How to celebrate Passover in Bay Area
With its themes of freedom, resilience and community, Passover feels more relevant than ever in 2021. Beginning Saturday, March 27, and observed through the evening of April 4, the holiday celebrates the Jewish people’s liberation from enslavement and their exodus from Egypt.
One of the most popular ways to celebrate is by hosting or attending a structured meal known as a seder. Usually led by a family elder, the gathering works its way through the story of Passover with songs including the “Ma Nishtana” (the Four Questions), drinking wine, a hideandseek game for young attendees, and eating specific foods that represent important elements of the holiday.
From outdoor and online community seders to virtual performances, here are a few ways to celebrate Passover in the Bay Area this year:
Songs of Freedom: A MultiGenre Musical Celebration of Passover:
Commemorate the holiday through an online musical presentation and discussion with Osher Marin JCC director/opera aficionado James Sokol. The event is set to feature a diverse array of musical styles including Broadway, pop, opera, country and more exploring the themes of oppression and liberation.
11 a.m. Friday, March 26. Free$12.50, available online at bit.ly/3trlasX. 4154448000. marinjcc.org
A Puppet Passover with Octopretzel:
The whole family can celebrate with Jen Miriam Altman and Melita Silberstein as they lead participants across the virtual Red Sea during this online show, featuring Passover songs interspersed with an interactive telling of the Passover story in which kids are prompted to get up and move, jump like frogs, dance with scarves and play along with the band using instruments from home.
4 p.m. Friday, March 26. $20, tickets available at bit.ly/3rWdQFl. 5108480237. jcceast bay.org
Palo Alto JCC Community Outdoor Passover Seder Ceremony:
The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center invites all to an outdoor, inperson Passover seder. Seder plate essentials to share including wine and juice will be provided. Plagues will be named, stories will be told, the Four Questions will be asked
and answered, but no dinner food will be served.
4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27. $18$54, tickets available online. Freidenrich Community Park, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 6502238700. paloalto jcc.org
JCCSF’s First Night Online Passover Seder:
Journey through a virtual desert and celebrate Passover with the San Francisco JCC’s second annual Zoom seder. Along with traditional songs, storytelling and asking questions, organizers plan to incorporate new rituals for 2021. Seder meals to go are available to order in advance with curbside pickup at the JCCSF available 24 p.m. Friday, March 26.
6 p.m. Saturday, March 27. Free$70, reservations required. 4152921200. jccsf.org
Passover Seder in Place 2021: Terrapin Nation Seder and Show: This will be the second virtual seder hosted by Terrapin Nation and Deadheadland. Celebrate Passover with live music featuring Lebo, Scott Guberman, Jeannette Ferber, Jordan Feinstein, and others as well as a guided seder program. A live stream of the event will be available on the Deadheadland Facebook channel, or join the party in a more interactive Zoom setting.
58 p.m. Thursday, April 1. $18 suggested donation. Tickets available at bit.ly/ 3eRarEk. deadheadland. com
Camp Tawonga’s Passover Themed Virtual Tot Shabbat with Isaac Zones:
Join the virtual program, build community and celebrate Passover and Shabbat with lots of singing and dancing. This event is geared toward ages 6 and under and is presented in partnership with Urban Adamah and the PJ Library Bay Area.
10 a.m. Saturday, April 3. Free. Register at bit.ly /3eNZW4n. 4155432267. tawonga.org