Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
Cantor Jamie Gloth 
David A. Farbman, President
March 9, 2018 | 22 Adar 5778
Pesach Preparation and Programs
2018-5778
PASSOVER PREPARATION AND PROGRAMS 2018-5778

"Spring has arrived,
and Passover is coming!!!"

(from an Israeli children's Pesach song; to hear it, click on the album!)
Pesach is celebrated this year from  Friday evening, March 30th  through  Saturday evening, April 7th , with the  sedarim  being held Friday and Saturday evening, March 30th and 31st.

The following information is intended to help you prepare for an informed and enjoyable celebration of Passover. We have included: 
* our annual update of "Some Questions and Answers for Proper Passover Observance in the Home" 
* information about purchasing Fair Trade Kosher-for-Passover chocolate
* a call for seder host families for area college students or others looking for a seder 
* a form for the sale of your  hametz
* a schedule of Pesach programs and services

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PROPER PASSOVER OBSERVANCE IN THE HOME

Please click  here  for a complete guide to help you to prepare your home for the Passover holiday! We suggest that you print this guide to have on hand for easy reference as you prepare for the holiday. Please note that at the end of the guide is a note written by Rabbi Perkins regarding the recent development in Conservative Jewish practice concerning the eating of  kitniyot  (rice, millet, corn, beans, peas, etc.) on Passover. 
 
FAIR TRADE KOSHER-FOR-PASSOVER CHOCOLATE 
 
Looking to buy some  kosher for Passover  chocolate this year? Consider buying your chocolate through  Equal Exchange  (endorsed by  T'ruah  and  Fair Trade Judaica ) to support fair trade chocolate. Much of the world's cocoa is still produced in areas that use child labor. Especially on Passover, making ethical consumer choices is particularly meaningful as we celebrate our freedom from oppression. The chocolate does not contain any soy products and is also vegan and gluten free. To purchase, go  here . 
SEEKING SEDER HOST FAMILIES 
FOR AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS
Each year we extend an invitation from Temple Aliyah families to area college students who, because of distance and college obligations, are unable to share Passover with their own families. This is an opportunity to strengthen relations between students and local communities and synagogues. If you can host one or two students, please email  Marie  in the Temple Aliyah office by  Friday, March 23rd , with your name, phone number, and the number of students you can invite.  Thank you very much!

Also, sometimes, members of our own community find themselves in need of a seder as well. Please indicate if you would be willing to host -- and if so, how many you can take. Thank you!
MECHIRAT HAMETZ
This year,  hametz  may be sold on Sunday morning following 9:00 am minyan on March 18th or 25th -- or click  here  for a  hametz  sale form to complete and return to the synagogue office by 9:30 am on Friday morning, March 30th. (The picture on the right gives you some idea of what  hametz  can look like!)
PASSOVER SERVICES AND EVENTS -  
PLEASE JOIN US!

Sunday, March 18th, 11:30-1:30: 
Passover University!

Make your Passover more meaningful! In this synagogue-wide program there will be offerings for everyone of all ages to learn about customs, traditions, and observances relating to Passover. Plan to attend this program as part of your Passover preparations, and add depth to your own Passover observance! Co-Sponsored with Mercaz Aliyah.


Course Offerings:

-Get your feather, spoon and a candle and Go!

-It's Never too Late, But it's Worth Starting Now

-Seder Success

-Bringing Social Justice to your Seder Table!

-Only 4? How the Children of the Haggadah Change over Time

-Is it Kosher for Passover, or is it Chametz?

-The Origin and Development of the "Four Questions"

-Afiko-What?

Mercaz Aliyah will dismiss at 11:30 am, allowing all students and their parents to attend.  

This event comes with lunch!

For course descriptions, please click here . For our flyer, please click here .

For more information contact Alisa Levine or Sharon Solomon .


Friday March 30th:     Siyyum Ha-B'chorim (A festive meal for the first-borns, which obviates the need for them to fast on the day before Passover. All are welcome, even second-, third-, or fourth-borns!) . 7:00 am, followed by The Burning of the Hametz!
 
First Seder
                
Saturday March 31st:      First Day Passover:
                   Yom Tov Shacharit, beginning at 9:00 am
Tefillat Tal (The Prayer for Dew)
(Please note we will also be celebrating the aufruf of Alisa and Glenn Levine's son, Avi and his fiancee, Arielle Asher.)

Second Seder
               
Sunday April 1st:    Second Day Passover:
                     Yom Tov Shacharit, beginning at 9:00 am
 
Friday April 6:      Seventh Day Passover:
                    Yom Tov Shacharit, beginning at 9:00 am
The Song of the Sea is recited              
 
Saturday April 7:      Eighth Day Passover:
                    Yom Tov Shacharit, beginning at 9:00 am
Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) is recited
Yizkor is recited
(Please note also taking place will be Shabbat B'Yachad, Shabbat Meditation at 9:15 am, and our first Pirkei Avot session of the season immediately following kiddush.)


The holiday ends at   8:00 pm on Saturday evening, April 7th.

We wish you and your family a חג כשר ושמח ,
a happy, healthy, kosher and fulfilling Passover!!!