Pesah (Passover)

Passover Workshop – Who is telling stories at the Seder? You! 
with Jennifer Zunikoff
Sunday, March 16
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
“But I’m just a parent, grandparent, congregant, person... I’m not a storyteller!” You can become a storyteller by telling a story. And, you will become a more lively storyteller by watching two B’nai Israel congregants tell their Passover stories. Not only will you appreciate their tales, you will learn how to tell a unique seder story of your own as you interact with your fellow congregants using the creative art of storytelling.
Click here to register.

Passover Workshop – Cleaning and Kashering: A Crash Course in Passover Preparations
with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, April 1
7:30–9:00 PM
One of the essential ways in which we prepare for Passover is by cleaning our homes and kashering our kitchens. The task may seem daunting, but there are some practical and helpful guidelines to help us prepare for the holiday without feeling burnt out before it even begins. Bring your questions and curiosities to this crash course. Click here to register.

Siyyum Bekhorot
Thursday, April 10
7:15 AM Shaharit followed by Siyyum and Breakfast
Participate in this annual event to exempt oneself from the “Fast of the Firstborn” on this day before Passover. The learning session will be followed by a hametz breakfast!

Matzah Brei Mania
Sunday, April 13
10:30 AM
What would Pesah be without matzah brei? Join us in the kitchen to crumble, mix and fry the matzahs.

Second Night Congregational Seder 
with Cantor Josh Perlman
Sunday, April 13
6:30 PM
Celebrate our freedom with your B’nai Israel family at this congregational seder, led by Cantor Josh Perlman. A traditional, lively, and song-filled seder will include a delicious meal and the greatest humor of our very own Cantor Josh. 

Pesah Pizza Party for Kiddush
Monday, April 14
12:00 PM
Join us during kiddush for this annual tradition for the whole congregation. Make your own matzah pizza with your favorite toppings.

B’nai Israel Young Professionals: Spice it Up Mimouna Style!
Monday, April 21
8:00 PM
Get ready for a festive night filled with vibrant Israeli Mizrahi music, the irresistible taste of  freshly made moufleta and sfenj, delectable Moroccan treats, and a toast of arak to top it all off. Let’s close out Passover with the warmth, flavor, and joy of an authentic Mimouna celebration—you won’t want to miss it!

When Passover begins on Saturday night, the timing of various customs which precede Passover are adjusted for a variety of reasons. The search for hametz, which is typically held on the evening before Erev Passover, is moved to Thursday evening. The Fast of the Firstborn, which is typically held on Erev Passover, is moved to Thursday. Hametz is destroyed on Friday morning, even though we are permitted to continue eating it until Saturday morning (at which time we also recite the nullification statement, which is not said when the hametz is destroyed on Friday). 

Mekhirat Hametz—Selling of Hametz

If one cannot completely remove all hametz from the home during Pesah, Jewish law provides for the conditional sale of hametz to a non-Jew during Pesah. Upon the conclusion of Pesah, the hametz reverts to its original owner. It is customary to make a contribution for ma’ot hittin, providing Pesah food for the needy, when selling hametz. To appoint Rabbi Berkowitz as your agent to sell your hametz by Thursday, April 10, click here to download the paper form, or click here for the online form. Hametz will revert to its original owner at the conclusion of Pesah on Sunday evening, April 20. 

B’dikat Hametz—The Search for Hametz, and Biur Hametz—Burning Hametz

The search for leavened bread takes place on Thursday evening, April 10, after sunset. Sunday evening, April 21, after sunset. Members of the family, equipped with a lighted candle, go from room to room gathering crumbs of bread to ensure that the house has been cleansed of all hametz. Many families have a custom of hiding pieces of bread in order to guarantee that something may be found. 
 
Special b’dikat hametz sets (including a feather, spoon, candle, and instructions) are available from the Sisterhood Judaica Shop. Hametz must be destroyed on Friday, April 11 by 12:03 PM. The last time to eat hametz is on Saturday, April 12 at 10:57 AM.  

Siyyum Bekhorot

On Thursday morning, April 10, all first-borns are urged to join the Siyyum Bekhorot following the 7:15 AM minyan. This observance reminds us that when the first-born of Egypt were slain during the Tenth Plague, the Israelite first-born were saved. In appreciation for this redemption, it is incumbent upon first-born Jewish males to fast on the day before Pesah. This responsibility is nullified when one celebrates the completion of text study.