PJ Library Passover Resources

Happy Passover graphic with Israelites walking in front of pyramids and a sun (web banner)

Celebrate Passover with PJ Library and Our Partners!

Passover begins on Wednesday, April 5th (at sundown). While the answer to “mah nishtana” (why is this night different from all other nights?) has changed a bit, some things will remain the same: telling the story, reaffirming our commitment to freedom for all, sharing food and making an ancient tradition relevant for today.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and PJ Library are here to help you celebrate Passover. We will be posting resources and virtual events.

For resources and programs geared toward families with young children (ages 0-12), use this page. Community seders (virtual and in-person) are in the calendar at the bottom.

For resources and programs geared toward a general audience, please bookmark the Federation Passover page. You’ll find community seders, recipes, haggadah links, and more.

Military Mitzvah Passover Card square

Military Mitzvah Passover Card Project

Thank you to all of the families who participated in this project of PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington to share a wonderful opportunity with you to send Passover greeting cards to Jewish military members and veterans! Together, we sent 260 cards in care packages with Kosher Troops, to the homes of Jewish War Veterans, to PJ families stationed at military and diplomatic posts overseas, and to Jewish military members stationed on a joint base in Alaska!

Jump to the section  you want:

Seder Plate

Family-Friendly Passover Events

Please see each host organization’s website for details on social distancing. This list will be updated as events are posted.

The ages listed with each program are recommendations for who would most appreciate the program, but all are welcome.

Find a Community Seder

Celebrate Passover with Jews of Color and Their Families

Tuesday, April 11th | 6:30 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 Sixteenth Street NW, DC)
Free

Join us for this year’s Passover celebration! We will have a chocolate and toffee matzah bar, Passover-themed origami, a service project, and the opportunity to create community with other Jews of Color and their families! A light kosher-for-Passover dinner will also be served.

This event is brought to you in partnership with the EDCJCC, Khazbar, Mosaic Visions,Washington Hebrew Congregation’s JOC Affinity Group, and Adas Israel Congregation’s Jews of Color Affinity Group.

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Past Events

Passover in the Park—Springfield

Saturday, March 18th | 10:00 AM
Hidden Pond Nature Center (8511 Greeley Blvd, Springfield, VA)
Free

Let’s get ready for Passover. Join Tracy at the park for Passover fun!

This program is offered by the JFamily Ambassadors at the Pozez JCC, funded by Federation.

Passover in the Park—Centreville

Sunday, March 26th | 1:00 PM
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA)
Free

Let’s get ready for Passover with a story walk. Join Julie at the park for Passover fun!

This program is offered by the JFamily Ambassadors at the Pozez JCC, funded by Federation.

Campfire Seder

Sunday, March 26th | 2:30 PM
Lacey Woods Park (1200 N George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA)
Free

Join us for a mock seder by the campfire! We’ll listen to Sammy Spider’s (very short) Haggadah, talk about Passover traditions, enjoy a s’more made with chocolate covered matzah, and make our own popsicle stick puppets for the 10 plagues.

This program is offered by the JFamily Ambassadors at the Pozez JCC, funded by Federation.

Bim Bom Bag: Passover Edition

Order by March 28th

Enjoy a bag-tastic and exciting opportunity to learn about Jewish customs and holidays through arts & crafts, stories, and discussions. When you sign up, we will provide Passover themed arts & crafts activities to work on independently with your child(ren). A few days later, we will get together on Zoom to share our creative crafts, read a story, and learn cool facts about Passover.

MoCo families sign up with the Bender JCC

VA families sign up with the Pozez JCC

Shabbat Fun! – Family Service, Tot Service, and Kids Passover Activities

Saturday, April 1st | 10:00 AM
Oseh Shalom (7515 Olive Branch Way, Laurel, MD)
Free

Enjoy a musical, movement-filled family service for all ages. We’ll discuss what freedom means for us and then break up into groups for Passover activities like making your own afikomen bag. There will also be a special Tot Service for ages 0 – 5 (and their parents/caregivers) during our discussion. Weather permitting, we’ll have a picnic lunch outside so the children/tweens can enjoy our playground and gaga pit after lunch. Please bring a picnic blanket and vegetarian potluck item (nut-free). RSVP preferred to [email protected] by March 31st.

Little Passover Noshers

Sunday, April 2nd | 4:00 PM
Bender JCCGW (6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD)
$20/family

Join us virtually to learn some tried and true Passover recipes with Hanna and Danielle. Send us cooking questions in advance to [email protected] and we will do our best to get you the answers you need for and amazing Seder and Passover! Recipes will be provided in advance.

This program is offered by the JFamily Ambassadors at the Pozez JCC and Edlavitch DCJCC, funded by Federation.

Passover Cooking, Macaroons to Matzo Balls (Virtual)

Sunday, April 2nd | 3:00 PM
Zoom

Join the Bender JCC in a party for your taste buds even your littlest ones will love. Especially because food will be handed out by one of your favorite furry cookie-loving monsters! We’ll also learn fun Passover facts, create crafts, and enjoy PJ Library storytime. In partnership with Good Deeds Week, we will be collecting fruit for Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) Meals on Wheels.

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Passover Resources

 

Some Haggadot* you can try:

* Haggadah means “the telling,” and is the Jewish book used to guide the seder. The plural is Haggadot.

Resources for interfaith families about Passover and Easter:

Articles specifically about celebrating Passover during the pandemic:

Craft Ideas

matzah drawing

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Family-Friendly Passover Experiences Cosponsored by PJ Library in Greater Washington

Pride Parade 2022

March with the Jewish Community at the Capital Pride Parade 2023

Saturday, June 10, 2023 | 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible
Volunteers in rainbow shirts at the Pride Festival

DC Capital Pride Festival 2023

Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Farmers Market Sing-a-Longs and Playdates

Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Wheelchair Accessible

WHC Juneteenth Shabbat

Friday, June 16, 2023 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Wheelchair Accessible
Tara Hoot and puppet photo

Drag Queen Storytime and Havdalah for Young Families!

Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Oseh Shalom Family Picnic at the Columbia Festival of the Arts

Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Shabbat Picnic Dinner

Friday, June 23, 2023 | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible
Nate the Great illustration of a boy detective and his dog

PJ Play Date: Nate the Great

Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible