Passover Haggadah

The cover of this Haggadah features a map of Israel with Moses leading the Jewish people in the exodus from Egypt to their homeland. Published by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) for use during the Passover seder by Jewish residents of the displaced-persons (DP) camps of Europe following World War II, it was presented by the Joint with “the blessings of the Festival of Freedom.” In the year 1948, Passover occurred in late April, and the new State of Israel was proclaimed approximately two weeks later on May 14, 1948. Supplementing the relief provided by the U.S. Army, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), and the International Refugee Organization (UNRRA’s successor agency), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) distributed additional supplies in the DP camps, including food, medicine, clothing, tools, equipment, and educational, cultural, and religious materials including books, Torah scrolls, ritual articles, and holiday provisions.