Passover week is a very special time for people of the Jewish faith. It is an important holiday that signifies how God delivered the Jewish people from the Egyptians. It is a holy holiday and all Jewish families look forward to it every year.
Working on the first two days of the Passover week, and the last two days of the Passover week is forbidden by Jewish customs. That makes the week of Pesach a great time for family vacations.
Pesach happens in the spring of the year, so the climates are fantastic. The holiday is rich in family celebrations and participation, so it is the perfect time for Jewish families to unite and spend quality time together.
Passover Programs
A Passover program is a vacation destination that has rooms, dining, and activities that are Pesach ready. The chametz has been removed from the hotels and resorts that host these programs. The food is prepared by Jewish specifications and Rabbis and Jewish advisors are consulted to make certain that everything is Passover kosher and acceptable.
The hotels and resorts go through a lot of time and preparation getting their establishments and grounds ready for the Jewish celebration. There are planned activities, arrangements for proper seder meals, and arrangements for prayers and services. Many of the programs offer specialized day-camps and activities for children and teens.
Choosing the Right Program
There are several things you need to consider before you select a Pesach program.
1. What kind of accommodations will make your family the most comfortable?
If your family is very active and is rarely going to be in the rooms unless they are bathing or going to bed then you want a program that offers hotel style rooms and not just suites. If the children in your group are young you may want accommodations that include baby beds or bunk beds for the children.
2. What kind of activities does your family normally enjoy?
Some families want to be outdoors. They like to hike, swim, ski, ride bicycles, and take in the natural beauty of the world around them. If your family likes outdoor adventures you want to select a program that offers the ability to participate in these activities.
You may even want to choose a program that has individual cabins in close proximity to nature reserves, safari’s, mountains, or scenic parks.
If your family prefers shopping and luxury over the nature scenes you will want to find a program that is in close proximity to great shopping centers, boutiques and malls. You can find programs close to infamous shopping locations like Rodeo Drive or the downtown Manhattan clothing district.
The activities that your family normally enjoys doing are going to be a big deciding factor in which program is right for you.
3. Dining
The program you choose has to have a seder dinner arrangement that will fit your family traditions as well as the Jewish traditions. Some families have the two-seder dinners and some families have only the seder dinner on the first night of the Pesach week.
Some families feel that the seder dinner is a time of reverence and should be shared only with the family members. Other families believe the seder is a celebration of faith and customs and should be shared with family, friends, and others who have the same faith and beliefs.
You also have to consider if anyone in the family has any food allergies or special dietary considerations. If someone in your group is allergic to eggs, or nuts, or someone suffers from diabetes, then you want to make sure the program can accommodate the eating requirements of that person and still keep with the traditional Passover kosher dining.
4. Location
Where the program is located will be very important. If you like sand, sun, and ocean views you will want to be with a program that offers these things. If you like mountains and snow, or cooler climates then the program you choose needs to be located in an area that provides you with the cooler climates.
5. Cost
The cost of the program you choose will be a big part of your consideration. Passover programs vary greatly in cost and some of the programs are more than the average person wants to pay. You have to look at the cost of the program, what is included in the package, like meals, wine, rooms, entertainment etc… and then decide which program is the best fit for your family.
Final Thoughts
Each family is unique and each Passover program offers something that is better suited for one family than for another. When choosing your program take the time to consider what your family likes as well as what religious activities you need the program to offer.
