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*Migration Histories > Jewish > Culture and Festivals
* Passover away from home 
 
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Rothschild ward at the London Hospital (now Royal London Hospital)
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A Seder in the Rothschild ward at the London Hospital (now Royal London Hospital) in the early 20th century.
* Moving Here catalogue reference (JML) C 1997.1.p263
Passover, an essentially home-based festival, is one that Jews will mark wherever possible, even if through force of circumstance they are away from home. Arrangements have been made, for example, in prisons and youth offending institutions since the 19th century to enable Jewish inmates to observe the necessities.

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A souvenir brochure commemorating the Sede held near Cassino, in Italy, for Jewish soldiers from the Allied Forces in 1944.r
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A souvenir brochure commemorating the Seder held near Cassino, in Italy, for Jewish soldiers from the Allied Forces in 1944.
* Moving Here catalogue reference (JML) 1989.354
It is also a poignant time for Jewish soldiers serving overseas. Seders were held by the armed forces, wherever they were stationed, in both World Wars.

Captain David Arkush, a Jewish soldier captured by the Japanese, recalled Passover in 1943 when he and many others were working on the infamous Burma-Siam railway:

On Pesach 1943, soon after the arrival of many more Jews from the Dutch forces captured in Java, we had a service after which we served rice cakes and rice coffee in lieu of a Seder. Over 50 Allied prisoners attended including many brought on stretchers. At these services kaddish was recited for those killed in action or who had died on the Railway.
No doubt these prisoners prayed very fervently that next year they would be living in freedom.

Passover continues to be a festival with contemporary resonance. Each year new Haggadot are published, with different perspectives and new insights into the festival and its meanings for Jewish people.

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Creators: Carol Seigel

 
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