This evening marks the beginning of Passover for Jewish communities around the world. The holiday commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

This evening marks the beginning of Passover for Jewish communities around the world. The holiday commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

It is traditional for Jewish families to have seder dinners during Passover – each of the six foods in a seder dinner has a symbolic meaning that hearkens back to the Exodus story.

Did you know? In nineteenth century America, the Exodus story of the Jews’ life in slavery and escape from it resounded with abolitionists and enslaved Black Americans. Harriet Tubman was even dubbed “Moses” by the escapees she guided out of slavery and “Go Down, Moses” was a popular Black spiritual.

Passover, Mathilde Hahn Meyer, c. late 19th/early 20th century

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer