Passover is celebrated by Jews every year, commemorating the anniversary of our miraculous Exodus from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Torah.
On the first two nights of Passover (just the first night in Israel), we hold a Seder. After candles have been lit, we enjoy a ritual-rich 15-step feast, which centers around telling the story of the Exodus.
Some highlights include: Drinking four cups of wine, dipping veggies into saltwater, children kicking off the storytelling by asking the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah), eating matzah (a cracker-like food, which reminds us that when our ancestors left Egypt they had no time to allow their bread to rise) and bitter herbs, and singing late into the night.
Beginning on the evening preceding 15 Nissan, Passover lasts for 8 days in the Diaspora and 7 days in Israel.
On Passover, Jews may not own or consume chametz, anything containing grain that has risen. This includes virtually all breads, pastas, cakes and cookies. Prior to the holiday, homes are thoroughly cleaned for Passover, kitchens are purged (here’s how to kosher the kitchen), and the remaining chametz is burned or sold.
Following the intermediate days, when work restrictions are somewhat relaxed but chametz remains forbidden, we celebrate the final two days of Passover (just one day in Israel), during which we look forward to the future redemption through Moshiach (Messiah).
Passover is important to Jews, as it celebrates our birth as a nation.
It is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of Pesach in order to make the most of the holiday. This supplemental reading material is a must-have; it is filled with useful information. Download now!
Mechirat CHAMETZ (Sale Of The CHAMETZ)
In addition to the thorough cleaning of the house before Pesach, we are commanded to completely free ourselves of leavened products (CHAMETZ). Anything made from wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt, which had a chance to leaven (rise or ferment), must be removed from our possession as well as from out sight. To accomplish this goal, there has been a long-standing custom of selling one’s CHAMETZ to a non-Jew who is not bound by this prohibition over Pesach.
This year the sale of CHAMETZ must be done by Sunday, April 21 at 9:00 pm CT using the form below.
Questions? please contact Hazzan Jenna Greenberg at jgreenberg@nssbethel.org.
SELL YOUR CHAMETZ BY CLICKING HERE.
Leading the Seder conversation is a challenge. Let Beth El’s Seder Supplement help you. Consider printing copies of these handouts in advance to spark a Passover discussion at the Seder table. The first handout is for all the guests: it contains a Torah text study and a series of quotes for discussion. While the second handout is for the Seder leader. This one contains Rabbi Freedman’s insights on the Torah study, as well as a series of Seder trivia questions to keep things interesting. Enjoy!
They are two PDF handouts that you can download below:
Text Study: The Seeds of Oppression
What motivates Pharaoh to enslave the Israelites? |Torah: Exodus 1:8-14
Text Study: The Seeds of Oppression
What motivates Pharaoh to enslave the Israelites? | Torah: Exodus 1:6-14
In Every Generation: A Haggadah Supplement for 5784 from the Shalom Hartman Institute.
As we approach Passover, we’re grappling with new questions this year: how can we celebrate freedom when so many are still held captive? How can we call for all who are hungry to come eat, when so many are on the brink of famine? While there are no definitive answers to these questions, this resource will help you explore new perspectives on the age-old Passover themes of persecution, resilience, and redemption. Read it to prepare for the holiday and choose the selections that will enrich your seder table this year.
DOWNLOAD THE HAGGADAH!
Exploring Judaism, the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, provides numerous online resources to help you prepare for Passover including The Passover Preparation Checklist, Passover Kashrut Questions and Answers, Engaging Kids of All Ages in the Passover Seder.
Our Gift Shop is open Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, when school is in session. To schedule a personal browsing visit outside those hours or to learn how you can volunteer to help with shop activities, please call Sulie at 847-558-3389 or Judy at 847-962-8121. Come and see us for all your Pesach needs. In addition to seder items and hostess gifts, we have many wonderful gifts for children, books, toys, games and a lot of frogs . . . and you can buy Jewel cards in the shop (via separate check payable to NS Beth El Sisterhood) any time we’re open!
TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR NEW ITEMS!
Youth program:
Passover Pray & Play
April 23, 24, 29 & 30
11:00 am
Join us on the first two days of Passover as we celebrate with songs, prayers and kosher-for-Passover sweet treats.
We will begin down in the Horwitz Hoffman Youth Lounge and then, weather permitting, go out on the playground!
Join us for Pesach services for 2nd through 6th graders and their families to sing some special Pesach prayers, including Hallel, and some fun Passover activities as well!
Sunday, April 21 – Bedikat Hametz
8:45 am Morning Minyan
7:30 pm Ma’ariv
8:15 pm Should search for Hametz at nighttime after.
Monday, April 22 – Fast of the Firstborn/Erev Pesach/1st Seder
7:00 am Morning Minyan followed by study session/ Siyyum Bechorim
8:15 am Breakfast following the Siyyum
10:32 am Last time to eat Hametz
11:41 am Burning of Hametz
6:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
7:23 pm Candlelighting
Tuesday, April 23 – Pesach 1st day/ 2nd Seder
9:00 am Festival Service
7:30 pm Mincha
8:25 pm Ma’ariv
8:28 pm Candlelighting
Wednesday, April 24 – Pesach 2nd day
9:00 am Festival Service
7:30 pm Mincha
8:25 pm Ma’ariv
8:28 pm Yom tov ends
Thursday, April 25 – 1st day of Hol Hamoed
7:30 am Morning Minyan
7:30 pm Evening Minyan
Friday, April 26 – 2nd day of Hol Hamoed
7:30 am Morning Minyan
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Services
7:28 pm Candle Lighting
Saturday, April 27 – 3rd day of Hol Hamoed
9:00 am Shabbat Serrvices
7:15 pm Mincha
8:30 pm Ma’ariv/Havdalah
8:33 pm Shabbat Ends
Sunday, April 28 – 4th day of Hol Hamoed/Erev Yom Tov
8:45 am Morning Minyan
7:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
7:30 pm Candlelighting
Monday, April 29 – Pesach 7th day
9:00 am Festival Service
730 pm Mincha
8:35 pm Ma’ariv
8:35 pm Candlelighting
Tuesday, April 30 – Pesach 8th day/Yizkor
9:00 am Festival Service
7:30 pm Mincha
8:35 pm Ma’ariv
8:36 pm Yom Tov Ends
NOTE: Please don’t eat Chametz before Yom Tov ends.
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