PASSOVER PREPARATION 2010…

Passover is celebrated from Monday night, March 29, through Tuesday night, March 30. The Sederim are held on Monday and Tuesday nights, March 29 and 30.  All cleaning and preparations to make the house Pesadik (Kosher for Passover) must be completed by 10am, Monday, March 29.  If you have any questions, please consult with the Rabbi.

1. What is Hametz? If one of the five grains-wheat, oats, rye, barley or spelt-comes in contact with water after being cut off from the ground, it becomes fermented or Hametz.

2. Why do Ashkenazim not eat “Kitniyot”, beans, rice, corn, or peas on Pesach?  Although these are not among the five species of grain that can become Hametz, the Rabbis forbade their use because flour was made from them.  Ashkenazic Rabbis ordained that “Kitniyot” (legumes listed above) not be used at all.  Sephardic Jews do not observe these restrictions.  Non-flour products such as peanut oil may be used if they are prepared under Rabbinic supervision and properly certified.

3. Why must we clean our house so thoroughly before Pesach?

The rule against Hametz applies not only to eating but to enjoyment (hana’ah) and also involves removing all the Hametz from one’s home.  No Hametz is even allowed to be in our possession during Passover.    To facilitate this cleaning, the following rituals are part of the Passover preparation.  The text for this ceremony can be found in Haggadah:

a) Bedikat Hametz – After the house has been cleaned on Sunday night, March 28, we search once again for any crumbs of Hametz we may have missed.  “Searching for Hametz” is a great family activity.  We use a candle, a feather, and a wooden spoon.  This symbolizes that all the Hametz which we could see was removed.

b) Bittul Hametz – We recite a formula renouncing any Hametz left that we may have inadvertently missed, canceling our responsibility for it, and thus symbolically removing it from our homes.  The formula for Bittul Hametz is recited whenever you stop eating Hemetz either befor Shabbat or after Shabbat.

c) Be’ur Hametz – On the morning before Passover, we burn or throw out the Hametz that has been found during the search the night before.  This ceremony should take place by 10am on Monday, March 29.

d) Michirat Hametz – We do not destroy or get rid of all the Hametz as that would be wasteful.  The Rabbis ordained that a symbolic sale is made of all Hametz to a non-Jew in the community, who then sells it back to us after Pesach.  The Hametz is then no longer “in our posses-sion.”  This is done by filling out the form at the end of this article or at the Temple office.  Incidentally, it is only necessary to sell foodstuffs; dishes and utensils are simply locked away in storage for the duration

of Passover.

4. What foods may not be used during Passover?  All these foods are considered Hametz and may not be used:  Leavened bread, cake, biscuits, crackers, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rice, peas, dry beans, and liquids which contain ingredients made from grain alcohol.

5. What foods require Rabbinic supervision for Passover?  Matzah, noodles, candies, cakes, beverages, canned and processed foods, jam, hard cheese, jelly, relish, wines, liquors, salad oils, vegetable gelatin, shortening vinegar.  A “Kosher L’Pesach” label or tag without product name and Rabbinic signature is of no value.  This applies to products made in America, Europe or Israel.

6. What goods require no certification?  Pure natural coffee  (instant or ground), sugar (not confectioners or powdered), brown sugar, sac- charin, tea, salt, pepper, vegetables (dry beans and peas are forbidden; string beans permitted), pure garlic and onion powder, dried fruit, honey, Hershey’s cocoa, pure unadulterated safflower or soybean oil, natural peanut butter, dish detergent, and scouring powder.  All these items should be bought before Passover and left unopened until Passover begins.

7. May canned or frozen fruits and vegetables be used for Passover?  Fruits and vegetables normally permitted for Passover use when packed in water or their own juices may be used.  Avoid cans or packages containing any added ingredients.

8. May tuna or salmon be used?  Oil packing introduces an uncertain element possibly continuing additional ingredients.  Therefore, use the water-packed variety and purchase it before Passover.

9. May milk without a Hechsher be used?  Yes, with automation used in milk production, there is little chance for milk to contain Hametz.

10. Can any dishes or utensils used during the year be used on Passover?  It is preferable to have dishes and utensils specifically reserved for Passover and stored away during the rest of the year.  However, since this is not always possible, the Rabbis ordained that certain types of utensils may be “kashered”, specifically cleaned for Passover.  However, earthenware, enamelware or porcelain utensils,    if used during the year, may not be used during Pesah.

11. How may utensils be “kashered” for Passover?  A. Silverware, knives, forks, spoons made wholly of metal if used during the year may be koshered by scouring thoroughly and then immersing in boiling water

ARE YOU

A FIRST BORN?

The tenth plague was the slaying of the firstborn Egyptians. The firstborn of the Israelites were spared, as the Angel of death passed over homes. As a measure of gratitude, the day leading up to the seder, Erev Pesah, was declared to be a day of fasting for all firstborn Jews. However, according to Jewish tradition, firstborn children become exempt from fasting by attending a SIYYUM, the celebration of study of a Jewish holy book.

Monday March 29, 2010

Join us for Services 7:45 - 8:15 AM

SIYYUM - Presented by Rabbi Ginsburg 8:15 - 8:25AM

A light Hometz Breakfast follows

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CONGREGATIONAL SECOND SEDER

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 – 6:15 PM

PRECEDED BY: MINYAN SERVICE IN CHAPEL AT 5:45 PM

CONDUCTED BY: RABBI JONATHAN GINSBURG &

CANTOR BENJAMIN WARSCHAWSKI

KOSHER PASSOVER CATERING BY Aviv Catering (Rafi),

SUPERVISED BY RABBI GINSBURG

Please mail your check today! Your check is your reservation. Final reservations and cancellations must be received by March 23.

 No refunds after March 23.

Name(s)

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Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Phone # ______________________________ E-Mail address ____________________________________

__________ # of Adults Members at $ 45/person                  = $ ____________________________

__________ # of Adults Non-Members at $ 50/person          = $ ____________________________

__________ # of Children ages 7 to 12 at $ 25                           = $ ____________________________

__________ # of Children ages 3 to 6   at $ 17/child             = $ ____________________________

__________ # of Children ages 2 & under /no charge

__________ Total attending         Total Enclosed                      $ ____________________________

_____ I/We want a vegetarian entrée (salmon)

_____ I/We want a vegan entrée (squash)

Payment must accompany reservation

Payment method.

______ Check (Please make checks payable to ETNTJC – Check # ________________________________

______ Credit Card Visa/Master Card – (Over $ 50)

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# _______________________________ Exp ___________________________________

Authorized signature: ______________________________________________________________

Please list seating preference: ______________________________________________________________

Please list names of all attendees in your group: _______________________________________________

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Any questions, call: (847) 299-9440 or E-mail: carrollflngrp@aol.com

We need volunteers!

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Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation

4500 Dempster St., Skokie, IL  60076  (847)675-4141

HOST OR BE HOSTED

Passover is a special time for family and friends to be together – signing, talking, sharing, laughing, feasting, enjoying. Sadly, there are people who are alone on the most special of nights, the first Seder. Young people who cannot travel to be with parents, parents whose children live far away and cannot return for the holiday, college students, families new to the community, and others.

Won’t you please open your home and Seder to people who may be alone – widows, singles, elderly couples, and college students? You will be rewarded in many ways, not the least of which is by the enrichment they will bring to your Seder discussion.

Welcoming guests for Pesah

5769/2009

Let all who are hungry come and eat.

____ I/We would like to be hosted for 1^st Pesah Seder Wednesday, April 8

Name ________________________________________________________

Phone __________________________ # Adults______ # Children______

Kosher home preferred_________________ not necessary ___________

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I/We can host __________ # of adults _________ # of children for Seder.

Our home _____ is or ____ is not kosher for Pesah.

Name ______________________________ Phone ___________________

Return to Rabbi Ginsburg by April 4, 2009. Feel free to join our Community Seder on the 2^nd night of Pesah. See the attached form.

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Seder Checklist

Before you sit down to Seder, make sure you have everything in readiness. The following list should be of assistance.

Wine

1. Wine decanter on the table.
2. Enough wine for the “four Cups of redemption”.
3. Wine goblet – silver or crystal – for each person.
4. Cup of Elijah – large silver cup.

Matzah

1. Matzah plate for the “Three Matzot”
2. The Matzah cloth.
3. Three matzah – place the into the cloth compartments.
4. One napkin in which to wrap the Afikomen.
5. A separate plate with matzah for the meal.

The Seder Plate

1. The Seder plate itself.
2. Zoro’a – roasted bone or carrot – as a symbol of the Paschal lamb each family sacrificed and ate in ancient times.
3. Beitzah – hard – boiled egg – symbol of the special festival sacrifice offered in the Temple. Also symbol of rebirth.
4. Haroset – peeled apples and nuts ground together mixed with cinnamon and red wine, making a sweet brown paste – symbol of the brick and mortar the Israelites were forced to labor at. Also symbolizes the sweetness of freedom.
5. Maror – the bitter herb, represented by the head of the horseradish root – symbol of the bitterness of slavery.
6. Karpas – the green vegetable, usually a piece of parsley or boiled potato – symbol of springtime’s renewal of life.

Other Items

1. Grated horseradish – ungarnished, in a separate bowl, enough to distribute to each participant for the brakkah.
2. Haroset – a separate bowl of haroset to distribute with the horseradish.
3. Vegetable – a dish of parsley, lettuce or preferably boiled potato, enough for each participant.
4. Salt water – a small dish in which to dip the karpas.
5. Hard boiled eggs – enough for all participants, which will be eaten with the salt water as entrée to the Seder meal.
6. Salt shakers – for salting the matzah when brakkah is made.
7. Pillows – for the head of the household and for anyone else wishing to fulfill the mitzvah of “reclining”
8. Pitcher of water – also a bowl and towel, enough for each participant to wash their hands, first before karpas and again before eating the matzah.
9. Haggadah for each participant.
10. Kipot.

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Chanukah Blessings