believed that the obligation to tell the story of the Exodus has been observed by Jews ever since the actual Exodus itself.

Use the Passover resources and features below to help you learn longtime Passover traditions from the meaning of the Passover Seder Plate, Passover Rituals to guiding you in exploring new ways to observe the holiday around your Seder table.

Passover Holiday Traditions
Dig a little deeper and engage your Seder table with conversation and activities. Below are links to inspire everyone from the youngest to the most seasoned Seder participant.

Passover Songs

Passover Videos

 

Tell the story

Passover's high point is the Seder. Experiencing this wonderful Jewish meal and interactive "happening" is to live through all the varied themes of the Passover festival. Most Jews have cherished memories of family time spent at a Seder. It is believed that the obligation to tell the story of the Exodus has been observed by Jews ever since Moses led the actual Exodus itself.

In Hebrew, Seder means order, and at the heart of the Seder is the Haggaddah, a Passover guidebook that spells out the order in which you and your family and friends can observe our ancient traditions and add new ones of your own.

To get you started on your holiday observances, we are pleased to offer you a simple printable Haggadah from The Jewish Federations of North America, containing the basic information needed to conduct a Passover Seder, from setting up a Seder plate to asking the Four Questions.

Haggadahs come in a wide variety of style representing many different traditions; you'll find links to ours and several additional downloadable options below.

Downloadable Haggadahs

Eat & More

Passover is a wonderfully festive time to sit with family and friends around the table, retelling the saga of the Exodus and welcoming Elijah the Prophet while eating matzah in its many, many forms.

The Seder meal can be a tasty mix of foods both traditional and new. Below, we offer written recipes, how-to videos, and passover wine suggestions to help make your Seder a special one this year.

Cook our favorite recipes

View how-to videos

Drink Passover Wine

Prepare a traditional Seder Plate

Help us deliver
a gift of hope.
Your Jewish Federation helps countless people overcome poverty, hunger and despair this Passover and throughout the year. With your help we can continue to deliver the gift of hope here at home, in Israel and around the world.

Make a difference! Your Jewish Federation helps countless people overcome poverty, hunger and despair. And we provide funding to programs that sustain Jewish identity and enrich our community. With your help there will always be a place at the table here at home.

Here are some examples of recent efforts:

 Seder Hosts Urgently Needed! 
"Let all who are hungry come and eat" reminds us to invite anyone who might otherwise be alone to join us for Seder. The JFS Share-a-Seder Program has a waiting list of people of all ages who would love to participate in a home Seder. Please click here to share your seder, or contact Coordinator Harriet Marx: hmarx@sbjf.org or 957-1116 x113. Thank you!
Deadline for guest requests
is April 14.

Passover 5071 in the Community
click each link for more information

  • Women's Miriam's Cup Seder on Tues, April 5, 5:30-8:30 pm, led by Rabbi Alyson Solomon and Judy Karin, cantor, at Congregation B'nai B'rith. $25/$15. We welcome Bat Mitzvahs to Bubbies!
  • 2 Chabad Community Seders on Mon, April 18, 7:30 pm and Tues, April 19, 8:15 pm, at Chabad of S. Barbara. Join families, friends and neighbors for an inspiring and delicious Seder; rewarding for both body and soul.
  • Passover Potluck Seder with Israeli Dancing
    Monday, April 18, 5:45 pm at Cong. B'nai B'rith. No charge and open to All!
  • Interfaith Passover Seder on Tues, April 19, 5:45-8:30 pm, at Congregation B'nai B'rith. Full Passover dinner and Hagaddah especially created to welcome Christians, Muslems, Buddhists, Hindus, and others to our table.
  • Passover with Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara on Tues, April 19, 6-8:30 pm, at Montecito Country Club. A fabulous 2nd Night Seder, kosher-style dinner, family friendly, kids' activities. RSVP by 4/12.
  • Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community, second night seder on Tues, April 19, 5:30 pm, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Los Olivos, led by Rabbi Pearl Barlev. RSVP by 4/12.
PJ Library

PJ Library for Seders with Kids!

PJ Library helps make the Passover experience relevant and accessible to your children. Check out their resources for engaging young ones in the holiday happenings here. Reading PJ Library books can be a great addition to seder night, and all nights of Passover. Don't pass over this yearly opportunity to emphasize with your children the importance of "not oppressing the stranger, because we were strangers in the land of Egypt." Sign up today!