Passover 2025 - Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley

Passover

Included this year:

Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide Go
SederMatch Go
Siyyum for the First Born: Bagel Breakfast Go
Searching for Chametz Go
Burning of Chametz Go
Form to Sell your Chametz Go
Exploring Judaism's Passover Resource Page Go

Pesach Guide 5785

The Rabbinical Assembly Pesach guide is a brief outline of the policies and procedures relevant to the preparation of a kosher for Pesach home in accordance with the principles of Conservative Judaism and our understanding of Jewish Law.

To download the guide click here.

SederMatch

Are you puzzled by the declaration in the beginning of the Haggadah, where we declare, “All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy come and celebrate Passover?” Said at the dinner table, the only people hearing it are those who are already there. Is it a grand invitation made when the truly needy can’t hear it, or more likely one of the many lessons woven into the Haggadah? Opening our homes to Jews in need includes those who would otherwise be alone. Temple Emanuel’s “SederMatch” is the answer. Maybe you are looking for a place to share Seder or maybe you have a little extra room at your Seder table this year. Or maybe you can make some room? Many wonderful friendships have been made at Seder and we will make the right match for you.

If you can welcome a guest to your Seder or would like to be hosted, please call Sara Gruenspecht at (201) 391-0801 or email her at sara@tepv.org.

The Search for Chametz

The Rabbis of the Talmud stated that "On the evening of the fourteenth [of Nisan], one searches for chametz by the light of a candle [or, lamp]." (Pesachim 2a).

Searching for chametz (bedikat chametz) is a mitzvah we generally do on the evening before the first Seder, followed by ritual destruction (usually by burning) of any found chametz on the morning preceding the first seder. This year, since Passover starts immediately after Shabbat, we do the search a day early, on Thursday night and the burning on Friday morning. To make it fun for children, it is customary to hide ten pieces of chametz (such as bread, crackers, or cereal) in areas where chametz might normally be found. The tradition is to use a candle or flashlight and feather to collect all 10 pieces and perhaps more that are found and place them on something flammable, like a paper plate, napkin, or wooden spoon.

At the end of the search, the chametz and anything that touched it are set aside and one recites a declaration nullifying any chametz that you missed. The final step is to burn the Chametz the following morning. A second declaration is recited during the burning. You can burn it yourself, or bring your chametz to the Cantor's home for a communal burning at 11:15 am Friday morning.

Click here for a printable version of the blessings and declarations from Exploring Judaism.

Siyyum Study Session & Bagel Breakfast

Join us for MORNING SERVICE/SIYYUM STUDY SESSION BAGEL BREAKFAST
Thurday, April 10, 7:00 am in the TEPV Chapel

SIYYUM FOR TA’ANIT BECHOROT (COMPLETION OF STUDY FOR THE FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN)
It is a widespread custom that the firstborn fast on the day before Pesach. This commemorates the divine protection of the Israelite firstborn during the final plague in Egypt. The obligation for a firstborn to fast on Erev Pesach is absolved by taking part in a Siyyum, the completion of Talmud study. Men and women, regardless of whether they are firstborn children, are invited to join the morning service, study session, and breakfast.

Biur Chametz - Buring of the Chametz

Monday, April 22 at 11:15 am (rain or shine) in the driveway of Cantor Alan & Erica Sokoloff

After symbolically checking homes on Thursday night for any chametz, all are invited to the home of Cantor Alan & Erica Sokoloff, 54 Indian Drive, Woodcliff Lake, to burn their chametz. Please place your chametz in a small paper bag, one bag per family. Please RSVP to sara@tepv.org.

How to Sell your Chametz

Please fill out the form and return it by Wednesday, April 9.

Traditionally, any chametz (leavened foodstuffs) not disposed of prior to Passover is put in a sealed cabinet. It is “sold” in a ritual fashion to a non-Jew. Rabbi Monosov will serve as your agent for the sale so that it may be carried out according to Jewish Law. There is no charge for this service, but it is customary to give tzedakah for Maot Hittim (food for the poor). The tzedakah that is collected will be donated to local food pantries. Please download and complete the form linked below and mail/email it to the TEPV office (sara@tepv.org) by early Wednesday morning, April 9. Contributions may be made to “Temple Emanuel – Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund" for charity.

This form can be completed online or printed and mailed. If you email the form, you can mail a check or click the Donate button on the top of this page to make your contribution to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund.

Open/Download the Sale of Chametz Form

Exploring Judaism's Passover Resources

Exploring Judaism is the Conservative Movement's resource web site for learning about just about everything Jewish. The Passover section has readers, guides, kids activities, "how to"s, and the reasons why we observe various customs. You will find many online and printable resources to enhance your understanding of the seder and holiday traditions, as well as articles on preparing your home for the holiday.

Click Here to visit.