Programs supported by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County are working to make Passover a highlight in our community as we continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic. Passover, celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, begins April 15 and continues to April 23. Our partner agencies celebrated in a variety of ways.

JFS Volunteer Teams Delivered Passover Seder Meals and Groceries to over 250 Client Households in Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Highland Beach

On April 3, volunteer teams helped prepare our neighbors to celebrate Passover by delivering Passover groceries (meals provided by JARC Florida) to Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (JFS) senior services client households in the Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach areas.

Deliveries included Seder meals, which could be eaten during a virtual “model seder” conducted by students from Donna Klein Jewish Academy that took place later Sunday afternoon. In addition to the seder meals, deliveries included a box of matza, a Passover Haggadah, and handmade greeting cards created by hundreds of area families, wishing JFS clients a happy Passover.

Over the next two weeks, over 600 clients of the Jacobson Family Food Pantry at JFS will receive Passover packages that will include Passover staples like: matzah, potato pancake mix, matzo ball mix, chicken broth, gefilte fish and more.

“Once again, we are overwhelmingly grateful to the many volunteers who will help deliver Passover packages so that our seniors will not be forgotten. Without the generosity of our community, the holiday of Passover would not be as enjoyable as we spend another year celebrating separately. The pandemic has shown us how deeply our community cares for each other, and I see the trend continuing as we begin to transition out of this difficult time,” said Danielle Hartman, JFS President and Chief Executive Officer.

Passover celebrations touched every segment of the community

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County was a proud supporter of the many Passover celebrations that touched every segment of the community.

Friendship House and YACHAD – Passover Fair On April 6, YACHAD and Friendship House joined forces to get into the holiday spirit of Passover. This celebration included Passover arts and crafts, pizza dinner, and a mini circus show.

Jewish Recovery Center – Sober Seder will be held on Friday, April 15. This sober Passover Seder will take place at the Jewish Recovery Center. For individuals in recovery, Passover is especially sweet as they spiritually gather for the Seder to celebrate freedom from the bondage of addiction disorders. JRC will provide Seder kits to those not able to attend while in treatment. Admission is free and you can RSVP at jewishrecovery.com.

PJ Library® in South Palm Beach County – Throughout the month of April, PJ Library® will be hosting a few different opportunities for families to become involved and learn about Passover. PJ Library is hosting their monthly virtual Grandparent Shabbat for families on April 29th. There will also be a Passover Family Movie Night for Russian Speaking Jewish Families.

The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center is helping to teach the story of Passover to our community’s youngest members and children and teens with special needs. The Levis JCC Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department’s Paul Markhoff Otzar Sunday School program offers children and teens with special needs who are in grades K-12 opportunities to learn about Jewish life and culture, Israel, and Jewish holidays. In the sessions leading up to Passover, students will create a Seder plate craft project and learn traditions for the Passover holiday, Passover songs, and basic elements of the Seder, including the Four Questions. Otzar teacher Miss Andi will share the Passover story with her students using props, songs, and games. The Levis JCC Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center will welcome our preschool families to join us on the playground to celebrate Passover! Music Specialist Miss Ilene, along with our Early Childhood Directors, will lead our classes in music and song while sharing the story of Passover and the symbolism of the holiday. Children will participate in model Seders and enjoy traditional Passover foods. In the weeks before the holiday, our classrooms have been busy preparing! The children have been enjoying various activities, including cooking, learning the “order” of the Seder, singing, and creating Passover-themed artwork. Our Threes and PreK classes participated in PJ Library’s River Walk. During this interactive storytelling experience, Miss Stacey and Miss Adele reenacted the story of Passover using props to engage the children.