Passover 2022: Celebrate freedom and renewal with seders and more in the Bay Area – SF Chronicle Datebook

Matzo, bread made without leavening, is the staple Passover food. Photo: Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

The weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover begins at sundown on Friday, April 15, and is observed through Saturday, April 23. The main festivities are focused around a theatrical feast for family and friends, which encourages taking liberties with drinking wine and relaxing at the table.

Stories of the Jewish peoples liberation from enslavement and their exodus from ancient Egypt are related through discussion, song and food-based rituals. It is, at heart, a celebration of the basic right for all to be free and it honors human resilience in times of unexpected and difficult circumstances.

Heres how the holiday is typically observed:

In the weeks leading up to the holiday, many people get ready for the celebration by undergoing a deep spring cleaning. Most important in this particular bit of tidying up is the removal of all leavened grains, known as hametz, from the house. It is customary to pile up all the rogue crumbs and bready bits from the pantry that are not suitable to donate and nullify their leavened state by (safely) burning them up outside in the yard.

The festive, long-form, structured meal for family, friends and allies called a seder (which in Hebrew translates to order) is the main focus of the Passover celebration. Though it is most often held on the first and second nights of the holiday, many families enjoy attending and hosting them throughout the week. The idea that there is room for all at the table is an important value in Jewish households, and this is especially notable during Passover.

Traditionally led by a family elder, the food-, drink- and ritual-filled gatherings follow a printed program special to the occasion called a Haggadah. The guidebook can be made fresh every year or handed down from past generations celebrations, but all should follow a basic flow of events. The nonprofit website haggadot.com offers free online templates and inspiration to help hosts create a Haggadah that serves the unique dynamics of their group.

The seder typically includes a handwashing ritual, candle lighting, drinking plenty of wine or juice, dipping parsley (representing renewal and spring) into saltwater (symbolizing the tears of enslaved ancestors) before eating it, and breaking and hiding a piece of matzo, the afikomen, which the children search for later in the evening.

When the Jews reclaimed their freedom and left Egypt, it is said they left in such a rush that they had no time for bread dough to rise before their departure. Instead, the unleavened dough was hastily cooked and thus remained flat. During the entire week of Passover, only unleavened bread is supposed to be eaten in honor of this quickly assembled staple food.

Matzo is featured during the seder meal, eaten alone and also topped with chopped up bitter herbs (usually horseradish) known as maror, representing the bitterness of enslavement. The cracker-like bread is also eaten during the meal accompanied by a sweet mixture, often made of chopped apples with honey and raisins, called haroseth, which symbolizes the mortar used by those enslaved to hold stacked bricks together.

Whether you are planning to host your own, or are thinking of attending a local community seder in the Bay Area, 2022 is a good year to celebrate Passover and its meditation on the spirit of liberation and renewal.

Join Tkiya Musics Carla Friend on an interactive musical journey through the story of Passover. There will be craft activities, books to explore and snacks for nibbling.

10-noon a.m. Sunday, April 10. Free, registration required. Stow Lake Picnic Area in Golden Gate Park, S.F. 415-292-1200. jccsf.org

Join Jeni Clancy of Jewish Baby Network, and Rabbi Katie Mizrahi from Or Shalom Jewish Community, to celebrate the holiday with a kid-friendly event including songs, craft activities, dancing and socializing. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Masks are required for participants 2 and older.

10:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 10. Free, registration required. Mothers Meadow, 573 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.F. jewishbabynetwork.org

Join Jennifer Altman of Jewish Baby Network for a fun morning of socializing, singing, puppets and parachute play withyour baby or toddler. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Masks are required for participants 2 and older.

10:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 10. Free, registration required. Willard Park, 2730 Hillegass Ave., Berkeley. jewishbabynetwork.org

A holiday celebration with Rabbi Batshir Torchio. Dine on traditional Pesach fare, sing songs and experience the richness of Passover and the spring season.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. $10, vaccination proof and registration required. SFJCC, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. jccsf.org

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra violinists Noah Strick and Maxine Nemerovski, violist Anthony Martin, cellist Paul Hale, and bassist Farley Pearce plan to perform works by Handel, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and others in a program based around the Passover themes of exodus, redemption, freedom and renewal.

1-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. Free, registration required. SFJCC, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. philharmonia.org

A chocolate-themed Passover seder, designed for students in seventh through ninth grade, combines the traditional celebration of Passover with the fun of a chocolate-themed version for each part of the event. A real, non-chocolate dinner will also be served.

5:45-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Vaccination proof and registration required. Congregation Rodef Sholom Courtyard, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 415-479-3441. rodefsholom.org

Not feeling up to doing all the cooking for the seder yourself? Wise Sons deli plans to offer online ordering of seder plates and supper foods that will be available for pickup at scheduled pop-up locations around the Bay Area throughout the holiday. You can also combine a Wise Sons lunch date with a visit to the Contemporary Jewish Museum, where Wise Sons runs the on-site cafe.

10 a.m. Thursday, April 14. Through 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23. At various Bay Area locations. See online schedule for pickup details. 415-787-3354. wisesonsdeli.com

The virtual film festival seeks to engage viewers with themes of Passover featured in films. For 10 nights, watch a diverse selection of Israeli movies. Check out conversations with the filmmakers as well as companion essays and activities to enrich your festival experience.

10 a.m. Thursday, April 14. Through 2:45 p.m. Sunday, April 24. $18-$20, registration required. Discount from the JCC East Bay available by entering the code jcceb2022 during checkout. Online event. 510-848-0237. jcceastbay.org

Pass the matzo and join a first-night seder with San Franciscos Rabbi Batshir Torchio and song leader Jonathan Bayer, for an evening dinner and celebration including song and stories. Vegetarian, gluten-free and childrens meal options are available.

6-9:30 p.m. Friday, April 15. $44-$79, vaccination proof and registration required. SFJCC, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. jccsf.org

Celebrate with a special Passover dinner out provided by chefs Michael Dellar and Mark Dommen, who take their inspiration from a combined love of the elevated Jewish deli cuisine of both Los Angeles and Manhattan.

Reservations available for in-restaurant dining Fridays and Saturdays from April 15 to 23. $29.50-$59, reservations required. 11 a.m-8 p.m. April 15-23 for to-go orders. Mark n Mikes inside of One Market Restaurant, 1 Market St., S.F. 415-777-5577. onemarket.com

The Berkeley old-school deli is offering to-go seder foods, as well as dine-in options for Passover this year. Make a reservation, bring a Haggadah and your guests, and leave the cooking to them.

5-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 15-16 for dining-in. Reservations required. To-go orders available 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, April 15-Saturday, April 23. Sauls Restaurant and Deli, 1475 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-848-3354. saulsdeli.com

Everyone is welcome to reserve a spot at a public seder, featuring a kosher Passover buffet dinner and wine. Journey through the program with traditional songs, stories and spiritual insight.

5-7 p.m. Friday, April 15. $20, vaccination proof and registration required. Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 650- 223-8700. paloaltojcc.org

All are welcome to enjoy a seder with handmade matzo, wine and dinner hosted in a heated outdoor courtyard.

7-11 p.m. Friday, April 15. $36-$75, registration required. San Francisco Mint, 88 Fifth St., S.F. chabadsf.org

Celebrate with Congregation Chevra Thilim at a first night seder with gourmet Passover cuisine, warm company, Haggadah reading, insight and live music.

7 p.m. Friday, April 15. $30-$180, reservations required. Congregation Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave., S.F. 415-752-2866. sfshul.org

Join a seder with East Bay community on either the first or second night.

7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 15-16. $36-$72, registration required. 510-859-8808. jewishemeryville.com

Join Rabbi Menachem and Adina Landa for a seder bringing to life the story of the Exodus through Kabbalistic insights and mystical teachings. Using an English-friendly, artistic Haggadah, everyone can feel welcome.

7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 15. $40-$50, registration required. Chabad of Novato, 695 De Long Ave., Novato. 415-878-6770. jewishnovato.com

Join the ritualistic feast that encompasses observances of the Passover festival through telling the story of the Exodus, eating matzo, bitter herbs, drinking wine, and other symbolic foods and music to commemorate liberation from slavery.

7:30 p.m. Friday, April 15. $20-$50, registration required. Chabad Jewish Center, 2461 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 707-577-0277. jewishsonoma.com

Families are invited to a Passover-friendly picnic. Enjoy the musical stylings of Cantor Luck, Cantor Attie and Eric Shoen, along with a Passover story from Rabbi Jonathan Singer. Coloring pages for children will be provided.

10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 16. Registration required. 11th Avenue Meadow (near Mountain Lake Park), S.F. 415-751-2535. emanuelsf.org

The San Rafael congregations seder is back in person and will be hosted by Rabbi Stacy Friedman and Rabbi Elana Rosen Brown.

5-7 p.m. Saturday, April 16. $55-$75, registration required. Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. rodefsholom.org

Celebrate in person with Rabbi Jessica Graf and Cantor Toby Glaser at a family-oriented seder. The event also serves as a fundraiser for Chicken Soupers and HaMotzi programs, which feed homebound seniors, those in need of healing and residents of local shelters.

6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 16. $20-$50, registration required. Sherith Israel, 266 California St., S.F. 415-346-1720. sherithisrael.org

Music in the Afternoon presents a concert of Sephardic music featuring the Aquila Trio. The Bay Area ensemble includes include vocalist Phoebe Rosquist; Shira Kammen, vielle/medieval harp/voice; and percussionist Peter Maund.

1 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. $20, vaccination proof and reservations required. Live-stream ticket option available. Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 650-223-8700. paloaltojcc.org

Celebrate poetry, the return of spring and the holiday of freedom. Learn why love poetry from the Bibles Song of Songs is often read during Passover celebrations with UC Berkeley Professor Robert Alter. The scholar plans to recite selections from his 2018 translation of the work. Marin Poetry Center members will also read complementary modern poetic works. Gather before the readings for honeyed mead and snacks in the outdoor courtyard.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. Free, registration required. Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. marinjcc.org

A special evening with Rabbi Jonathan Singer featuring a screening of The Frisco Kid, starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, Passover desserts, wine and soft drinks.

7-10 p.m. April 20. Registration required. Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 415-751-2535. emanuelsf.org

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Passover 2022: Celebrate freedom and renewal with seders and more in the Bay Area - SF Chronicle Datebook