There are many Pesach traditions that are the same all over the world. Each Pesach, Jews everywhere recount the story of the Exodus, taste the matzah and the edible items on the Seder plate, ask the Four Questions, open the door for Elijah, and look for the Afikomen. There are many Pesach traditions that are unique to the Jewish families who live in one country or one region of the world. There are also some Pesach traditions that are unique to the families in one synagogue - or even to the members of one family!

Have a look at the map of the world and the 25 countries we have talked about and enjoy learning about some unique Pesach traditions and where they come from. Try to remember that although some of these traditions may seem strange or amusing, they are all traditions that have been practiced by faithful Jews at Pesach for thousands of years. Some of them are no longer practiced because the Jews to whom they were a familiar part of Pesach have assimilated into the surrounding culture, or emigrated to other parts of the world - Israel, England, Western Europe, Canada, America, Australia. If you know what part of the world your family comes from, you may learn something about the way your ancestors might have celebrated Pesach. Have fun!!

Note: The word 'Ashkenazic' was first used to describe Jews living in Germany hundreds of years ago. Today, it is generally accepted to refer to Jews who live in Russia, Poland, Germany, France and the surrounding countries - and to their descendants, wherever they live. Jews from Spain were the first Jews to be described as 'Sephardic'. However, the term has now come to loosely describe all Jews who live around the Mediterranean (in the South of Europe and the North of Africa) and even those who live further east in Persia and India and the surrounding countries.

Back To Pesach Fun!