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KKL-JNF reveals Passover photos from Jewish state’s first decades

The rare archival images depict how the holiday was observed in Israel between 1940 and 1980.

Jewish State, Passover
A festive parade of Jewish soldiers during Passover in Jerusalem in 1948. Credit: Rudolf Jonas, KKL-JNF Archive.

As Passover approaches, KKL-JNF has released a series of photographs documenting the celebration of the holiday during the state’s early years, from the 1940s to the 1980s.

“With Passover approaching, we are pleased to share with the public some exciting scenes from Israel’s history over the decades, preserved in
KKL-JNF’s photo archive,” said Efrat Sinai, archives manager at KKL-JNF.

“The photos showcase the baking of matzah, the search for chametz,
the Passover seder, and the holiday processions. The images reveal to us the beautiful Israel of the past alongside the tradition that has remained unchanged to this day,” she added.

Jewish State, Passover
Matzah being baked in Jerusalem, 1960. Credit: Martha Hallewig, KKL-JNF Archive.

Jewish State, Passover
Three-day march for Passover, Jerusalem, April 1970. Credit: Aviv, KKL-JNF Archive.

Jewish State, Passover
Passover ceremony at the main rabbi’s house in Aden, Yemen, 1949. Credit: Fred Chesnick, KKL-JNF Archive.

Jewish State, Passover
The burning of chametz in Jerusalem’s Mea She’arim neighborhood, 1983. Credit: KKL-JNF Archive.

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