Pesach in Albania: Building a Community, One Seder at a Time

For Albanian Jewry, the decade after Communism was shaped by enormous change, from the mass aliyah of most of its membership to the opportunity for a revival of Jewish life. Now numbering no more than ten families, the community is proud of its heritage and its determination to persevere despite the odds.

Ironically for Albanian Jews who are generally assimilated, it was Pesach that kept them connected to their roots, even during an era when Jewish communal life was prohibited. And it was ultimately Pesach that helped them coalesce once again into an active Jewish community after the fall of the regime in 1991, when JDC reconnected with the country’s remaining Jews.

At that time, Pesach was still the only holiday known to most community members, either through family memories of clandestine celebrations or stories of a secret matzah factory under Communism. After sending matzah from Israel for several years, JDC organized a visit by an Italian youth worker who led one of the first community-wide celebrations in nearly three-quarters of a century – a Pesach seder – in 1995.

Since then, the community has come a long way. JDC continues to send materials, including matzah, but members make the seder on their own. They prepare a festive meal and organize special activities for the youth. The eldest reads the haggadah and tells the story of the holiday’s significance.

With each passing year, the seder brings the community closer together. "Our celebrations, made possible with JDC support, have strengthened our connection with the Jewish people," says Suzanna, the community representative. "We have found the freedom to express our Jewish spirit, not just on Pesach, but year-round."