Passover 5781

Chag sameach! Shearith Israel wishes you and your family a joyful, kosher and meaningful Passover holiday in these particularly challenging, unique times. Below please find a variety of information regarding preparing your home for Passover, tips and resources for seders during these days of social distancing, the rituals of searching for and burning chametz (unleavened products), a form to sell your chametz, and a schedule of CSI's Passover services for which we will gather online via Zoom.

Passover begins on the evening of Saturday, March 27, 2021, with Yom Tov on Sunday, March 28 and Monday, March 29. 

The final two days of Passover are Yom Tov as well, beginning Friday evening, April 2 through Sunday night, April 4. Yizkor will be recited during Yom Tov morning services on Sunday, April 4 at approximately 11am. 

Passover Service Times:

All services are being held virtually on Zoom via the button below. 

Services via Zoom - Gather Here

You may be prompted to enter the following information:

 

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CLEANING AND KASHERING FOR PESACH (COVID-19 EDITION):

The Rabbinical Assembly Guide provides a comprehensive review of the ways that different kinds of dishes, utensils, and cookware can be made Kosher for Passover. There is also great guidance to which foods are permissible and which are forbidden.  

During this time when restaurants are closed, and visits to the grocery story should be minimized, I recommend that we begin the process of preparing our homes for Passover a few days earlier, if we are able.  

1. Start by making the kitchen and dining area the only place that Chametz can be consumed.  
2. Move one room at a time, with a thorough vacuum, sweep, and wipedown of all surfaces. Go under couches and into cushions. Any place that a crumb might have fallen deserves to be checked.
3. When you’re ready for a “Chametz free home” move onto the Kitchen and dining areas. Consult the guide for advice.  

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SHOPPING:

This comprehensive list makes Passover shopping so much easier! You’ll be fine as long as you thoroughly avoid any wheat, barley, oat, spelt, or rye products. Lots of natural foods like fruits, vegetables, Kosher meat, fish, and dairy products are great!  

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SEDER TIPS AND RESOURCES:

Rabbi Kaiman's Virtual Seder Preparation Guide

Kveller Article on Preparing a Seder

My Jewish Learning - Basic Seder Tips

Ron Wolfson on Passover Seder During Pandemic

Tips for a solo or small Seder

Ron Wolfson - tips for a memorable seder

Four Children and COVID-19

CSI's Virtual Haggadah Prepared by Rabbi Kaiman

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Mechirat Chametz - Selling Chametz

Visit the link below to complete a short form to sell your leavened products and other food not acceptable during Passover. If possible, all Chametz, or materials containing such unacceptable food - should be destroyed or given away before the holiday begins. Should this be impossible, the Chametz may be stored in such a way that you are sure not to use it during the holiday and its actual ownership is transferred to a non-Jew until the holiday ends.

5781 / 2021 Sale of Chametz Form

The deadline to complete the form is Friday morning, March 26 at 11am. Have a meaningful and kosher holiday!

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Bedikat Chametz - Searching for Leaven

The ritual of Bedikat Chametz, searching for leaven, is traditionally performed the night before Passover begins. This year the search for chametz takes place on Thursday night, March 25. The items used in a Bedikat Chametz kit include a feather, paper bag, and a candle. Click here for further instructions, including the blessing, to perform the ritual of Bedikat Chametz, an act of physical and spiritual cleansing.

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Biur Chametz - Burning of the Chametz

All chametz gathered during the ritual of Bedikat Chametz should be burned on Friday, March 26 before 12pm. The community is invited to bring chametz to be burned in a small bonfire in the Shearith Israel parking lot on Friday, March 26 from 9:30- 10am. Click here for instructions, including the recitation, to perform the ritual of Biur Chametz.

Chametz may be eaten until 11:14am on Shabbat, March 27. 

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PASSOVER 5781 SERVICE TIMES

Services via Zoom - Gather Here

For a list of Passover service leaders and candle lighting times, visit our davening page here.

thursday, march 26

6:50am - Morning Services

8am Seudah of First Born w/ Mishnah Study

7pm Evening Services

After dark: Bedikat Chametz (searching for leaven). See above for details.

friday, march 26

7am - Morning Services

9:30- 10am Biur Chametz (Burning of Chametz) at CSI Parking Lot 

Before 12pm - Biur Chametz (See above for details.)

7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat / Ma'ariv

saturday, march 27

9am Shabbat HaGadol Morning Services

11:14am Last time chametz may be eaten

8:15pm Ma'ariv

8:25pm Earliest halachic time for Seder

1st seder

sunday, march 28

9am Yom Tov Morning Services

8:30pm Mincha/Ma'ariv

monday, march 29

Pesach II

9am Yom Tov Morning Service

8:30pm Mincha/Ma'ariv

tuesday, march 30

6:50am - Morning Services

7pm Evening Services

wednesday, march 31

6:50am Morning Services

7pm Evening Services

Thursday, April 1

6:50am Morning Services

7pm Evening Services

friday, April 2

6:50am Morning Services

7:30pm Mincha/Ma'ariv

saturday, April 3

9am Yom Tov Morning Services

8:15pm Mincha/Ma'ariv

sunday, April 4

9am Yom Tov Morning Services / Yizkor

8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv/Havdalah

8:35pm Chametz can be eaten