Algeria had an ancient Jewish community, dating to the 1st Century CE. Many Sephardic Jews fled to Algeria from Iberia following the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal in the 15th Century. These Western Sephardic Jews baked what I think is the most beautiful matzah for Passover.

The son of Rameses II, Pharaoh Merneptah, had the word “Israel” inscribed in hieroglyphics on a Stele, or monument. This 3,228 year old inscription is the oldest mention of the People of Israel ever found. It was discovered in Thebes. It says:

“Canaan is captive with all woe.
Ashkelon is conquered, Gezer seized,
Yanoam made nonexistent;
Israel is laid waste, bare of seed.”

When the Israelites left Egypt more than 3,300 years ago, they were in a bit of a hurry and didn’t wait around for their bread to rise. Observant Jews still commemorate their exodus by skipping the leavening during the eight days of Passover. Regular flour is not used in food preparation for fear that it may have come into contact with water, thereby activating the rising process. I see baking without flour made from grain as an opportunity for creativity. In that spirit, here is an Israeli recipe that complies with the special rules of Passover.

Celebrate the liberation of the Ancient Israelites from slavery by decorating Miriam’s tambourine. Make sure to make some noise during the Seder!

Matzah is also called the bread of affliction. It is a type of flatbread. When the Israelites prepared to flee Egypt, they mixed and baked the dough so quickly that it did not have time to rise.

Claudia Roden was the first author to record Sephardic recipes in a cookbook. They had always been passed orally from mother to daughter before.

Make Your Own Map of the Exodus from Egypt