First published 2007
Passover stands as the most important holiday in the Jewish calendar. This celebration honors the Exodus when Hebrew slaves escaped Egypt more than 3,500 years ago. Deborah Heiligman examines how this weeklong observance unfolds across different cultures and countries. The book details the elaborate seder meals where families gather to retell the Exodus story through rituals, prayers, songs, and narratives. Heiligman explains why specific foods carry deep meaning during these Passover feasts. Traditional recipes allow readers to taste the authentic flavors of this global celebration. Rabbi Shira Stern contributes background notes that give parents and teachers historical and cultural context for understanding Passover traditions. The book reveals how ancient memories of freedom continue to shape modern Jewish identity through food, storytelling, and shared ritual.
Genres: history, non-fiction, cultural, food-and-drink, jewish
Vibes: educational, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Egypt, Israel
Period: 3500 years ago, modern
32 pages · Hardcover · National Geographic Children's Books