Passover 5785
KASHERING HOMES AND OFFICES FOR PASSOVER
It is a mitzvah to make one’s home and place of employment kosher for Passover. This includes getting rid of leavened products and, since a Jewish person is not meant to “own” hametz during the holiday, we also temporarily “sell” it to someone who is not Jewish during the holiday (see below). Please consult the Rabbinical Assembly's complete guide for kashering, which can be found HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: In 2015, the Rabbinical Assembly passed a resolution permitting the consumption of kitniyot (legumes, e.g. corn and beans) on Passover, which was previously not permitted according to Ashkenazi custom. This is now one acceptable resolution in the Conservative Movement. At the GRJC we will continue to follow the Ashkenazi custom of not eating kitniyot on Passover.
PLEASE NOTE: In 2015, the Rabbinical Assembly passed a resolution permitting the consumption of kitniyot (legumes, e.g. corn and beans) on Passover, which was previously not permitted according to Ashkenazi custom. This is now one acceptable resolution in the Conservative Movement. At the GRJC we will continue to follow the Ashkenazi custom of not eating kitniyot on Passover.
OBSERVING PASSOVER AT GRJC
In an effort to properly clean and make the Glen Rock Jewish Center kosher for Passover, we kindly ask that you refrain from bringing hametz into the shul kitchen after April 10. Please also refrain from bringing hametz into the building in general after April 11. You can bring hametz into the building after Pesach ends, on April 21.
SELLING YOUR CHAMETZ
It is considered a mitzvah to not possess or own any hametz (leavened products) during the duration of the holiday of Passover. Of course, the rabbis of long ago were concerned about the financial set-back that one would incur by disposing of expensive hametz (like whiskey) so they created a loophole whereby your hametz is temporary “sold” to someone who is not Jewish during Pesach without even leaving your house! Therefore, when one sells his/her hametz it is no longer in his/her “possession.”
One need not physically transfer their hametz to another person. Rather, one just places it (covered) in a designated area of their home or office for the duration of the holiday until it is "sold" back to them after the holiday is completed. It is an important mitzvah that requires only your signature (or electronic signature, like below). Typically, one gives to tzedakah through the rabbi or donates to other causes, especially those that support people who are hungry or in need before Pesach. Complete this sale of hametz form through Rabbi Schlosberg to have your hametz sold on your behalf. Please note that this form is only for those who live/work in the Eastern Time zone. A firm deadline of 11:59 pm on April 10 will be observed. Please allow enough time for the post-holiday transaction before consuming it (around 9:00 pm Eastern on April 20).
When selling your hametz, it is customary to donate to a cause that supports people who are hungry or in need. This is the mitzvah of ma'ot chitin. Please donate using the links in the Ma'ot Chitin section below.
One need not physically transfer their hametz to another person. Rather, one just places it (covered) in a designated area of their home or office for the duration of the holiday until it is "sold" back to them after the holiday is completed. It is an important mitzvah that requires only your signature (or electronic signature, like below). Typically, one gives to tzedakah through the rabbi or donates to other causes, especially those that support people who are hungry or in need before Pesach. Complete this sale of hametz form through Rabbi Schlosberg to have your hametz sold on your behalf. Please note that this form is only for those who live/work in the Eastern Time zone. A firm deadline of 11:59 pm on April 10 will be observed. Please allow enough time for the post-holiday transaction before consuming it (around 9:00 pm Eastern on April 20).
When selling your hametz, it is customary to donate to a cause that supports people who are hungry or in need. This is the mitzvah of ma'ot chitin. Please donate using the links in the Ma'ot Chitin section below.
MA'OT CHITIN
It is customary to donate money to a charity that helps support people who are in need, especially those who need help to observe the expensive holiday of Pesach. We encourage you to make donations directly to organizations that could use your support, including the following:
• Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger.
• Leket Israel: Leket Israel is the leading food rescue organization in Israel.
• Jewish Family & Children's Services (earmark donation for "food insecurity.")
• The Rabbi's Discretionary Fund at the GRJC. Rabbi Schlosberg will divide the donations equally among all three organizations on your behalf. Please earmark your donation for "Ma'ot Chitin."
• Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger.
• Leket Israel: Leket Israel is the leading food rescue organization in Israel.
• Jewish Family & Children's Services (earmark donation for "food insecurity.")
• The Rabbi's Discretionary Fund at the GRJC. Rabbi Schlosberg will divide the donations equally among all three organizations on your behalf. Please earmark your donation for "Ma'ot Chitin."
SEDER RESOURCES
• Passover Seder Highlights with Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg (videos of explanations/prayers for different parts of seder)
• Seder Melodies by the Cantor's Assembly (audio playlist)
• PJ Library Passover Printables
• ExploringJudaism Passover Articles
• Prayer for Hostages
• Prayer for Hostages (using an empty seat)
PASSOVER-RELATED TIMES FOR GLEN ROCK, NJ
Thursday, April 10
8:00 pm: Begin performing bedikat hametz (the search for hametz) now (or later tonight). Click HERE for a guide on this ritual and related prayers. This should be done after cleaning the house and removing/setting aside hametz. One can still eat hametz in the home (provided he/she eats it in a very contained area) but must stop eating it by the times listed below.
8:00 pm: Begin performing bedikat hametz (the search for hametz) now (or later tonight). Click HERE for a guide on this ritual and related prayers. This should be done after cleaning the house and removing/setting aside hametz. One can still eat hametz in the home (provided he/she eats it in a very contained area) but must stop eating it by the times listed below.
11:59 pm: Deadline to sell your hametz through Rabbi Schlosberg.
Friday, April 11
11:51 am: Finish burning any hametz before this time. Click HERE for the passage to recite after burning remaining hametz in the morning.
7:15 pm: Candle lighting for Shabbat only. Before candle lighting, be sure to light a yahrtzeit, or other 25-hour candle, to use tomorrow night for the holiday candle lighting.
Saturday, April 12
10:44 am: Finish eating any hametz before this time.
11:50 am: Nullify hametz before this time by reciting the final passage HERE.
Friday, April 11
11:51 am: Finish burning any hametz before this time. Click HERE for the passage to recite after burning remaining hametz in the morning.
7:15 pm: Candle lighting for Shabbat only. Before candle lighting, be sure to light a yahrtzeit, or other 25-hour candle, to use tomorrow night for the holiday candle lighting.
Saturday, April 12
10:44 am: Finish eating any hametz before this time.
11:50 am: Nullify hametz before this time by reciting the final passage HERE.
8:15 pm: Holiday candle lighting after this time from an existing flame with Shechechiyanu blessing. Be sure to light a new yahrtzeit, or other 25-hour candle, to use tomorrow night for the second night holiday candle lighting from an existing flame.
Sunday, April 13
8:16 pm: Candle lighting for second night of Passover after this time from an existing flame with Shechechiyanu. Also count the first day of the Omer after this time. Stay tuned for a detailed Omer calendar.
Friday, April 18
7:23 pm: Candle lighting with Shabbat and holiday blessing (no Shechechiyanu). Before you recite the blessings over candles, be sure to light a yahrtzeit, or other 25-hour candle, to use tomorrow night for the last night holiday candle lighting.
Saturday, April 19
8:22 pm: Candle lighting (holiday blessing only, without Shechechiyanu).
Sunday, April 20
Sunday, April 13
8:16 pm: Candle lighting for second night of Passover after this time from an existing flame with Shechechiyanu. Also count the first day of the Omer after this time. Stay tuned for a detailed Omer calendar.
Friday, April 18
7:23 pm: Candle lighting with Shabbat and holiday blessing (no Shechechiyanu). Before you recite the blessings over candles, be sure to light a yahrtzeit, or other 25-hour candle, to use tomorrow night for the last night holiday candle lighting.
Saturday, April 19
8:22 pm: Candle lighting (holiday blessing only, without Shechechiyanu).
Sunday, April 20
8:31 pm: Passover ends. Can begin eating any new hametz that you purchase now. If you sold your hametz through Rabbi Schlosberg, please wait until 9:00 pm to consume this hametz.
PASSOVER BLESSINGS AND CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
Click HERE for the blessings and candle lighting times.
PASSOVER SERVICE SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 10 at Temple Israel - 475 Grove Street, Ridgewood
8:00 am: Siyum for Taanit Bechorot (Fast of the Firstborn)
It is a mitzvah for first born males to fast on the morning before Pesach. Instead of fasting, however, you could choose to attend a study session where we complete a section of rabbinic text. Completion of this Jewish text study exempts first borns from the obligation to fast. Guest rabbi, Rabbi Efrem Reis of Teaneck will lead us in a brief study session after completing study of Maskehet Sanhedrin. Study will be followed by bagels, schmear and coffee. Please sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Sunday, April 13
9:00 am: Holiday services for the first day of Passover. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Monday, April 14
9:00 am: Holiday service for the second day of Passover. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Friday, April 18
7:00 pm: Shabbat Service and 7th evening Pesach service.
8:00 am: Siyum for Taanit Bechorot (Fast of the Firstborn)
It is a mitzvah for first born males to fast on the morning before Pesach. Instead of fasting, however, you could choose to attend a study session where we complete a section of rabbinic text. Completion of this Jewish text study exempts first borns from the obligation to fast. Guest rabbi, Rabbi Efrem Reis of Teaneck will lead us in a brief study session after completing study of Maskehet Sanhedrin. Study will be followed by bagels, schmear and coffee. Please sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Sunday, April 13
9:00 am: Holiday services for the first day of Passover. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Monday, April 14
9:00 am: Holiday service for the second day of Passover. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Friday, April 18
7:00 pm: Shabbat Service and 7th evening Pesach service.
Saturday, April 19
9:00 am: Shabbat and 7th day service.
Saturday, April 19
7:30 pm: Last night Pesach service with Yizkor. Sign up to help make minyan HERE.
Sunday, April 20
9:00 am: 8th Day Pesach service with Yizkor. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
Sunday, April 20
9:00 am: 8th Day Pesach service with Yizkor. Sign up to help make a minyan HERE.
COUNTING THE OMER
The Omer is the 49-day period beginning the second evening of Passover and ending the day before Shavuot. It is the countdown (really the count-up) to receiving the Torah on Shavuot. We count the days and weeks of this period, from 1 to 49. The counting is done in the evening, beginning this year on the evening of Sunday, April 13 and ending the evening of Saturday, May 31. Check back here soon to download/print the calendar for this year.
Thu, April 3 2025 5 Nisan 5785