Wichita Rabbi Celebrates Passover with Faith and Food

Greenberg hosts seder with symbolic dishes to mark Jewish holiday's meaning of freedom.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:50pm

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Rabbi Shmulki Greenberg of Wichita, Kansas is hosting a Passover seder this week, marking the Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt. Greenberg explains the symbolic meaning behind traditional Passover foods like matzo, bitter herbs, and the shankbone, as the community gathers to celebrate their freedom.

Why it matters

Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays, observed annually to remember the story of the Israelites' liberation from oppression in ancient Egypt. The holiday's themes of faith, freedom, and community resonate strongly, especially as it coincides with the Christian celebration of Easter this year, reminding people of the shared values across religious traditions.

The details

At Rabbi Greenberg's home, the whole family is pitching in to prepare the Passover seder meal, which has 15 specific steps and symbolic foods. The matzo, or unleavened bread, represents the bread the Israelites ate as they fled Egypt. The bitter herbs commemorate the difficult time in slavery, while the shankbone and egg signify the paschal sacrifice. Greenberg says his favorite part is the matzo, which he calls 'the bread of freedom.'

  • Passover begins on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Rabbi Greenberg is hosting the Passover seder on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Rabbi Shmulki Greenberg

A rabbi in Wichita, Kansas who is hosting a Passover seder for his community.

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What they’re saying

“'Finally the Jews were able to leave slavery,' Rabbi Greenberg said of the reason Passover is honored each year.”

— Rabbi Shmulki Greenberg, Rabbi

“'Each one is full of symbolism,' he said. 'You have the zeroa, the shankbone, which commemorates the paschal sacrifice. You have the egg, the sacrifice of the holiday. Then you have two types of bitter herbs, which is to commemorate the difficult time in slavery.'”

— Rabbi Shmulki Greenberg, Rabbi

“'My favorite part is the matzo,' Greenberg said.”

— Rabbi Shmulki Greenberg, Rabbi

What’s next

This year's Passover celebration will be especially meaningful as it coincides with the Christian holiday of Easter, which occurs on the same week about once every 15 years.

The takeaway

Passover remains a deeply significant tradition for the Jewish community, with rituals and foods that carry profound symbolic meaning about the journey from slavery to freedom. As the holiday intersects with Easter this year, it serves as a reminder of the shared values of faith, community, and liberation that transcend religious boundaries.