The Jewish holiday of Passover begins on Friday evening at sunset (April 6). That’s the same day as the Christian celebration of Good Friday; Easter occurs on Sunday and the final day of the Christian Holy Week.
Passover begins with a festive meal and is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. The seder, on the eve of the first night of the holiday commemorates the biblical account of the Israelites’ pass-over from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Land of Israel. Jews eat unleavened bread, or matzah, throughout the holiday, to recall the Biblical story of the Israelites and what they ate when they escaped captivity in Egypt.
Passover lasts eight days outside of Israel, and seven days in Israel. Passover and the Easter holiday traditionally and historically overlap. Indeed, Jesus’ last supper was a Passover meal.
During Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday on April 1, 2012 followers of Christianity recall Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. In the Holy City of Jerusalem, pilgrims participate in traditional processions along the Via Dolorosa leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was buried.
As Jews around the world observe the holiday this year, here's wishing you Hag Sameach and "L'Shana HaBah B'Yerushalayim - Next year in Jerusalem!