DMV Passover Guide 2025 / 5785

Updated 4:27 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19th

Dear DMV friends,

Welcome to GatherDC’s DMV Passover Guide for 2025 / 5785! This guide is here to connect you with all the resources and information you need to fill your table (literally and metaphorically!) in the DMV this Passover.

Passover is a holiday about storytelling. It’s about taking account of where you’ve been, where you are right now, where you’re headed — and what stands in between the present and that future. As we approach Passover, we’re asking: Do we feel whole? Do we feel shattered? Do we feel like we’re waiting for the sea to part, or is the way forward clear?

No matter what you’re seeking, this guide is here to help you make this Passover as meaningful and deeply felt as possible. From now through the end of the holiday, we’ll be updating this guide with all the seders, classes, services, gatherings, haggadot, recipes, local Passover menus, Hametz-selling, Mimouna celebrations, and other resources we can find!

If you notice this guide is missing any local Passover experiences and resources that would be a great fit for our community of 20s and 30s, please submit them to our online calendar or email us, and we’ll make sure to share. If you want to stay in-the-loop with breakdowns of each upcoming week for all things Jewish DMV, plus Rabbi Amalia’s upcoming Passover message, subscribe to our weekly Wednesday newsletter.

Chag Pesach Sameach! Wishing you a happy and healthy Passover!

The GatherDC Team

What's in the Guide?

Seder Hosting and Matching

Pre-Passover Experiences

First Night Seders

Second Night Seders

More Passover Experiences

DMV Restaurants for Passover

Passover Recipes

Ways to Give Back

Readings, Haggadot, and Other Resources

Seder Hosting and Matching

• Hosting Den Community-Led Passover Seders with the Den Collective and OneTable
  • Fill out this form by March 24th to be a host for Den community members
  • “When hosting for the Den community, you can receive a generous subsidy to offset costs through OneTable, as well as facilitation guidelines and support from the Den rabbis in crafting a meaningful rituals and Jewish teachings.”
• Passover Satellite Seders with EntryPointDC
  • Open to 20s, 30s, and 40s seeking to host or be hosted for a Passover seder this year
  • Register by April 1st

Pre-Passover Experiences: Classes, Seders, and More

Saturday, March 29th

• 12:30 p.m. — Pre-Passover Shabbat Lunch + Learn with the Den Collective
  • “Join Rabbi Emmanuel to enjoy a home-cooked meal, meaningful Shabbat rituals, and lots of opportunity for connection and conversation with community members.”

Monday, March 31st

• 7:00 p.m. — Passover Deep Dive: Jewish Customs, Practice, and Law with the Den Collective
  • “Join Rabbi Aderet for a night of learning and lively discussion as we explore the intersection of law, practice, and custom when it comes to Passover preparations and observance.”

Tuesday, April 1st

• 6:30 p.m. — Nights at the Seder Table with the Capital Jewish Museum
  • “Read from our community Haggadah, clink glasses over stories old and new, connect over charoset and horseradish, and find inspiration all around the table.”
• 7:30 p.m. — Passover Workshop – Cleaning and Kashering: A Crash Course in Passover Preparations with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz with B’nai Israel Congregation
  • “Bring your questions and curiosities to this crash course.”

Wednesday, April 2nd

• 7:00 p.m. — Passover Seder Boot Camp with the EDCJCC
  • “[W]e will discuss the core structure of the seder, offering meaningful insights, alternate traditions, and logistical advice to make sure you leave feeling confident in your seder skills”

Thursday, April 3rd

• 7:00 p.m. — YP Treat-Making Happy Hour with Magen David Sephardic Congregation
  • “Looking to connect with local Young Jewish Professionals (ages 22-45) before Passover? Join us for a hands-on dessert-making session and happy hour.”

Saturday, April 5th

• 1:00 p.m. — Passover Q&A with Rabbi Holtzblatt with Adas Israel Congregation

Sunday, April 6th

• 9:00 a.m. — Good Deeds Week: Project Hope Passover Delivery with B’nai Israel Congregation
  • “Help us deliver Passover packages to senior residents in the Rockville and Leisure World areas.”
• 5:00 p.m. — Sharing Our Stories: A Women’s Seder with Temple Beth Ami
  • “Join us for an intergenerational Women’s Seder led by Rabbi Weiss and former Cantorial Soloist Joshana Erenberg.”
• 6:00 p.m. — 17th Annual National Rainbow Seder with GLOE
  • “We’ll enjoy a special Passover meal as we read our own Haggadah and perform its festive rituals with the Jewish LGBTQ community and our friends.”

Tuesday, April 8th

• 6:00 p.m. — Passover Prep: A Mock Seder & Chametz Dinner with the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
  • “Get ready for Passover with a hands-on Mock Seder where we’ll walk through the key parts of a traditional Seder and explore their meanings; making the experience interactive and fun!”

Wednesday, April 9th

• 11:59 p.m. — Sell Hametz with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “Funds collected through donations and through the ‘sale’ of hametz are used for charitable purposes and to help provide Passover food for those who might otherwise have none.”

Thursday, April 10th

• 6:30 p.m. — Celebrate Passover with Jews of Color and their Families with the EDCJCC
  • “Join other Jews of Color and their families to build community as we celebrate Passover together!”

Monday, April 12th

• 9:00 a.m. — Biur Hametz (Burning of the Hametz) with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “Burn your leftover chametz live in the Adas parking lot with Hazzan Goldsmith. We will be reviewing the blessing and customs for this Passover tradition.”

First Night Seders

Saturday, April 12th

• 5:30 p.m. — Community Passover Seder with Washington Hebrew Congregation and 2239
  • Register by 12:00 p.m. on April 4th
  • “Through storytelling, song, and the symbolic foods of the Seder plate, we’ll honor the journey from bondage to freedom while reflecting on its enduring relevance today.”
• 8:00 p.m. — Passover Seder with Magen David Sephardic Congregation
• 8:30 p.m. — First Seder with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
  • “This Seder is designed for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned participants, offering an inclusive and community environment.”

Second Night Seders

Sunday, April 13th

• 6:00 p.m. — Second Night Passover Seder with Kol Ami
  • “[T]his special evening will be filled with tradition, songs, rituals, and a meaningful retelling of the Passover story.”
• 6:00 p.m. — 2nd Night Congregational Seder with Temple Beth Ami
  • “Led by TBA Clergy, we will journey through the timeless story of the Exodus, exploring its enduring meaning in our lives today.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Annual Second Night Seder: Weaving Together the Past and Present with the EDCJCC
  • Register by 5:00 p.m. on April 9th
  • “Join the EDCJCC for a warm communal seder celebrating the diversity of Passover traditions.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Community Passover Seder (2nd night) with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “Join us for our annual, festive community Passover seder at Adas Israel with delicious food, thought provoking discussion, and joyful song.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Second Night Congregational Seder with Cantor Josh Perlman with B’nai Israel Congregation
  • Register by April 7th
  • “A traditional, lively, and song-filled seder will include a delicious meal and the greatest humor of our very own Cantor Josh.”
• 7:00 p.m. — Second Night Seder with Congregation Beth El
• 7:30 p.m. — Second Seder with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
  • “This Seder is designed for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned participants, offering an inclusive and community environment.”

Other Passover Seders, Services, Mimouna Celebrations, and More

Sunday, April 13th

• 9:15 a.m. — Passover Service with Kol Shalom
• 10:00 a.m. — Shacharit & Kiddush with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 10:30 a.m. — First Day Passover Service with Temple Beth Ami
  • “Join us as we celebrate the beginning of Passover with a special service reflecting on the themes of freedom and redemption.”

Friday, April 18th

• 6:30 p.m. — Erev Shabbat and Festival Evening Service with Congregation Beth El
• 6:30 p.m. — Erev 7th Day Passover Service with Yizkor with Temple Beth Ami
  • “Join us for a meaningful Erev 7th Day Passover Service with Yizkor, a time for reflection and remembrance.”

Saturday, April 19th

• 10:30 a.m. — 7th Day Passover Service with Temple Beth Ami
  • “This service will include special prayers, Torah readings, and reflections on the miraculous crossing of the sea.”

Sunday, April 20th

• 9:15 a.m. — Festival Morning Service and Yizkor with Congregation Beth El
• 10:30 a.m. — Bike + Learn: Riding into Spring with the Den Collective
  • “Join Rabbi Emmanuel for a leisurely, scenic bike ride as we emerge from Passover and embrace the season of renewal and rebirth with a day of nourishing our minds, bodies, and souls.”
• 11:00 a.m. — Yizkor with Adas Israel Congregation
  • Also available on livestream

Monday, April 21st

• 8:00 p.m. — B’nai Israel Young Professionals: Spice it Up Mimouna Style! with B’nai Israel Congregation
  • “Get ready for a festive night filled with vibrant Israeli Mizrahi music, the irresistible taste of freshly made moufleta and sfenj, delectable Moroccan treats, and a toast of arak to top it all off.”

Sunday, April 27th

• 1:00 p.m. — Mimouna Festival of Good Neighbors at the Smithsonian with SHIN-DC
  • “Enjoy traditional foods and experience a new generation of Jewish and Muslim Moroccan artists who will share a harmonious blend of music drawing from their collective Sephardic, Jewish, Gnawi, Muslim, and Mimouna heritages, as well as Gnawa, Andalusi, and Chaabi styles.”

Local Passover Noshing

District of Columbia

• Baked by Yael
  • Including matzah and other baked goods
• Bread Furst
  • Available for pre-order and pickup on April 12th and 13th
• Char Bar
  • Available for delivery or pickup on April 10th and 11th
• Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab
  • Prix-fixe menu available on April 12th and 13th
• Prescription Chicken
  • Includes several variations of matzah ball soup
• Sababa
  • Pre-order to pickup April 12th through April 20th
• Signature Caterers
  • Order by March 31st
  • Pickup available at several locations

Maryland

• Provisions Catering
  • Place orders by Friday, April 4th
• Signature Caterers
  • Order by March 31st
  • Pickup available at several locations
• Summer House – Santa Monica
  • Prix-fixe menu available for dine-in on April 12th and 13th
  • Pickup available on April 12th and 13th for carryout dinners. Must order by 12:00 p.m. on April 9th

NoVA

• Chutzpah Deli
• Signature Caterers
  • Order by March 31st
  • Pickup available at several locations

Passover Recipes

For Your Seder Plate

• Ashkenazi Haroset by Claudia Roden at My Jewish Learning
• Chrain (Horseradish) by Jake Marmer at My Jewish Learning
• Classic Charoset from Delish
• Horseradish: How to Make Your Own Maror from Elana’s Pantry
• How to Make Charoset by Rabbi Ilana at GatherDC
• Passover Charoset from Indonesia by Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder at Jewish&
• Sephardic Charoset Truffles from Tori Avey
• Sephardi Style Charoset by Jay Rosen from The Nosher

Matzah

• Individual Rolled Megina for Passover from The Global Jewish Kitchen
• Matzah Toffee from The Nosher
• Matza Toffee Crunch from Adeena Sussman
• Sweet Matzo Pie Crust from Martha Stewart

Vegan and Vegetarian

• Fennel Celery Salad from The Nosher
• Vegan Matzo Ball Soup at Connoisseurus Veg
• Vegetarian Brisket by Shannon Sarna at The Nosher
• 9 Vegan Passover Recipes To Make For Your Seder at Live Kindly

Dessert

• Dark Chocolate Pistachio Macaroons from Tori Avey
• Flourless Chocolate Cake by Adeena Sussman at My Jewish Learning
• Flourless Fudge Cookies from King Arthur Baking Company
• Passover Chocolate-Walnut Cake with Orange from Martha Stewart
• Passover Marshmallow Brownies from the Nosher

Ways to Give Back

As part of celebrating Passover, some Jewish communities practice Ma’ot Chittim or ‘money for wheat.’ Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington describes this as “the obligation upon every Jew to donate funds prior to Pesach to help the poor cover their holiday expenses.” Below are some local options for organizations addressing food insecurity, in the DMV and elsewhere:

• Capital Area Food Bank
  • “The Capital Area Food Bank is the anchor of the hunger relief infrastructure in our region, providing more than 60 million meals to people in communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.”
• Capital Kosher Pantry
  • “For those in need, our hunger relief program often means the difference between having enough to eat and doing without sufficient nutrition. We help hundreds of individuals across the Greater Washington Jewish community put proper food on their tables with dignity.”
• Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger
  • “For 40 years, MAZON has been fighting for systemic change. We refuse to accept that anyone in the U.S. or Israel struggles with hunger. We believe that together, we can transform how it is into how it should be.”
• World Central Kitchen
  • “WCK is first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.”
• Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington
  • “[S]erves as the Jewish community’s financial safety net serving hundreds of individuals from every Jewish neighborhood in the Greater Washington area.”

Passover Readings and Resources

The views and opinions expressed by the organizations featured on this guide and on this website are solely those of the original organizations. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the organization GatherDC, the GatherDC staff, the GatherDC board, and/or any/all contributors to this site.