Passover holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the Jewish people. Its home-based rituals strengthen the very core of our identity: the family. Surely, the family that sings together builds bonds that last lifetimes. What better opportunity to sing together than the annual Passover Seder? As a public service to the Micah community, I direct you to a number of sources for Passover music.

If you need to brush up on your Passover melodies, never learned them in the first place or cannot carry a tune, a new recording from Transcontinental Music Publications is just for you! Songs from A Passover Haggadah includes all the blessings, prayers and songs that are part of a Passover seder. Based on the popular Haggadah published by the CCAR Press, the recording is available in both compact disc and cassette. Leading cantors and soloists of the Reform Movement are the voices in this special recording.

"Songs from A Passover Haggadah is designed to be used either as a listening and learning experience or as background for the seder guests to join with," said Judith Tischler, director of Transcontinental Music Publications. "I can easily imagine listening to it in the car or while cooking chicken soup and matzo balls," she said. "And I'm sure many families will play it during their seders."

As families sing many of the Passover blessings in varied versions, the recording includes multiple versions of several, including the blessings, Ma Nishtana, and V'hi sheamdah. Listeners will also delight to the sound of "Chad Gadya," "Adir Hu" and other Passover melodies. Songs from A Passover Haggadah may be ordered from Transcontinental Music Publications, 800-455-5223, either as a CD, cassette or in a package with the CCAR's Haggadah.

A few CDs are available at Amazon. com, including Songs of the Seder, by Judy Rubenstein. One reviewer wrote, "Judy has a sweet and beautiful voice. She sings the songs, prayers, and chants of the Passover seder simply and slowly so that everyone may learn them and enjoy them. This is a performance that says, 'Come sing with me and we will enjoy the seder together.' " Another selection at Amazon.com is A Taste Of Passover, by Theodore Bikel. A music fan from Champaign, Ill., wrote, "It includes some excellent traditional songs and some new versions of old favorites."

These and other CDs and tapes are available online as well as at Abe's Jewish Book and Gift Store in Silver Spring and Israeli Accents in Rockville. I hope you have a joyous and tuneful Passover.