A Passover Timeline

Below, please find a basic guide in preparation for Passover.

If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Roy Feldman at rrf@ckj.org

Kashering Utensils

While it is preferable to have as many utensils as possible specially-reserved for use only on Pesach, many utensils used throughout the year may be kashered for use on Pesach. Items that are ‘kasherable’ include: metal utensils used for hot and cold, providing they are not difficult to clean (i.e., a sieve, parts that are glued together), hard plastic utensils, and glass utensils that were used strictly for cold food.

Items that may not be kashered are: glassware that is used for cooking, earthenware, pottery, porcelain, Pyrex, and chinaware.

Items which came into direct contact with chametz, without the medium of water (e.g. a broiler, frying pan) may be kashered by heating them until they are literally ‘red hot’ or by placing them in a self-cleaning oven during the self-clean cycle.

Glass utensils used exclusively for cold drinks should be cleaned carefully and may be used for Pesach.

Step 3 The Search For Chametz

Step 1 Removal Of Chametz

Cleaning the house for Pesach means removing all of the edible Chametz from the areas in our homes we frequent. While spring cleaning is a wonderful thing, in depth cleaning is not a required component of cleaning for Pesach.

Step 2 Kashering Appliances

Gas ovens, both the stovetop and inside (racks as well), should be cleaned with an oven cleaner, and then not used for 24 hours. After 24 hours, invert the metal spiders and turn the burners on to the highest setting for 15 minutes. (If using an electric oven, turn the burners on the highest setting for 15 minutes as well.) The inside oven should be turned on to its highest temperature (often “broil”) for one hour.

If the oven is self-cleaning, go through one cycle.

Microwave ovens should be cleaned, the glass turntable removed, and not used for 24 hours, after which a bowl or cup containing a few ounces of water should be put in and ‘cooked’ until the water is vaporized into steam. A second bowl or cup of water with a few ounces of water should then be put in a different spot in the microwave, and the same procedure should be followed.

Stainless steel sinks should be cleaned with a cleaning solution, and not used for 24 hours, after which boiling water should be poured on every area of the sink and its parts. Porcelain sinks cannot be kashered. They must be cleaned and covered.

Dishwashers may be kashered for Pesach after cleaning the filter and ensuring the dishwasher and its racks are clean and free of food residue, and allowing the dishwasher to stay unused for 24 hours. The dishwasher should then be run on the longest, hottest cycle.

The easiest way to kasher utensils is to bring them to the KJ Kasher-In from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Sunday, March 26, or Monday, March 27, from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, at which time Rabbis Chaim Steinmetz, Roy Feldman, Meyer Laniado, and Daniel Kraus will supervise the immersion of qualifying utensils in a large sink of rapidly boiling water.

It is also possible to kasher in the privacy of your own home. The procedure for kashering is as follows: Metal or plastic utensils should be thoroughly cleaned with a cleaning solution and then not used for 24 hours. Small utensils such as silverware or other cutlery should be immersed briefly in a large pot containing rapidly boiling water. If the pot is very large, more than one item may be immersed at a time. Each item should then be rinsed with cold water.

Pots are kashered by bringing water in them to a boil and then immersing a hot stone or iron such that the water will overflow onto the sides of the pot. Then rinse the pot in cold water.

One of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies associated with Passover is b’dikat chametz—the search for chametz. The ceremony is composed of five parts.

1. Reciting a special blessing over the mitzvah of the removal of chametz.

2. The search of the house by the light of a candle to find vestiges of chametz.

3. The reciting of the formula of nullification of chametz.

4. The burning or disposal of any chametz found during the search.

5. The reciting of a final, more inclusive formula of nullification.

The first three parts of this ceremony will be observed this year on Tuesday evening, April 4, after nightfall, 8:00 PM. The disposal should be on Wednesday morning, April 5. Children especially will be impressed by the ceremony. It should, therefore, be performed with enthusiasm and dedication.

The children should be asked to place pieces of chametz in the various rooms — a practice which ensures that the search will not be in vain. They can hold the candle and the feather and they should examine their own possessions, dressers and desks, for long forgotten relics of chametz.

Passover is a beautiful festival. It is a serious one, too. Both these aspects can be captured in advance of the festival by a careful observance of b’dikat chametz

Disposal of Chametz

No chametz may be eaten on Wednesday morning, April 5 after 10:50 AM.

Step 4 The Sale Of Chametz

The ritual sale of chametz must be completed by early Wednesday morning, April 5. There are those who prefer to perform the ritual in person. For those who cannot attend to the matter in person, there is a form online at ckj.org/form/sale-of-chametz.html which authorizes Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz to sell your chametz. A form can also be picked up from the second floor KJ office at 125 East 85th Street. This form must be submitted online or returned to the synagogue by Wednesday morning, April 5, not later than 8:30 am.

Step 5 The Burning Of Chametz

On Wednesday morning, April 5, it is customary to burn chametz. Chametz should be removed from one’s possession and burned by 11:54 AM. The synagogue provides a large, contained fire for this purpose. No bracha should be said, since the one said before the search applies to the burning as well.

Step 6 After Pesach

According to Jewish Law, chametz that was owned by a Jew during Pesach may never be eaten by a Jew. Therefore, it is preferable that after Pesach one buys food from establishments owned by non-Jews, establishments owned by Jews who properly sold their chametz before Pesach, or after a month (time that a store’s stock has been used up) from any establishment.

MJL Pesach Workshop

THURS / MAR 23 / 7:30 PM

Gain new insights into Passover as we review the ins and outs of the upcoming holiday. Great refresher class! Taught by Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus.

KJ/Ramaz Holiday Interactive Workshop: Ignite Your Seder

TUES / MAR 28 / 8:00 PM

Tips, Tricks and Ideas to Leading an Engaged, Immersive, Well-Paced and Meaningful Seder with Rabbi Josh Lookstein and Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus. Hosted by Rebecca and Harry Ritter. Location Upon RSVP. RSVP jankelovitsb@ramaz.org

Workshop is suited for parents of early childhood/elementary aged children.

Rabbi Wieder on Pesach

SHABBAT VAYIKRA / MARCH 25

Scholar in Residence Shabbat 6:00 pm Pre-Mincha Class - Do We Make a Berakhah on Hallel on the Night of Pesach

Will Elijah Be at Your Seder This Year?

SUN / MAR 26 / 8:00 PM

Join KJ and YU for an evening celebrating Rabbi Sacks Book Prize winner (Funded by the Rohr Family), Dr. Daniel Matt, author of “Becoming Elijah” (Yale University Press), in conversation with Dr. Shira Weiss, Assistant Director of the Sacks-Herenstein Center. Dessert reception will follow program.

125 East 85th Street RSVP ckj.org/appevents

MJL Model Seder

THURS / MAR 30 / 7:30 PM

First time Seder Guest? Looking for new insights? Forget why we dip? Join Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus and experience the 4 cups, bitter herbs, and everything else you need to create a memorable Seder and holiday experience. There is no charge to attend this Model Seder. RSVP kjb@ckj.org

Senior Lunch & Learn on Pesach

WEDS / MAR 29 / 12:00 PM

Rabbi Feldman will present on Passover followed by a program with the Ramaz Students.

Daily Morning Pre-Pesah Learning

MAR 20 - MAR 30 / 7:55 AM

Taught by Rabbi Meyer Laniado

Shabbat HaGadol Drasha

SHABBAT TZAV / APRIL 1 / FOLLOWING 6:15 PM MINCHA

Join us on Shabbat HaGadol for a Drasha delivered by Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz speaking on

“Who Is a (Good Enough) Jew? - What Happens When a Jew Converts Out of Judaism”

Sponsored by Suzy & Larry Present

Kesher Pre-Pesach Parent Child Brunch

SUN / MAR 26 / 11:30 AM

Please join us for a meaningful and fun morning of bagels and parent-child learning led by Rabbi Feldman. Children ages 3-6 and their parents are invited to a KJYD and Kesher joint event to learn about Pesach. RSVP required; sponsorship opportunities available.

RSVP ckj.org/form/PCLECC2023.html

Ha Lachma Anya

Mah Nishtanah

Avadim Hayinu

Reflections on themes of kindness. Ask each participant to share a story when they acted with kindness or were the recipient of kindness.

MA’ASEH BIRABI ELIEZER

Seder memories! The introduction of the Rabbinic passages at this point in the Seder develop the themes of storytelling from the perspectives of the generations who never experienced the original event.

Make it personal! What was the longest Seder you ever had? Invite each participant to share one funny Seder memory.

Questions are the basis of curiosity and growth. Encourage each participant, regardless of age, to ask their own original Mah Nishtanah. Each child is assigned a family member who could not be present at the Seder and answers the Mah Nishtanah with their voice and mannerisms.

What is slavery?

Introduce the topic of defining slavery.

How does slavery exist in the world today?

What is one thing to which you feel you feel “enslaved”?

MITCHILAH / ה ָלִחְּתִמ

Once upon a time: Share a story about an ancestor who inspired you. Make it personal. Each family member can share a story or a memory that has left an impact and impression on them.

Four sons, four children, four prototypes, four personalities. Assign parts to be acted.

Act out the characters, read in typecast voices. How do each of these four personalities manifest in each of us at different points? Does time of day, age or life experience elicit different parts of these prototypes?

For younger children, they can sing a song or share something they love about a sibling/ parent/grandparent. Ask children facts about each grandparent, their birthplace, life story, fun facts, etc. How much do we know about our past?

V ’ HE SHE’AMDAH

BECHOL DOR V’DOR

There is a national burden we carry of battles that have been fought, and that we will continue to fight.

What is the secret to Jewish survival?

What gives you hope? Discuss specific challenges you have overcome in your life.

Who supported you? Who have you supported?

Freedom, Oh Freedom.

What does freedom mean? Is school freedom or getting out of school freedom? Is freedom sleeping late or getting up early? Have an impromptu dance party!

The language of movement is liberating.

TZEH U’LMAD

Go get ‘em! Give each child a section to lead (in Hebrew or English).

Take a prepared grab bag / box with a collection of materials included inside: Sneaker (leaving Egypt in the middle of the night), fruit, toy sheep, gold/silver/jewelry, red item, band-aid, plastic cows.

Dayenu

It’s enough! Sing sing sing!

What are things God does for us?

Why is gratitude important?

Each family member takes a turn to express specific gratitude for either those present or not present at the Seder. Verbalize a list of all the things you’re grateful for in your life.

Use the liturgy to list them out: Since I have ____, Dayenu.

10 Makot, Makot 10!

Play some games!

Use puppets, songs and props to bring this to life. Say the of order so kids can catch mistakes.

RABBAN GAMLIEL לֵאיִלְמ

Symbols and Signals: Pesach – matzah – maror.

Pre-prep for kids to “own’’ one of these three categories. Why are these things important?

Play the ‘Who am I’ game (pesach, matzah, maror, pyramid, slave, tambourine) by asking up to 20 yes/no questions.

Pickup will be Sunday, March 26 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, in the KJ Lobby. To purchase matzah visit ckj.org/matzah.