WORCESTER, Mass. - It’s the start of the Passover holiday and many could return to a more traditional celebration after two years of COVID-19 precautions. 

Passover commemorates the Jewish people’s exodus from ancient Egypt under the control of the pharaoh.

In the story of the Bible, Moses leads the Jewish people out of Egypt and into Israel 

Executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts Steven Schimmel said they commemorate the holiday with a special Passover dinner, called a seder. He said the different foods symbolize parts of the story. 

“On the center of every Passover table is a seder plate, and on that seder plate are different symbolic foods, symbolizing slavery, symbolizing spring, the sweetness of redemption, salt water, tears,” Schimmel said. “It helps to tell the story while we’re eating the meal.”

Schimmel said it’s nice to celebrate the holiday in person this year, after having limited gatherings the last few years.