Hi! I've seen people send asks about Judaism to your blog, and I have a question for you, if you're okay with that: How do you (and the Jewish community in general, if you can answer that) feel about Christians celebrating their own version of passover?
Hi there!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful question.
My name is Josh (he/him/his) and I’m a student rabbi living in NYC.
I and – to the best of my knowledge– most Jews feel that it is abhorrent for Christians to celebrate their own version of Passover. I firmly believe that it is not only an act of appropriation (Passover is a Jewish holiday developed over the past 3000+ years, the past 2000+ through a rabbinic lens) but it is also an act of antisemitism. Historically Passover (i.e. Easter time) is a time where Christians created antisemitic lies that sought to hurt Jews. The blood libel is the particular lie that I am referring to here. (But there are many others)
I’ve noticed that several well-meaning Christians attempt to Christianize Jewish holidays and traditions and making them all about Jesus. Sadly, ignorance creates a rather dark shadow in which several people forget history and try to rewrite a tradition that is not their own, in a way that truly scares me and other Jews half to death.
Passover is a holiday that celebrates Jewish freedom against tyranny, against slavery and persecution. It celebrates life and light, tradition and bravery, heroism and justice. Appropriating Passover as a non-Jew not only appropriates someone else’s holiday, but it spits in the face of all of the reasons why we celebrate Passover– especially as a Christian who is a part of a system who has historically oppressed and hurt the Jewish People.
We are living in a time where Jews are being murdered in their synagogues. We are living in a time where Jews are being hurt in the streets to which they live. We are living in a time where Jews are being questioned about their politics on Israel to determine if they are a “good Jew” or a “bad Jew.” We are living in a time where white nationalism is rising in the United States and around the world. We are living at a time where people are continuing to try and erase the identity of Jews and the Jewish People- and that’s exactly what appropriating Easter does. This goes for folks who wish to celebrate it without elements of Christian tradition, as well as for folks who wish to celebrate it with elements from Christian tradition. A non-Jew celebrating a Jewish holiday the ‘right way’ is still appropriation, unless said non-Jew is working to convert to Judaism and join their Jewish family in the celebration of their freedom as well.
So, what do you do if you’re a Christian and you’d like to celebrate Passover? Unless you are invited to a Passover seder by your Jewish friend, do not celebrate Passover. Unless you are the spouse, parent, child, best friend, or other close person to a Jew helping to support their Jewish loved one(s)’ celebration of Passover, just don’t do it. It’s not cool, it’s not appropriate, and will only hurt your Jewish friends (and family). The same goes for celebrating every other Jewish holiday, festival, or doing Jewish rituals.
I will be one of the first people to invite non-Jewish friends or family to Jewish events. On the same token, I love to be invited to Christian, Muslim, and events for other faith traditions. I think interfaith discussion is one of the most important keys to our futures as human being. But that said, inviting someone into your home and into your tradition is different than borrowing their home or tradition.
Thank you again for your really thoughtful question. I hope that you are having a lovely evening!
l’shalom,Josh
TL;DR- non Jews should not practice Jewish rituals or celebrate Jewish holidays on their own for their benefit. We’d love to invite you to our rituals and celebrations - we’re warm and inclusive. Just do it on our terms.























