What is a Passover Program?
Passover programs are run by tour operators who take over all or part of a hotel or resort for the entire holiday of Pesach. Guests book their Pesach vacation through the tour company. The holiday of Passover is very labor intensive if you stay home: cleaning the house of all chametz (food with leavening agents), shopping for Passover products (you can’t use anything that you use during the year) and cooking for all the meals. Therefore, many people choose Pesach for their family vacation as a way to spend time with family and avoid the work of making Passover at home.
The programs are usually all inclusive, providing all the meals, offering programming for kids and adults as well as evening entertainment. Some Passover program include flights from Israel, USA and Europe. There are Passover programs for different budgets so obviously the price will impact the amenities, accommodations and activities offered by the programs.
Why do People go on Passover Programs?
One of the main reasons that people go away for the Pesach holiday is so they don’t have to do the heavy lifting associated with the holiday. It’s an ideal time to let someone else take care of the shopping and cooking. Many children are on vacation for the entire week of Passover so it’s a good time for a family vacation since the kids aren’t in school.
Many extended families attend a Passover program together for a family reunion. Many families live far away from each other so Pesach is an ideal time to meet up, have seder together and let the cousins get to know each other. For some people, it’s an opportunity to meet new people and make friends from other places. It’s also a great way to see the world by visiting different countries each year.
What do people do at Passover Programs?
So much to tell and so little space. Passover programs aren’t only about the food (only mostly about the food). There is the religious component of daily minyanim, shiurim and lectures for those who want it. Some programs also offer the opportunity to fulfill continuing education credits, such as CME and CLE credits, but you have to check which programs are offering these courses. Most programs offer children and * programming, which will depend on the program and your budget. They often have day camp for the children, teen programming and * lectures.
There is usually evening entertainment on chol hamoed with known performers. Some Pesach program, especially the higher end ones, compete with each other by bringing in named celebrity singers, comedians and scholars-in-residence. Many programs take place at resorts that offer pools, spa treatments, golf courses, water sports, beaches and other amenities. Many people choose a program in an area that they are interested in touring. Some Passover programs offer guided tours with a boxed lunch (it’s mostly about the food), either included or additional cost.