From staff reports
Chabad Greater Hilton Head will distribute hundreds of packages of handmade Shmurah Matzah And Passover Handbooks this year to assist the Lowcountry Jews to participate in the upcoming Passover holiday. The Matzahs can be requested at www.jewishhiltonhead.org/matzah.
Passover, celebrated this year from Saturday evening, April 12 until after nightfall on Sunday, April 20, commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt in 1313 BCE. Directed by God to leave Egypt hastily, the people of Israel could not wait for their dough to rise, and thus ate unleavened crackers called “Matzah.”
Round, kneaded and shaped by hand, present day “Shmurah” Matzahs (lit. watched Matzahs) are similar to those eaten by the Jews when leaving Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. From the moment the wheat is harvested, the ingredients are carefully watched to ensure that they do not become leavened, which would be prohibited on Passover.
Few Jewish holidays evoke the same warm sentiments as Passover. Bringing the warmth and tradition of this festival to the Lowcountry community, Chabad Greater Hilton Head is inviting all Jewish residents to participate in community seders to be held on Saturday night, April 12, and again on Sunday night, April 13. Location is to be provided upon RSVP.
“Passover is not simply a celebration of the historic liberation of an ancient people,” said Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Greater Hilton Head “Passover is about our own personal liberation – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Passover inspires us to break free from the shackles restraining us from reaching new heights – in our lives, relationships and connection with God.”
All Jews are welcome to join the community seder, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background. Reservations can be made online at www.jewishhiltonhead.org/seder.
Chabad of Greater Hilton Head offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Chabad Greater Hilton Head at 843 301 1819 or visit online at www.jewishhiltonhead.org
