As Passover approaches, many of us are preparing to gather with family to retell the ancient story of the Exodus from Egypt. This holiday, centered around remembering and recounting our collective past, presents a perfect opportunity to also preserve our more recent family histories.
Ancient Stories, Modern Memories
The Passover Seder, with its ritual telling of the Exodus story, reminds us of the importance of passing down our heritage from generation to generation. The Haggadah literally means "the telling," guiding us through a narrative that connects us to our ancestors who left Egypt thousands of years ago.
But what about the stories that are much more recent? The grandmother who immigrated from Eastern Europe, the family business that supported generations, or the traditions unique to your family's Passover celebrations?
Capturing Family History at Your Seder
This Passover, consider adding a new tradition to your Seder – documenting your family's stories. Here are a few suggestions:
- Record audio or video of elderly relatives sharing memories
- Take photos of family heirlooms and document their history
- Ask about family recipes and their origins
- Note who attends your Seder and preserve these records
- Collect stories about how previous generations celebrated Passover
A Member's Passover Memory
Beth Zweig, secretary of the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society and Hospitality co-chair of this year’s conference, shares this touching story:
"When I think back to Passover during my childhood, I'm still amazed at my mother's ability to pull off a Seder for 40 people each year with such grace and seeming ease. Preparing her delicious matzah ball soup and brisket only represented the culinary requisites on a Pesach prep list that also included polishing silver, moving furniture and setting tables. In a family ritual the night before the Seder, my father reviewed the Maxwell House Coffee Haggadah with my brother and me. We made sure all guests had a part, whether it was chanting the Four Questions, reciting the plagues, opening the door for Elijah, leading a chorus of Dayenu, or sharing a responsive reading. My father maintained that participants pay more attention when they know they could be called on at any time for Haggadah duty rather than going in order around the tables.
“All these years later, one of my cherished possessions is a copy of the Haggadah marked with loved one's names in my father's handwriting. Participants on the first two pages include my mother, two great-aunts, an aunt, a first cousin once removed, and my in-laws, all of blessed memory. While we have few photos from the Seders, the names in the Haggadah serve as a reminder of many special times and continue to inspire conversations about our family tree."
This beautiful memory illustrates how something as simple as names written in a Haggadah can become a treasured family artifact that preserves connections to loved ones and sparks family conversations.
The IAJGS Connection
As an organization, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and our member societies understand the importance of collecting, preserving, and sharing our family histories. This Passover, we encourage you to take advantage of family gatherings to further this mission.
Don't forget that registration for our 45th Annual IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Fort Wayne, Indiana (August 10-14, 2025) is now open. This year's theme, "And We Settled Here... The Jewish Journey," reminds us that our family histories are part of the broader Jewish journey across continents and generations.
Chag Pesach Sameach
From all of us at IAJGS, we wish you a meaningful Passover. May your Seder tables be filled with family, food, tradition, and many stories worth preserving for future generations.
What family stories or traditions will you document this Passover? Find us on Facebook and share.
