Pesach

passover books, parsley, matzah

Pesach is an eight-day spring holiday that celebrates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The Pesach story comes from the first half of the Book of Exodus in the Bible. In those pages we read of the Jewish people’s plight under slavery in Egypt, and their subsequent escape to freedom.

For more information about Pesach, including recipes, book lists, activities, and more, check out the sections below:

THE PESACH STORY

Because there is explicit suffering and death in the Pesach narrative, it is not an easy story to tell. You can find a child-friendly version linked below.

The Pesach Story for Kids Ages 6+

For centuries, families have used a book called the Haggadah, to tell the story of Pesach and pass down the traditions and lessons of the story to their children, relatives, and friends. The word haggadah literally means “telling.” Families everywhere add their own personal touches to make the script of the haggadah their own.

5 Short & Sweet Kid-Friendly Haggadahs

Scroll down to find activity ideas for getting kids involved during the seder.

KIDS AND THE SEDER

family at table

The main ritual of Pesach is the seder, a carefully choreographed meal held on the first two evenings of the holiday. The seder is designed to provoke questions from children and to provide an opportunity for telling the story of how the Israelites were redeemed from slavery and given the gift of the Torah.

Here are some great ways to involve kids during the seder:

5 Ideas for a Child-Friendly Seder
Acting It Out: An Awesome Kid-Friendly Seder Idea
Getting Kids Involved During Pesach
Planning a Child-Friendly Seder
Printable Paper Pesach Scene