Ways To Celebrate Passover 2021 In Tempe

TEMPE, AZ — Passover, the major Jewish holiday that marks the Hebrews’ deliverance from slavery and return to Israel, has begun, with opportunities to celebrate virtually and in and near Tempe.

The Seder is the traditional meal each night of Passover, which began at sundown Saturday and will end at nightfall on Sunday, April 4. For the second year in a row, many families are turning to technology to help celebrate the dinner together due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In Tempe, celebrations include a livestreamed Erev Shabbat service with Temple Emanu-El of San Diego, held via Zoom at 7 p.m. on April 2 at Temple Emanuel of Tempe.

The Tempe temple is also hosting an Erev Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Noam Katz at 6:30 p.m. on April 9 via Zoom, and another Lay Led Erev Shabbat service via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on April 9.

To join any of Temple Emanuel of Tempe's events, visit their website.

There are also several candle lighting ceremonies throughout Passover that can be found here.

Seder meal celebrations in many communities, such as Laguna Beach, California, remain small one year into the pandemic as restaurants are promoting their to-go meals. There, Gelson’s restaurants are offering the traditional Seder fare including beef brisket, sides of matzo balls and a gefilte fish with horseradish.

Passover is celebrated over several days to mark the time God “passed over” the Israelites during the final days of the 10 plagues. Many of the country’s largest synagogues are holding Zoom Seders of their own.

Central Synagogue in New York City has a family Seder led by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal and Jeremy Sipe set for Saturday night on Zoom. The Seder will last for about an hour and include readings from the Haggadah, the Jewish text traditionally ready at a Seder, before families log off and continue the celebration at home.

The Temple Sinai reform congregation in Reno, Nevada, is among the others that will air a livestream of their Saturday night Seder.