As Israel enters its fifth week of war with Iran, Passover approaches during a time of ongoing uncertainty. In times like these, attention often turns to the traditions and customs that have carried generations through both hardship and renewal.
Against
this backdrop, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) is
sharing rare images from its photo archives documenting Passover across the
years. The images—some of
them dating from before the declaration of the State of Israel, reflect enduring elements of
Jewish life, including tradition, education, and communal practice, even during
times of uncertainty.
Among
them are a photograph from the 1920s showing kindergarten children preparing
matzah dough; documentation from a festive Passover parade for Israeli soldiers
in 1948, the year of Israel’s independence; and families in Jerusalem’s Mea
She’arim neighborhood participating in the burning of chametz in 1983, a year marked by the effects
of the Lebanon War. Though decades apart, the scenes show how holiday practices
supported community connection and hope during periods of instability.
The
archival materials also include a wall newspaper produced in the 1950s and
1960s by KKL-JNF’s Education Department and displayed in Jewish schools in
England. The poster depicts the Exodus from Egypt alongside images of
agricultural work, tree planting, and communal life in the Land of Israel,
illustrating how Passover was given renewed meaning in the Zionist era as a
bridge between a biblical narrative and a modern vision of national renewal.
Efrat
Sinai, Director of Archives at KKL-JNF, notes: “These photographs show how
people held onto tradition, community, and hope during uncertain periods.
Viewed today, they highlight both historical experience and the sources of
resilience that continue to shape Jewish life. Passover appears here as a
living educational framework, a connection between Jewish communities in Israel
and abroad, and a reflection of the strength of these communities across
generations.”
KKL-JNF’s
photo archive, which contains tens of thousands of historical photographs,
serves as a living chronicle of life in the Land of Israel and beyond.
Together, these materials remind us that the story of Israel has never been
defined by hardship alone, but also by its ability to hold onto hope,
tradition, and the promise of brighter days ahead.
