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Burlington's Jewish Community Celebrates First Night of Passover
Chabad in Burlington holds Seder as community focuses on joy of Judaism amid rising antisemitism
Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:09am
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The Jewish community in Burlington, Vermont celebrated the first night of Passover on Wednesday with a Seder at Chabad. Despite increased security measures due to rising antisemitism, the congregation chose to focus on the joy and miracles of the holiday rather than dwelling on recent challenges.
Why it matters
Passover is an important annual celebration for the Jewish community, commemorating the biblical story of the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt. However, the holiday comes amid a concerning trend of increased antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad, underscoring the need for the community to come together in the face of adversity.
The details
At the Seder held at Chabad in Burlington, Rabbi Eliyahu Junik led his congregation in observing the traditional rituals and reflecting on the meaning of freedom. While extra security measures were in place due to the recent rise in antisemitic incidents, the focus was on celebrating the joy of Judaism and remembering the miracles that freed the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage.
- Passover began on the evening of Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
- The first Seder at Chabad in Burlington was held on the evening of Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
- There will be another Seder at Chabad on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
The players
Rabbi Eliyahu Junik
The rabbi at Chabad in Burlington who led the Seder celebration on the first night of Passover.
Chabad
A Jewish community center and synagogue in Burlington, Vermont that hosted the Passover Seder.
What they’re saying
“Due to the situation, we will have a lot of security measures for tonight. But tonight, we choose to focus not so much on antisemitism, but rather, on the joy of Judaism. We come here to celebrate together, to remember the miracles God performed for us.”
— Rabbi Eliyahu Junik, Rabbi, Burlington Chabad
What’s next
There will be another Seder at Chabad on Thursday, April 3, 2026, and the Passover holiday will continue for seven more nights, with Jewish observers eating unleavened bread like matzah until the holiday ends.
The takeaway
The Passover celebration in Burlington highlights the resilience and determination of the Jewish community to come together and find joy in their traditions, even in the face of rising antisemitism. By focusing on the spiritual and communal aspects of the holiday, the congregation is able to find strength and unity during challenging times.
