For Ari Hart, rabbi at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, Passover represents freedom, family and faith. Known as Pesach in Hebrew, Passover celebrates the freedom of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. During Passover, observers cannot eat leaven, a type of yeast, in any form. Instead, they can only eat matzo, an unleavened bread. Matzo.
“There is public art in Skokie and Chicago,” says the Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie rabbi who tapped his friend Rabbi Yitzchok Moully to create the mural. “But there isn’t Jewish public art. And that’s what I wanted.”
The annual celebration features floats, including Chabad’s giant menorah, marching bands and other special entertainment, and draws a crowd of thousands.