By PAM SCHIFF

This year, the holiday of Passover starts on Friday, April 15.

Passover is one of the major holidays for Jewish people, and it retells the story of the Exodus of the Jewish slaves leaving the tyranny of the pharaoh in Egypt.

Most people know the story of Moses from the Charlton Heston movie: “The Ten Commandments.” Younger generations relate to “A Rugrats Passover.”

And, with the release of travel and mask mandates, families are planning to celebrate in person once again.

"So happy to have our family back together after a long two year long covid battle. It will be the first time the entire family is together in one place," said lifelong Cranston resident, Ed Deluty.

Deluty said 17 members of his family will be attending their Seder.

For many Jewish families, Passover is really the holiday they can enjoy as a family. Since there is no rushing to get to temple for services like with Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. A somber service with a joyous and festive meal and message – the Passover Seder – it also lacks the hectic backdrop of Hanukkah.

Passover has specific foods with specific meanings -- such as the bitter herbs dipped in saltwater to remind us of the tears shed over the bitterness of slavery. The hard-boiled egg is a symbol of spring and life rebirth. And, the most recognized food for Passover is matzoh. Matzo, matzah, or matza is an unleavened flatbread that is part of Jewish culture and is an integral element of the Passover. As the Torah recounts, God commanded the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread during the seven day Passover festival.

For Deluty, he is most looking forward to returning to traditions with family.

"We will have the traditional Seder plate, the Passover Haggadah, and everybody takes turns reading. And best of all Passover food," he said.

While enjoying all the foods, he picked out a few favorites.

"Depending on who you ask, I'm probably one of the few people that likes gefilte fish. Everybody loves the brisket. I remember my grandmother used to make gefilte fish. Oh, chopped liver on matzoh. Yum," he said.

While Jews celebrate Seder for two nights, they observe the holiday for seven days -- which is a long time to go without bread or any leavened foods.

One of the most heated debates amongst families and friends is the style to enjoy matzoh balls in soup. Either light and fluffy as a cloud, or hard and heavy like a grenade.

But, no matter the preferences, people will simply be thrilled to enjoy with others again this year.