Passover celebrations set to begin next week at Temple Beth Israel

MARYLAND- Preparations are underway at the Temple Beth Israel in Salisbury ahead of Monday’s Passover celebration.

The holiday is one of the most significant in the Jewish faith and honors the expulsion of the Jewish People from Egypt. Hence the Matzah and other unleavened items, as the holiday celebrates the quick fashion of the expulsion and their inability to break bread that rose with yeast, says temple Board Member Andrew Karten.

Karten says the temple is stocked up with Matzoh gefilte fish and other staples ahead of the holiday.

The center says it’s a time for the community from across Delmarva to come together and honor the occasion, as its one of the largest-scale religious events for the temple.

“We get to see folks we have not seen for a long time, we have the Seder which means order because we do things in an order, and we will have two services including one on Monday at six,” Karten said.

However, with the war in the Middle East, this year’s celebration may be more somber, as families grapple with hostages, who remain trapped in Gaza.

“A lot of families, when they have Seders at home, will put an extra chair around the table to symbolize that people are missing from being able to participate with their families during this particular holiday,” Karten said.

The center is also highlighting their holocaust memorial essay contest for local Wicomico High School students, ahead of their annual remembrance day on May 5th.