Members of the area Jewish community are preparing to celebrate Passover.
Starting Friday at sundown and continuing through April 30, area Jewish people will celebrate the story of Exodus, according to local rabbis. The dates that mark Passover fall during the month of Nisan, which is recognized in a Judaic calendar.
The holiday holds special significance in the Newtown area, which has a larger than average Jewish population.
Passover commemorates the time when Israelites left slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. According to religious texts, the Israelites left Egypt after inflicting 10 plagues on the pharaoh who forced them into slavery.
The traditional Seder celebration is performed by a group or family at their home on the first nights of Passover. The ritual includes a retelling of the Exodus story and a dinner that includes a special menu and series of traditions, Rabbi Aaron Gaber of Congregation Brothers of Israel on Washington Crossing Road in Newtown Township said.
While families have different traditions for the Seder, Gaber said his children put on plays when they were younger but now partake in the retelling of Exodus as they’ve grown older.
Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein of Lubavitch of Bucks County on North State Street in Newtown Borough explained that matzah is eaten during Passover because Jewish people are not to eat food products where the dough has risen. According to NBCNews.com, matzah has tiny holes throughout so the bread doesn’t rise.
Gaber said the synagogue has held events at the religious school leading up to the Passover holiday.
Lubavitch of Bucks County has community Sedars planned for Friday in Newtown and Saturday in Yardley, but Weinstein said both events sold out in advance.
