Dear Friends,

Sitting around our much impoverished seder tables last spring, most of us did not quite imagine that this year again we would be preparing for Pesach under such difficult circumstances. While podding and vaccinations and the possibility of outdoor meals may allow some of us to celebrate the upcoming holiday in a more usual way, many of us will be scaling back and gathering with far fewer guests. The sadness and disappointment of being away from friends and family this second year in a row is painful, even as we recognize that pikuah nefesh (preserving human life) remains our tradition’s highest value. L’shana haba’a – next year, please God, may we be able to join together again safely!

Contained below is a compilation of information and resources designed to help our community prepare for the seders and beyond. As always, members of our clergy team are available to speak to individuals one-on-one, answer questions, and offer ideas. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch at any time.

As we dip the bright, green karpas into salt-water later this month, may we feel the hope that is finally starting to emerge after such a long period of struggle.

Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Annie Tucker
Cleaning, Kashering, and Guidance for Passover Which Begins Saturday Night
  • The first seder this year falls on Saturday night which means that our houses should be cleaned for Pesach and rid of hametz by Friday, March 26 at 11:44 am, (except for that which you will be using to make motzi over Shabbat).
  • Bedikat Hametz (searching for hametz) should be conducted on Thursday night, March 25.
  • Motzi on Shabbat may either be made over egg matza – which is not hametz but also not technically matza – or very carefully over challah with crumbs immediately gathered and disposed of. More information can be found here.
  • Although it is preferable to conduct the entire seder after Shabbat has ended (about 8:00 pm on March 27), it is permissible to begin as early as 6:00 pm. When starting early, it is recommended to initially skip over the most essential elements of the seder and do them later once the holiday has officially begun. Click here for more information.
  • The Rabbinical Assembly's Passover Guide 5781 is a great resource, as is this addendum with additional advice and leniencies for times of pandemic. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards’ letter on streaming seder is also available.

Mechirat Hametz (Selling Hametz)
To appoint me as your agent for selling hametz, please fill out this form which must be received no later than 9:00 am on Friday, March 26. Anyone who would like to do kinyan (affect the transaction) in person, outside, in a socially distanced way should feel free to contact me at a.tucker@templeisraelcenter.org

Ma’ot Hittim (“Wheat Money”)
Before Pesach, it is customary to give ma’ot hittim, gifts to support Passover preparations of those in need. Especially given the significant financial hardships brought on by COVID, we urge anyone who is able to be especially generous this year. Some of us might think about the money we will be saving by having smaller seders and donating those funds to this effort. Donations will eventually be made to the New York Board of Rabbis’ Ma’ot Hittim Fund which serves the entire New York metropolitan area but may be channeled through my Discretionary Fund:

Online donations can be made here or on the website at www.templeisraelcenter.org/secure/Donations. Please choose “Rabbi Tucker’s Discretionary Fund” under "Select Giving Opportunity." The Ma'ot Hittim checkbox will then appear; please make sure to mark it. 
OR
Mail checks payable to “Rabbi Tucker’s Discretionary Fund” to Temple Israel Center, 280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains, NY 10605 with “Ma’ot Hittim” in the memo line. 

Seder Resources
The Haggadah is not meant to be a script that is followed word for word but rather an anthology of resources allowing each leader to create a ritual of learning, telling, questioning, and reciting tailored to the ages, stages, and personalities around the seder table.
  • Check out this curated list of helpful guides, recommended haggadot, and my own personal list of 15 ways to enhance the seder ritual!
  • Join us on Sunday, March 7 from 1:00-2:30 pm for Passover maven Noam Zion's workshop on "Planning a Meaningful and Memorable, Socially Distanced Seder" (use private password Menorah21) and enjoy his fabulous seder supplement. Recordings of this workshop will also be available and can be accessed by emailing Beth Levick at b.levick@templeisraelcenter.org.
  • Listen to gathering guru Priya Parker’s podcast on creating a digital seder experience.
  • Keep your eyes out for a “Seder Supplement 5781” which I’ll be sending as an Erev Shabbat message on March 19.
Holiday Times
Passwords can be found in TIC emails

Thursday, March 25 (Siyyum Bekhorim and Bedikat Hametz)
7:30 am – Join us for minyan in-person or on Zoom followed by a siyyum (completion of learning ceremony) led by members of our congregation who have recently finished studying major sections of Jewish text. In the spirit of celebration which is shared by a whole community, first borns who attend are released from the traditional pre-Passover fast. 
8:00 pm – Evening services in-person and via Zoom 
Bedikat Hametz (Searching for Hametz)

Friday, March 26 (Bi’ur Hametz)
7:30 am – Morning minyan via Zoom.
9:00 am – Latest time to make Rabbi Tucker your agent for selling hametz
11:44 am – Latest time to dispose of hametz (perform this ritual without reciting the blessing beforehand or reciting the nullification afterwards – this is recited on Saturday morning instead)
6:30 pm – Evening services in-person and via Livestream

Saturday, March 27 (Erev Passover) 
9:45 am – Shabbat services in-person and via Livestream
10:28 am – Latest time to eat hametz
11:44 am – Latest time to nullify hametz (with the accompanying recitation) 
7:57 pm – First night candle-lighting (transferring from a pre-existing flame) 

Sunday, March 28 (Passover I)
9:45 am – Holiday services in-person and via Livestream
7:57 pm – Second night candle-lighting (transferring from a pre-existing flame)

Monday, March 29 (Passover II)
9:45 am – Holiday services in-person and via Livestream
7:58 pm – Havdalah
8:00 pm – Evening services in-person and via Zoom

Tuesday, March 30–Thursday, April 1 (Hol HaMoed III-V)
7:30 am – Morning services in-person and via Zoom
8:00 pm – Evening services in-person and via Zoom

Friday, April 2 (Hol Hamoed VI)
7:30 am – Morning services in-person and via Zoom
6:30 pm – Evening services in-person and via Livestream 
7:03 pm – Candle-lighting

Saturday, April 3 (Passover VII)
9:45 am – Shabbat/holiday services in-person and via Livestream (Bar Mitzvah of Noah Ben-Avi)
8:05 pm – Candle-lighting and lighting of Yizkor candle (transferring from a pre-existing flame) 
 
Sunday, April 4 (Passover VIII)
9:45 am – Shabbat/holiday services in-person and via Livestream (Yizkor at approximately 11:00 am)
8:05 pm – Havdalah
8:15 pm – Evening services in-person and via Zoom
8:15 pm – Those who sold their hametz through TIC may now enjoy it!