As the sun sets tonight, Jewish families around the world will begin observing Passover, a seven-day festival that commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The evening is marked by special meals known as Seders, where families gather to retell the story of freedom, share symbolic foods, and reflect on faith and history. For Rachel Silverstro of Steinbach and her family, the evening holds both deep meaning and a strong sense of connection. What to expect at a Seder At the heart of Passover is the Seder supper, a structured and symbolic meal filled with tradition. Silvestro explains that the Seder is much more than just dinner. “It’s the evening meal that is the big celebration of the Passover,” she says. “When you read in the Bible about the Last Supper, that’s actually the Passover Seder happening. So when Jesus is talking about the cup and the bread, he’s in the middle of that meal with his disciples.” The meal follows specific traditions, including the use of matzah, an unleavened flatbread, and a variety of symbolic foods that represent different parts of the Passover story. “It’s a big meal,” Silvestro says. “There’s no leaven, so no regular bread. And there are all sorts of different elements involved, traditions, foods, and ceremonies. It’s just very rich in meaning.” Despite its historical and spiritual weight, the Seder also includes moments of joy, especially for children. “There’s a part where a piece of matzah, called the Afikomen, gets hidden,” she explains. “The kids have to go find it, and they win a prize. So it’s quite a sombre event, but also a celebration at the same time, there’s singing and light-hearted moments too.” A celebration that brings people together One of the unique aspects of the Seder is its openness. While rooted in Jewish tradition, Rachel says many people from different backgrounds take part. “There is no limit to how many people you can invite,” she says. “I’ve done Seders with about nine people, like tonight, but I’ve also done one for 50 people from our church. They weren’t Jewish, they just came to experience it.” For Silvestro, the connection between Passover and Easter also adds meaning. “In my mind, the two are very connected,” she says. “Passover is like the backstory; it adds so much richness and depth to what we celebrate at Easter.” A different reality in Israel this year While families in southeastern Manitoba gather in homes filled with food and tradition, Silvestro says the reality is much different for her daughter’s family in Israel. “My daughter is Jewish, her dad is Israeli, and her family is all in Israel,” she explains. “They’ll be celebrating tonight, but bomb sirens will be going off. I don’t know if they’ll be doing it in a bomb shelter or if they’ll have to run to one in the middle of it.” Silverstro notes that reality brings a sobering perspective to what is meant to be a joyful and reflective celebration. “Realizing where they and where we are is a whole other thing." Keeping tradition alive at home For Silvestro, hosting a Seder in Steinbach is deeply personal. “I do it for my daughter because she doesn’t have her family here to do it with,” she says. “My wish would be that she could celebrate with her Jewish family, but they’re not here, so I do it so she can still take part.” At its core, Passover is about remembrance, and for many families, that includes adapting traditions while holding onto their meaning. “It’s a celebration and a memorial at the same time. It’s sombre, but it’s also full of life.” A story that still resonates As Passover begins tonight under the full moon, millions will gather around tables to tell a story that has been passed down for generations, one of hardship, freedom, and hope. And whether in Steinbach or halfway around the world, that story continues to bring people together, even in the most uncertain of times. *Photos in the gallery below are plates of dishes served during a Passover Seder. (photos by Rachel Silvestro)