Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, and once again local congregations and other organizations will host public seders celebrating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Most of the events included below require tickets purchased in advance and almost all note that despite the listed ticket price, financial constraints are not a barrier to participation.
If your organization is hosting a public seder, please send event details to [email protected] by March 28 to be included in this list.
San Francisco
Thursday, April 3
San Francisco Freedom Seder — Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area’s annual seder led by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Rabbi Ryan Bauer of Congregation Emanu-El. With kosher-style meal. At Fort Mason Center, Gateway Pavilion at Pier 2, S.F. 6-8 p.m. $96.
Saturday, April 12
Chabad of Cole Valley — Community seder with dinner and discussion. Register by April 11. At Chabad of Cole Valley, 1300 Shrader St., S.F. 7:15-10:30 p.m. $55, $35 kids.
Congregation Chevra Thilim — Community seder with four-course meal. Register by April 7. At Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $60, $30 kids.
JCCSF — Community seder with kosher-style meal catered by Mangia Nosh featuring matzah ball soup, brisket with gravy, grilled salmon, stuffed portabella mushrooms, mashed potato and acorn squash puree, sauteed vegetables, dessert, coffee, tea and wine. Vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s options available. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 6-9:30 p.m. $85-$200. $55 kids 12 and under.
Sunday, April 13
Congregation Am Tikvah — Community seder with catered kosher-meat meal. Register by April 4. At Am Tikvah, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. 5 p.m. $72, $18 ages 5-12. Free under 5, over 90, active military and students.
Congregation Ner Tamid — Community seder with kosher meal catered by Dina’s Kosher Catering. Register by April 7. At Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St. 6:30 p.m. $70 members, $75 nonmembers, $35 kids 5-16, free for under 5. nertamidsf.org
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav — Community seder with meal catered by Wise Sons, featuring poached salmon, potato kugel, spring vegetables and bitter green salad. Register by April 2. At Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 5-8 p.m. $72 members, $108 nonmembers, $36 youth, free for under 5.
Congregation Sherith Israel — Annual second-night community seder, which doubles as a fundraiser for the synagogue’s Chicken Soupers and HaMotzi programs that feed homebound seniors, those in need of healing and residents of local shelters. Register by April 7. At Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. $60 members, $25 member kids age 5-12, $75 nonmembers, $30 nonmember kids age 5-12, free for under 5.
Or Shalom Jewish Community — Community seder with ritual foods and drinks plus pescatarian potluck. Register by April 6. At Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin St., S.F. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Free, donations accepted.
Congregation B’nai Shalom — Second-night community seder led by Rabbi Daniel Stein and Hazzan Sandy Bernstein, with braised brisket, vegetable sides, matzah ball soup and chicken tenders for kids. All non-matzah dishes are gluten-free. Register by April 11. At B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 6 p.m. $50; children 6-12 $20; under 6 free.
Thursday, April 17
Senior Seder — Short daytime seder for adults over 60 with singing, discussion and kosher meal. Register by April 4. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $15.
Sunday, April 27
JCCSF Mimouna — Moroccan Jewish celebration marking the end of Passover with Moroccan sweets, beer, wine, arak, live music and dancing. Presented by JCCSF and JIMENA. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7-10 p.m. $26, $36 after April 26.
North Bay
Saturday, April 12
Chabad of Marin — Community seder with discussion and meal. Register by April 9. At Chabad of Marin, 1150 Idylberry Road, San Rafael. 7:15 p.m. $54, no one turned away due to lack of funds.
Chabad of Central Marin — Family-friendly community seder with appetizers, buffet dinner and discussion. At Corte Madera Community Center, 498 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera. 7:30 p.m. $54.
Chabad of Napa Valley — Community seder with dinner and handmade matzah. At the Chabad, 2025 Redwood Road, #7, Napa. 7:45 p.m. $50, $18 kids 12 and under, free for 3 and under. jewishnapavalley.com
Chabad of Novato — Community seder with three-course meal, hand-baked shmurah matzah, four cups of wine or grape juice, personal English-Hebrew Haggadahs and more. At Chabad of Novato, 695 De Long Ave., Novato. 7:30 p.m. $45, $40 kids before April 1; $54, $50 kids after April 1.
Chabad of Solano County — Community seder with meal, comedy and children’s program. Also April 13. At the Chabad, 730 E. Main St., Vacaville. 7:30 p.m. $50, $25 kids. jewishsolano.com
Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center — Family-friendly community seder with music and stories. At the Chabad, 2461 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 8:30 p.m. $60, $20 kids. jewishsonoma.com
Sunday, April 13
B’nai Israel Jewish Center — Community seder with meal featuring gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, brisket, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, pear frangipane tart and chocolate brownie bites. Vegetarian option available. Register by April 1. At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 5:30 p.m. $36-$136, sliding scale.
Congregation Beth Ami — Community seder with meal featuring fish, dairy and vegetarian dishes. Register by April 10. At Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 6:30 p.m. $36 members, $16 youth, $90 member family maximum, $40 nonmembers, $100 nonmember family maximum.
Congregation Beth Shalom — Community seder with catered meal. Register by April 1. At Beth Shalom, 1455 Elm St., Napa. 5:30 p.m. $72, $36 teens, free for 12 and under.
Congregation Ner Shalom — Community seder with activities for children. Menu includes salmon, vegetarian/vegan options available upon request. Register by April 3. At Ner Shalom, 85 La Plaza, Cotati. 5-8:30 p.m. $64 members, $53.50 low-income members, $34.60 child members, $74.50, nonmembers, $64 low-income nonmembers, $39.85 child nonmembers.
Congregation Shir Shalom — Community seder with food, wine and blessings. At Shir Shalom, Burlingame Hall, 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma. 5 p.m. $72 members, $150 nonmembers, $18 kids under 13.
East Bay
Tuesday, April 8
Temple Sinai Unity Seder — Interfaith celebration with the ritual foods and story of a traditional seder plus readings from many traditions and an opportunity to learn from and share with each other. With dinner. Register by April 1. At Temple Sinai Oakland, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 6-8 p.m. Free.
Saturday, April 12
Chabad of Fremont Jewish Center — Community seder with appetizers, wine, main course and dessert. At Chabad of Fremont Jewish Center, 4251 Peralta Blvd., Fremont. 7 p.m. $65 adults, $40 kids, $45 subsidized adults, $20 subsidized kids.
Kehilla Community Synagogue — Community seder with Ashkenazi and Sephardi song, guest speakers from Kehilla’s immigrant accompaniment team and Sephardic-inspired vegetarian seder meal catered by chef Jesse Yurow of One Farm Lemon. Gluten-free and vegan options available. Register by April 8. At Kehilla, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. 5-8 p.m. $65 members, $55 members reduced cost, $80 nonmembers, $65 nonmembers reduced cost, $45 volunteers, $40 kids 5-12, free for 4 and under.
Sunday, April 13
Congregation Shir Ami — Community seder with music and dinner. Register by April 4. At Castro Valley Women’s Club, 18330 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. 2-5 p.m. $45. Email [email protected] for tickets.
Chochmat HaLev — Family seder with options for kids 12 and under and for teens to explore the Passover story. With dinner catered by local organic chef. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 2:30-5:30 p.m.$45 adults, $30 kids.
Kol Hadash Community for Humanistic Judaism — “Modern Exodus”-themed secular seder with music and vegetarian meal. Register by April 9. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 6 p.m. $50, $20 kids 3-12, free for under 3.
PJ Library Community Seder — Family-centric, kid-friendly seder with drama, shtick, costumes and props. Catering by Miri from Hollyland. Dimond Park Redwood Grove, 3860 Hanly Road, Oakland. 4-6:30 p.m.
Temple Beth Torah — Family-friendly community seder with songs and meal. At Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 5 p.m. $25.
Temple Sinai Oakland — Community seder with meal by Carrie Dove Catering and holiday-themed activity for kids 3 and up. Register by April 8. At Temple Sinai Oakland, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 5:30-8 p.m. $60 members, $36 members age 2-9, $85 nonmembers, $36 nonmembers age 2-9.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews — Secular humanist Passover seder with discussions on themes of justice, equality and social responsibility, with potluck meal. At Livermore location provided with registration. 5 p.m. Free. RSVP at [email protected].
Pomella — Nontraditional seder hosted by Pomella and Aliza Grayevsky Somekh of Bishulim SF. With communal tables, a guided reading of the Haggadah and a multicourse, family-style meal. Register by April 12. At Pomella, 3770 Piedmont Ave., Unit B, Oakland. 5:30 p.m. $94.
Thursday, April 17
Older Adult Passover Luncheon — Holiday event with festive Passover meal, meaningful learning and community connection. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $25.
Friday, April 19
Tawonga Family Passover — Camp Tawonga’s outdoor Passover experience is “not like a regular seder — it’s more Purim meets Pesach.” Features activities, singing and “an interactive Exodus story like you’ve never experienced it before.” For families with kids 4-10. At the Redwood Grove at John Muir Elementary School, 2955 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3:30-5:30 p.m. $18, $36 or $54 per family, sliding scale.
South Bay/Peninsula
Wednesday, April 2
OFJCC Women’s Seder in Hebrew — Pluralistic and women-centered holiday celebration in Hebrew. Bring a Passover dish to share. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $18.
Sunday, April 6
Silicon Valley Freedom Seder — Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area’s annual seder led by the Rev. Bryan Franzen of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Dana Magat of Temple Emanu-El. With kosher-style meal. At Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose. 5-7 p.m. $36.
Tuesday, April 8
OFJCC Women’s Seder — Passover event led by Tova Birnbaum and Sigal Vardi with conversation, song, storytelling and shared traditions. With vegetarian kosher-style dinner. Register by April 4. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $25.
Saturday, April 12
Chabad of Sunnyvale — Community seder with dinner and handmade matzah. Register by April 7. At location provided with registration. 8 p.m. $50, $30 kids 2-12, free for under 2. chabadsunnyvale.com
Oshman Family JCC — Community seder with traditional songs, stories and kosher-style buffet dinner. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 5-7 p.m. $36, $25 kids.
Sunday, April 13
Congregation Beth Am — Community seder with buffet-style meal featuring chicken, fish, beef and vegetarian options. Register by April 6. At Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 6-8 p.m. $118 nonmembers, $90 members, $54 kids, free for under 2.
Congregation Beth David — Two community seder options, one geared toward religious school-aged kids, tots and their families and another geared toward adults and families with older children. Menu includes matzah ball soup, chicken, vegetable kugel, roasted potatoes and parve desserts. Gluten-free and vegetarian options. Register by March 25. At Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. Family seder 5:30-6:30. $36, $20 kids under 13, free for under 5. Adult seder 7-9 p.m. $65, $36 kids under 13, free for under 5.
Congregation Emeth — Family-friendly community seder. Register by April 8. At Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. 6-8 p.m. $54, $36 kids 6-13, free for under 5.
Congregation Shir Hadash — Community seder with traditional multi-course meal including egg, gefilte fish, charoset, matzah ball soup, brisket, side dishes and Passover desserts. Vegetarian option available. At Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 6 p.m. $118, $50 kids, free for under 2.
Temple Emanu-El — Community seder with meal catered by Lucy Fried of Deliciously Yours Catering featuring matzah ball soup, roasted chicken, stuffed eggplant, kugel, tomato salad with hearts of palm and celery, beet salad, cucumber salad with white onions, dessert and more. Register by April 3. At Temple Emanu-E, 1010 University Ave., San Jose. 5-8 p.m. $60 members, $75 nonmembers, $36 kids 5-10, free for under 5.
Thursday, April 17
Congregation Emeth Women’s Seder — Community seder for women with a Haggadah focused on the women of the Exodus, as well as potluck meal. Register by April 14. At Congregation Emeth, 17835 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. 6-8:30 p.m. Free.
Beyond the Bay
Saturday, April 12
Kenesset Israel Torah Center — Community seder with meal catered by Tammy Kempner. Registration required. At Kenesset Israel, 1165 Morse Ave., Sacramento. 8:15 p.m. $40, $15 kids 6-12, free for under 5. kitcsacramento.org
North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation — Community seder with kosher-style catered meal. Vegan/vegetarian option available. Register by April 7. At North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation, 7000 Latone Ave., Tahoe Vista. 5-7 p.m. $95 nonmembers, $75 members, $25 kids 5-12, $5 kids under 4. tahoetemple.org
Sunday, April 13
Temple Bat Yam — Community seder with meal featuring homestyle gefilte fish, chicken matzah ball soup, buffet-style meal and desserts. At Bat Yam, 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe. 5-8:30 p.m. $90 nonmembers, $60 nonmember kids 6-13, $75 members, $50 member kids 6-13, free for under 6 and over 80. tbytahoe.org
Saturday, April 19
Temple Bat Yam Mimouna — Moroccan Jewish celebration marking the end of Passover with a cookie exchange. Bring 1-2 dozen cookies to trade and a container to take some home. At Temple Bat Yam, 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe. 3:30-5 p.m. Free. tbytahoe.org
Sunday, April 20
North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation Mimouna — Moroccan Jewish celebration marking the end of Passover with a cookie exchange. Bring 1-2 dozen cookies to trade and a container to take some home. At Temple Bat Yam, 3260 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe. 3:30-5 p.m. Free. tahoetemple.org