Passover programs provide Jewish individuals and families with a relaxing holiday while adhering to kosher dietary laws. Packages usually feature luxury accommodations, gourmet kosher meals, religious services, and entertainment activities.
Luxury programs feature known celebrities and scholars-in-residence to provide activities and entertainment suitable for guests of all ages.
Cost
Passover programs give Jewish travelers a great way to experience Pesach without the stress of preparing their home for Pesach. Many offer kosher meals, minyanim, Shabbos services and entertainment as part of the package; making these a fantastic alternative option for families who wish to save themselves some of the hassle involved with preparing a home themselves for Pesach.
Costs associated with Passover programs can vary significantly based on location, duration and level of luxury. Programs featuring gourmet kosher meals and extensive amenities tend to be more costly than their less lavish counterparts.
Childcare programs and entertainment costs can also play a key role in the cost of Passover programs, requiring professional entertainers or lecturers to ensure all programs adhere to kosher dietary laws without using any chametz products.
Hechsher
Hechsher certification is a form of Jewish religious certification for products that meets Jewish religious requirements, most frequently on food items; but can also apply to non-food items that come into contact with food, like cleaning agents and disposable cutlery. Hechshers usually display information about who approved it, its expiration date and any stamp from an affiliating rabbi who issued it.
Many Jewish people adhere to a kosher diet, which restricts them from certain food products. During Passover, Jews must avoid leavened products like bread and cookies that contain leavening agents and use only dishes, utensils and cookware that is certified kosher. Furthermore, all meat must be slaughtered according to Jewish law and all fruits and vegetables must be certified kosher; insects are strictly forbidden.
Accommodations
Passover programs that provide exceptional accommodations feature various accommodations – some are situated near popular tourist spots while others offer more remote experiences – with each one strictly adhering to kosher laws and restrictions, including prohibiting chametz from the menu.
Programs also feature an array of activities and entertainment, such as performances, lectures, workshops, sports facilities for children’s programs as well as organized excursions to local attractions or sites of interest.
Some high-end programs even feature celebrity singers and speakers; however, with the coronavirus outbreak some programs have been cancelled and guests who put down deposits months in advance are demanding a refund of their deposits.
Activities
Entertainment and activities are an integral component of Passover programs, often hiring performers, musicians, comedians, or both to put on shows for guests at their programs. These shows typically fall within the cost of participating programs; performances may take place both on resort grounds and locally in towns and villages.
Children’s activities are an integral component of Passover programs. From coloring, building and sensory play to storytelling activities designed to bring the Seder story alive for young ones – such as making a Ten Plagues Bowling Game using inexpensive bowling pins with lists of plagues – children will love being engaged during Passover programs!
Entertainment
At Passover, it is customary to celebrate with family and friends by attending large Seder meals. Over time, this tradition has given rise to an expanding industry offering luxury vacation programs featuring hotel buyouts with gourmet kosher for Passover food; and offering celebrity singers/speakers as well as resident rabbis.
These programs go beyond providing strictly kosher meals; they also offer recreational and entertainment activities for individuals and families alike, prayer services, religious study sessions with knowledgeable rabbis and scholars, prayer services for any special events as well as prayer services to celebrate special days or holiday occasions.
Programs are tailored to be both entertaining and relaxing, focusing on Jewish culture and traditions. They’re ideal for travelers seeking a warm weather destination that caters to kosher culinary and religious requirements for the holiday.
