Passover

Ritchie Torres:

'Enslavement of Jews not merely memory, unfolding in Gaza'

Democratic Congressman calls for the liberation of the 59 remaining hostages on Passover.

Agam Berger on Passover in captivity:

'When I saw the Haggadah that Liri made, I cried'

Released hostage Agam Berger shares how she and her friend Liri Albag celebrated holidays in captivity. 'Liri made a Haggadah and paper chains for Sukkot.'

Significant increase in Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount

First days of Passover see 30% rise in the number of Jewish visitors ascending and praying on the Temple Mount.

On crutches:

Injured soldier opens the Torah Ark

Injured soldier Elnatan Goldstein opens Torah Ark as thousands join the Hallel prayer, held with Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu at the foot of the Old City.

Watch live:

Thousands attend holiday prayers with Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu

Near the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, Tzfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and yeshiva dean Rabbi Eyal Yakobovitz lead thousands in festival prayers.

Dozens of families hold Seder at Gaza border

A communal Seder was held near the Gaza Strip as a call to the government to retake Gaza as Israeli territory.

Chief of Staff:

'This is our duty – freedom!'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir held the Passover Seder at the Mevo Dotan post in northern Samaria, together with troops who have been operating since the October 7th Massacre.

Trump's Passover blessing:

'May God continue to watch over the Jewish people'

US President Donald Trump issued a statement greeting the Jewish people in honor of the holiday of Passover. 'A reminder not only of the enduring strength of the Jewish people, but the importance of putting our faith in almighty G-d no matter what the circumstances.'

During Passover:

IDF maintains full operational readiness across all fronts

Despite the Passover holiday, the IDF remains fully operational across all fronts. In Gaza, troops target terrorists and infrastructure, while Northern Command defends the Galilee and operates in Lebanon and Syria. Central Command secures key areas in Judea and Samaria. The IAF and Navy support missions across all sectors.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach from Israel!

Updates continue from North America

Shabbat begins in Israel, to be followed by Passover. INN's North America desk will update the site until the start of Shabbat in New York. Updates from Israel resume following the conclusion of Passover on Sunday night.

Passover:

Long division and a short memory

There’s nothing new about Jewish disunity, which makes our story even more miraculous. Opinion.

Building turns into deathtrap

Near disaster while searching for Chametz

A fire that broke out in an apartment in Beitar Illit was found to have been caused by a candle used to search for chametz, which set a sweater in a closet on fire.

Pres. Herzog visits ex-hostage:

'In heart of storm, you bring humanity, hope, and great light'

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog met today with Liri Albag who recently returned from Hamas captivity in Gaza and her family.

The Progressive Passover

All the Palestinian Arabs had to do in Gaza after 2005's Disengagement was make unto themselves a nation. You’d think Moses the Progressive Jew would be happy. Think again.

Jewish group urges Red Cross to help hostages observe Passover

Ayelet Hashachar on the International Committee of the Red Cross to facilitate delivery of matzahs to the hostages still held in Gaza for Passover.

PM's Passover blessing:

'The Almighty and our soldiers save us from our enemies' hands'

Prime Minister Netanyahu publishes video message with a special blessing ahead of ther Passover festival. 'Wwe are the generation of resurrection. The generation of victory.'

‘I chose the path of faith’

Freed hostage reflects on 482 days in Hamas captivity

Freed Israeli hostage Agam Berger shares her story of faith, resilience, and spiritual freedom during her 482-day captivity in Gaza. As Passover approaches, she reflects on survival, religious devotion, and the ongoing plight of those still held by Hamas.

Jon Polin to Arutz Sheva:

How do we celebrate a holiday of redemption when we don't have it

Jon Polin, the father of murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, shares what keeps him fighting for the other hostages as well as his thoughts ahead of the passover holiday

Watch:

Israel sells its chametz

A special ceremony was held at the Chief Rabbinate Headquarters, during which representatives of the State of Israel sold the state's chametz to a gentile.

President Herzog to troops:

We speak of freedom and want to see our brothers and sisters home

Ahead of Passover, President Isaac Herzog visits surveillance soldiers and combat troops.

'Moved by what I’ve seen'

IDF Chief of Staff visits wounded soldiers

IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir visited the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center a spoke with the wounded, and listened to their stories.

Wounded Bedouin officer buys Gush Etzion's chametz

Lt. Col. Hadi Falah, a Bedouin officer in the IDF who was seriously injured in battle in the Gaza Strip and who had asked to purchase chametz from Israeli Jews, makes the purchase from Tel Hashormer Hospital.

Israeli consumers break Passover shopping record

Shva data indicates that in March 2025 credit card spending in Israel reached a new high of 47.584 billion shekels.

Matzah kits distributed in Muslim country

Jewish community in Azerbaijan prepares for Passover – and calls to strengthen ties with Israel and the US.

IDF prepares for Passover:

Over 100 tons of matzah for soldiers

Tens of thousands of Haggadot and kosher for Passover food packages delivered to soldiers serving on all fronts.

Hamas fears sacrifices on Temple Mount

Hamas channels are warning that Israelis attempting to offer the Passover lamb on the Temple Mount are a prelude to Israel attempting to replace the mosques with the Third Temple.

Passover:

Two faces of "the day after"

Though we had no merits - ‘no פתח no opening’ - Hashem still redeemed us.

The Passover Exodus: History's turning point:

Reflections on the profundity of the first night of Passover,

Disturbing incident:

Jewish community in London receives defaced Passover package

European Jewish Association distributes 120,000 matzos packages to over 600 communities across Europe ahead of Passover.

Revivim:

Laws and customs for Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbat

When the 14th of Nisan falls on Shabbat, the chametz is checked with a blessing on the night of the 13th of Nisan. On Friday, the chametz is burned. More below.

In meeting with IHF

Mayor Adams promises enhanced Passover safety

Rabbi David Katz, Rabbi Dr. Joseph Frager, and Jonathan Burkan of the Israel Heritage Foundation meet New York Mayor Eric Adams, presenting him with Shemurah Matzah. Mayor Adams, in turn, promises enhanced police presence for a safe Passover.

NYPD boosting security for synagogues ahead of Passover

Hate crimes against Jews 'jump off the page' and account for 62% of all hate crimes in NYC, says the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

Western Wall:

Priestly Blessing to be held twice this Passover

The Priestly Blessings will be held in the presence of hostages released from captivity, their families, families of hostages who have not yet been released, wounded soldiers, IDF heroes, Israel’s chief rabbis, the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, and the mayor of Jerusalem/

Washington, DC:

Jewish federation to distribute $180,000 to laid-off fed workers

Jewish Federation tells local rabbis it will reimburse them for providing aid to families of laid-off federal workers at their discretion. 'We trust them to make the decision.'

Chief Rabbinate:

Kosher for Passover pizza must have a 'mountain of cheese'

Chief Rabbinate demands that kosher-for-Passover pizzas differ obviously from regular pizzas.

Experience Pesach in the East:

Cherry blossoms and Jewish tradition

Pesach in the East is centered around the luxurious Tokyo Hilton Hotel at the heart of the city’s vibrant Shinjuku entertainment, business, and shopping district.

Hundreds of terror targets were attacked during Passover

The IDF attacked 270 terror targets across the Gaza Strip over the holiday, including more than 20 rocket batteries aimed at Israel.

Watch: Passover and time

Passover confronts the mystery of time head on.

Massachusetts:

Annual budget debate rescheduled to accommodate Passover

In a first, Massachusetts lawmakers delay budget fight to accommodate Passover observance.

'Jewish history began here'

Passover in Hebron in the shadow of war

Arutz Sheva spoke with Dr. Noam Arnon, the spokesman of the Jewish community in Hebron, who says that despite increased security tensions, the city is still a popular destination during the holiday.

The Perversion of Passover by Jewish Antisemites

If those “As a Jew”s were in ancient Egypt, undoubtably they would have been the loud justifiers of the Pharaoh’s persecution of the Jews. Op Ed.

From Ma Nishtana to Ma Nishtanu - We are different!

In what way are the Jews different than Hamas? It seems that many university students and world leaders cannot answer that simple question.

"Speak to the Children of Israel and let them move on!"

What is God telling them to do? If they jump into the Re(e)d Sea, they will most likely drown. And if they don't?

Exhibition for repatriated evacuees near Gaza

The Israel Dog Unit welcomed the residents of Netzarim back to their homes with a Passover exhibition of their working dogs in action.

Moving:

Levite Choir sings for the hostages' release

Temple Institute's Levite Choir performed for the thousands of visitors to Jerusalem's Old City.

Birkat Kohanim at Western Wall

Changes to traffic arrangements and increased light rail lines

Thousands are due to participate in the traditional Birkat Kohanim prayer tomorrow at the Western Wall. Expected changes to traffic arrangements in Jerusalem.

Prayer for return of hostages:

Prayer for return of hostages included in Western Wall prayers

A prayer for the return of the hostages will be included in the traditional Birkat Kohanim prayers to be held tomorrow at the Western Wall.

A critique of power

People take notice, for better or for worse, when someone dares to be different, and what we are going through today is simply 2024’s iteration of our daring to be different. Our strength is not determined by their might. Opinion

Watch:

Freed nine-year-old Emily Hand sings 'Ma Nishtana'

Nine-year-old Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas and freed after 50 days, takes part in Kibbutz Be'eri Seder, sings "Ma Nishtana" with other children.

Watch:

Jewish artists envelop in prayer

Some of today's leading artists in Jewish music: singers, cantors, and musicians, together with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra have come together to create this project, to raise spirits during these dark days.

For the first time

Public Seder to be held in pro-Russian Transnistria region

80 years after the destruction of the Jewish communities in the pro-Russian Transnistrian region of Moldova, a public Seder will be held this evening for the first time in the region according to tradition.

IDF: As Passover begins the IDF is at full readiness in all areas

Military says northern, central, and southern commands operating to defend Israel in all arenas with Passover holiday set to begin tonight.

Australian PM sends Passover greeting

PM Albanese says 'We remain steadfast in our determination to counter hateful prejudice and antisemitism so that our Australian principles of respect, acceptance and inclusion prevail.'

Sunak in Passover greeting:

'My thoughts are with hostages an families of Oct. victims'

British PM notes the families who will have empty seats in Passover greeting, says UK will continue to support Israel against attacks such as the recent Iranian attack.

Hostage's father:

'We'll leave a seat for you in case you come home'

Zvika Mor, the father of Eitan Mor, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, writes about celebrating Passover with his son in captivity, never losing hope.

'Reprehensible and dangerous'

Biden denounces antisemitism in Passover message

Biden releases statement ahead of Passover: My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad.

Public diplomacy video:

The empty chair at the Passover Seder

Prime Minister's Office National Public Diplomacy Directorate launches new video seeking to raise awareness of the hostages being held by Hamas: No family in the world should celebrate like this.

Passover Insight: the Jewish approach to antisemitism

Iranian’s unprecedented missile attack on Israel comes just before Passover, when the Jewish people will recite the words in the Haggadah, In every generation, they rise to destroy us, but G-d saves us every time.” Oped.

IDF spox. to hostages:

'If you can hear me - we will fight until you return home to us'

Rear Admiral Hagari told Israelis that while forces are deployed along the entire length of the borders of Israel, they must remain vigilant during the holiday.

Mother of hostage:

'I can't imagine celebrating Passover without my son'

Ahead of Passover, the mothers of hostages called on the world to press for a deal so they could celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.