DeKALB — Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb, serving DeKalb and Kane counties, will mark the holiday of Passover with a Seder on March 26, open to congregation members and their guests. The Seder will be conducted by congregation member Avi Bass, assisted by Harvey Blau, the director of the congregation’s choir, Koleynu.

Passover is one of the best-known Jewish holidays. It is one of the major festivals considered significant both agriculturally and historically. Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. Historically, it is related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery, as told in the Book of Exodus. Passover lasts for eight days.

The name “Passover” comes from the Hebrew word Pesach, which is based on the root “pass over.” This refers to God's "passing over" of the houses of Jews when he was slaying the firstborns of the Egyptians during the last of the 10 plagues.