PASSOVER PREPARATION & HALACHOT
Dear Friends,
It’s surreal to know that a year ago the realities of the pandemic had just hit home and we were preparing for Pesach under near-total lockdown and with uncertainties as tangible as the food chain. This year, fortunately, some of us have already been vaccinated and many of us have adjusted to a semi-normal life during COVID. The joy of Zman Cheiruteinu (the Time of our Freedom) feels palpable with the real possibility of our community life resuming in the months to come.
In the meantime, we prepare for another Pesach. One uncommon aspect is that Pesach begins on a Saturday night, requiring additional Halachic guidance. Please read through this email carefully to see our recommended standards for Pesach prep this year, including what ingredients do and don’t require special supervision and how to kasher your kitchens. On Sunday night, March 14th at 8:00 PM, I will be leading a Kashering Primer/Review class and Q and A session on Zoom. I hope you can join: https://zoom.us/j/4672710965.
Wishing you all a Chag Kasher VeSameach!
Rabbi Gershon Albert
Pesach Programs
- Songs of the Seder Concert: Join the Alberts on Tuesday, March 30th at 8:00 PM for 30 minutes of Chol Hamoed singing, featuring well and lesser known Pesach songs. (https://zoom.us/j/4672710965)
-
Last Days of Pesach Drasha with CS Rabbanit Michal Kohane: On Thursday, April 1st at 8:00 PM, join Rabbanit Kohane for 30 minutes of Torah to help us prepare for the final days of Pesach. (https://zoom.us/j/4672710965)
-
Online Yizkor with Rabbi Albert: For those who are not able to attend services on the final days of Pesach, join Rabbi Albert on Friday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM for a virtual Yizkor service to remember our loved ones with prayer and learning. (https://zoom.us/j/4672710965)
-
Pesach Walk By / Desserts To-Go: On Saturday, April 3rd from 2:30 to 3:30 PM, the Alberts invite you for a Pesach walk-by in front of their house (1063 Mandana), to share in a few minutes of socially-distant Schmoozing and to take a Dessert To-Go, featuring Meira's homemade Pesach goodies. Adults and children of all ages are invited - we hope to see you there!
In addition to the guidelines below, here are links to additional helpful information related to Pesach:
- Beth Jacob UPDATED Kashrut Guidelines for Pesach 2021 (updates highlighted in yellow)
- Pesach Times
- Sale of Chametz (due by 10:00 AM, March 26th)
- Recommendations for When Pesach Begins on Saturday night
- Recording: Preparing and Kashering for Pesach--Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland 2021/5781
- Meal-Hosting and Indoor Seder Guidelines
- Hajdu & Covenant Wines Pre-Pesach Wine Sale
TOVELING DISHES
Although our community mikvah continues to be closed for personal use, we are opening it for those who wish to tovel their dishes. Please click here to sign up for a toveling slot at the community mikvah. Questions? Please contact Deborah Sosebee at deborah@sosefam.com.
