Passover: Festival of Freedom

Orca Origins Series

by Monique Polak

During Passover, Jews are reminded of how, more than three thousand years ago, their ancestors emerged from slavery to become free men and women. Bestselling author Monique Polak explores her own Jewish roots as she tells the Passover story, which reminds us that the freedom to be who we are and practice our religion, whatever it may be, is a great gift. It also teaches us that if we summon our courage and look out for each other, we can endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances. Enlivened by personal stories, Passover reminds us that we can all endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances. Passover is the first in the Orca Origins series that examines ancient traditions kept alive in the modern world.

Genres: Nonfiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2016

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book on Passover, written for families
Basically all the information you need to know about celebrating the Passover Seder is in this book. I took a lot of notes and finished the book in about an hour. She also includes two stories from Holocaust survivors
Not exactly written from a Biblical worldview though

[Denise Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful to a non-Jewish person wanting to understand the Passover Seder. I was really moved by the personal stories from those that had experienced the Holocaust and after going through that horror, what Passover meant to them.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, can't wait to talk to the students about this book and holiday.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book - and an interesting take on Passover!
Polak could have chosen to simply explain the story of Passover, go over the traditional foods, rituals, prayers, etc., and end the book there. Boom - Festival of Freedom.
But no, she chose to delve deeper. She chose to interview survivors of the Shoah (the Holocaust) and ask for their memories of Passover, and how their view of freedom changed after their ordeal. She chose to look at the ways Jews worldwide celebrate their freedom year-round as well as at Passover. She chose to include the story of the orange on the Seder plate, and discuss marginalized communities and what freedom means to them through the lens of Judaism. She chose to include different ways Jews celebrate Passover all over the world, from Nepal to China to Israel.
She did well - this is a book I'll be proud to recommend!