Celebrate Passover with seders and events focused on freedom, peaceful coexistence

The weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover will be observed this year from sundown Monday, April 22, through sundown Tuesday, April 30. It includes spring cleaning and a festive, structured dinner with family and friends, known as a seder, features stories of the Jewish people’s liberation from enslavement and their exodus from ancient Egypt retold through songs, readings and food-based rituals during the meal. Drinking wine and a relaxed attitude is encouraged.

With the current political upheaval occurring in the Middle East on the minds of most, the theme of the holiday is topical, as a meditation on and celebration of the basic human right to freedom, peaceful coexistence and honoring human resilience and triumph over even the most difficult of circumstances. 

Dinner and Film Screening: In Your Eyes, I See My Country

Enjoy dinner and a film screening from award-winning filmmaker Kamal Hachkar as part of Urban Adamah’s “Ya Rayah: Mizrahi” film series. The film is focused on Jerusalem musicians Neta Elkayam and Amit Haï Cohen, whose band explores their common Judeo-Moroccan musical heritage. In life as onstage, they grapple with and attempt to heal the wounds of exile carried by their relatives.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18. $15-$36, reservations recommended. Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 510-649-1595. https://urbanadamah.org

Passover Kids Party

Join Jennifer Altman of Jewish Baby Network and Rabbi Sam Luckey from Kehilla Synagogue for a morning of songs and Passover-themed crafts with your baby or toddler. Socialize over snacks and drinks and take home a holiday goody bag. 

10:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 21. Free-$18, registration recommended. Lake Temescal, 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland. 650-688-3080. https://jewishbabynetwork.org

Wise Sons Seder Food Pop-Ups

Not up to doing all that cooking for the seder? Wise Sons Deli is once again offering seder plates and supper foods that will be available for pickup at scheduled pop-up locations around the Bay Area. 

Preorder at least two days ahead; see schedule online for pickup timing Sunday-Monday, April 21-22. At various Bay Area locations. 415-992-6674. www.wisesonsdeli.com

Saul’s Restaurant Dine-in Seder and Passover to-go

The Berkeley deli is offering to-go seder foods as well as dine-in options for Passover. 

To-go orders available for pickup 4-6 p.m. Sunday, April 21; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, April 22-Tuesday, April 30. Dining-in available 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, April 23-28. Reservations required.  Saul’s Restaurant and Deli, 1475 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-848-3354. www.saulsdeli.com

A Passover Playground

Enjoy a party with interactive family fun, live songs and stories from Micah, craft activities, bagels from Loveski’s Deli and more.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free, reservations required. Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 415-444-8000. www.marinjcc.org

First Night Community Seder at the SFJCC

Pass the matzo and join a first-night seder including song and stories with San Francisco’s Rabbi Batshir Torchio and song leader Jonathan Bayer. Vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s meal options are available.

6-9:30 p.m. Monday, April 22. $50-$150, registration required. Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. www.jccsf.org

ChabadSF’s First Night Community Passover Seder

All are welcome to enjoy a seder with handmade matzo, wine and a gourmet holiday dinner spiced up with unique traditional customs. 

7-11 p.m. Monday, April 22. $65-$125, registration required. Storek, 155 Ninth St., S.F. 415-668-6178. www.chabadsf.org

Emeryville Community Passover Seder

Join a seder with the East Bay community on the first or second night of Passover.

7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22. Doyle Street Cafe, 5515 Doyle St., Emeryville; 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. $18-$360, registration required. Chabad Emeryville, 1300 55th St., Emeryville. 510-859-8808. www.chabademeryville.com

Passover Dinner at One Market

Enjoy a gourmet Passover dinner inspired by a love of elevated Jewish holiday cuisine.

Reservations available for in-restaurant dining and takeout Monday-Friday, April 22-26 and Monday-Tuesday, April 29-30. $30-$59, reservations recommended. One Market Restaurant, 1 Market St., S.F. 415-777-5577. https://onemarket.com

Let Freedom Sing: Operas About Liberation

San Francisco Opera’s dramaturg emeritus Kip Cranna will lead a presentation exploring examples of opera’s expressions of human aspiration for freedom. 

1-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 24. Free, reservations required. JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. www.jccsf.org

Emanu-El Goes to the Cinema: ‘The Prince of Egypt’

Enjoy a screening of the family-friendly DreamWorks animated Passover classic with friends and family. 

3 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $5, reservations required. Vogue Theater, 3290 Sacramento St., S.F. 415-751-2535. www.emanuelsf.org

Family Freedom Seder

An evening of learning and discussion, singing and celebration focused on themes of equality, justice, freedom and the spirit of togetherness. After dinner there will be a children’s hunt for the afikomen (a hidden matzo cracker) and blessing. Geared toward families with children ages 3-12.

3-6:45 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $25-$53, reservations required. Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 510-649-1595. https://urbanadamah.org

Tawonga Family Passover Seder

An outdoor Passover experience with creative and interactive holiday-focused activities, food, live music and more. For families with children 4 to 8 years old.

3:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $18-$54, reservations required. Redwood Grove, John Muir Elementary School, 2955 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 415-543-2267. https://tawonga.org

Passover ¡Cantamos!

A Passover-themed interactive Spanish music performance geared towards children ages 0-7. Features singing, dancing and holiday activities.

3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $18, reservations required. JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 510-848-0237. https://jcceastbay.org

The Deadhead Seder: Steal the Yeast Right Off Your Bread

Wendy Garf-Lipp will lead the seder with her unique, signature Haggadah. There will be live music and a large dance floor. With acoustic and electric sets featuring Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, Jeannette Ferber, Mookie Siegel, Danny Eisenberg, Ezra Lipp, Jordan Feinstein and Ben Bernstein. Table seating is first come, first served.

4-10 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $35-$120, reservations required. Golden Gate Bistro, 803 Wright Ave., Richmond. 510-374-6393. www.goldengatebistro.net

Vegan Passover: Klezmer, Matzoh and More

Local multi-instrumentalist and vegan chef Philip Gelb will host a Passover dinner in a West Oakland loft space. With live klezmer music from the Baymele folk trio featuring violinist Matthew Stein, cellist Misha Khalikulov and Dmitri Gaskin, accordion and a four-course vegan holiday meal. Don’t fret if tickets sell out. The artist has a few events scheduled each month through June.

6-9 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $110, reservations required. Adeline Lofts, 1131 24th St., 1131 24th St., Oakland. https://philipgelb.com

Mimouna for Palestine

The centuries-old Moroccan event known as Mimouna celebrates springtime and community as Muslims and Jews, living in harmony on shared lands. Traditionally occurring the day after Passover, it marks the happy return to eating leavened foods. Neighbors hang out, play music and dance, sharing food, sweet treats and good fortune.

6:30-10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. $25-$35, reservations recommended. El Rio, 3158 Mission St., S.F. 415-282-3325. www.elriosf.com

Mimouna Celebration

Celebrate Spring and the end of Passover at a Moroccan Mimouna. Enjoy sweets, live music and dancing at a festive event which seeks to embody heritage and embrace community. Mimouna is the beginning of the spring season and a time to celebrate friendship, community and peaceful coexistence.

7-10 p.m. Thursday, May 2. $25-$36, reservations required. JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 415-292-1200. www.jccsf.org

Reach Anne Schrager: aschrager@sfchronicle.com