Passover is a Special Time at the JCC

It should come as no surprise that Passover is one of the favorite festivals in the Jewish year, and one of the reasons is its special foods. (More on that in a moment.) But why are there special foods during Passover? Is chocolate involved? Why are certain rituals observed? What is going on at the JCC for Passover? Here are a few answers - and ideas - for celebrating the holiday.

Passover, or Pesach, begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. The name "Pesach" (PAY-sahch, with a "ch" as in the Scottish "loch") comes from the Hebrew root Pei-Samekh-Cheit, meaning "to pass through," "to pass over," to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt.

On Pesach, we have a special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday. This meal is called a "seder," from a Hebrew root word meaning "order," because there is a specific set of information that must be discussed in a specific order.*

Seders With Chocolate - YUM!

While many Jews will be celebrating Passover with a traditional Seder, the JCC is hosting two "Chocolate Seders" for teens and families.

The first one will be held Sunday, April 5, beginning at 3 p.m., when the JCC will sponsor the 2nd Annual Northeast Family Chocolate Seder at the JCC New Albany Preschool, 79 N. High St., New Albany. "This fun family feast will feature four cups of chocolate milk instead of four cups of wine," said Melanie Butter, JCC Northeast Outreach coordinator. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. RSVP to Butter at (614) 559-6233.

The second one - for teens only - will be held Wednesday, April 22, beginning at 3 p.m. in Room A-168 at Gahanna Lincoln High School, and will be hosted by the school's Culture Club.

"Passover may have just ended, but the members of the Gahanna Lincoln Culture Club will continue the celebration with the chocolate seder," said Samara Chodosh, director of the JCC's Jewish Experience for Teens program. "Teens will relive the seder meal by following 'A Chocolate Haggadah.' They will drink four glasses of chocolate milk instead of wine, recite the ten chocolate plagues and create a unique Hillel sandwich."

The Gahanna Lincoln Culture Club is sponsored by the JCC's Jewish Experiences for Teens program and the Cole Family Fund at the Columbus Jewish Foundation. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Chodosh at (614) 559-6255.

Pesach lasts for seven days (eight days outside of Israel). The first and last days of the holiday (first two and last two outside of Israel) are days on which no work is permitted.*

Spend Time With Your Family

Because no work is permitted on the first two and last two days of Pesach, the JCC will be closed on April 9-10, and April 15-16 in observance of Passover. The three JCC Preschools will be holding Passover Festival Days on April 15 and 16. Pre-registration at your child's site is required.

In addition, the JCC is holding a Passover Camp for those students in Kindergarten through 6th grade whose schools will be closed during the eight-day holiday.

Passover Camp will be held April 8, 13, 14, and 17, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended care available from 8 to 9 a.m., and 3:30 to 6 p.m. "Every day, we will have great activities, go swimming, have art projects, play games and have gym time! You'll need a Kosher for Passover dairy lunch, your swim suit and a towel. Come hang out with your friends, or make new ones during Passover Break, and don't miss a day at the J," said Cori Bloch, JCC Kaleidoscope director.

Drop off and pick up is at the Zusman Center, behind the JCC at 1125 College Ave. Cost is $45 per day for JCC members ($40 per day for Early Bird Registration on or before April 1); $55 per day for non-members; $26 per day for fulltime Kinderclub students, and $7 per hour for extended care. A sibling discount of $5 off will be applied for those registering after April 1.

To sign up or for more information, contact Bloch at (614) 559-6266.

* Information derived from Judaism 101 at www.jewfaq.org.