Photojournalism: Jewish faithful mark Passover with Seder

(Featured photo: Rabbi Shai Belooseky passes out a handmade matzah at the Congregation Children of Israel)

Members of the Congregation Children of Israel celebrated Passover on the evening of April 5.     

“Happy Passover,” said Rabbi Shai Beloosesky, as he opened the celebration which included food, wine, music, readings and prayers.

The night, he said, was a time to celebrate liberation as people of other faiths also mark the spring with religious celebrations. Christians, he said, are in the midst of Holy Week, while Muslims observe Ramadan.

“All three celebrate. We all serve the same God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” he said.

Passover marks when God brought the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt under the leadership of Moses as recorded in the Book of Exodus.

Various foods and herbs are eaten to remember the night and to tell the story.

Parts of the ceremony were sung or read in Hebrew.

While it was a joyous occasion, it was bittersweet as it was Beloosesky’s last Passover in Augusta. He will be leaving for New York.

Passover will be observed through April 13.