Pesah 5768

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesah requires the most preparation. The resources on this page have been put together by Hadar to help you prepare for Pesah, including a detailed guide to preparing your home or apartment for Pesah, as well as information on how to dispose of your hametz (leavened products) before the holiday, where to obtain kosher for Pesah food, and various pre-holiday practices. Chag kasher v'sameah!

Pesah Guide
A detailed guide to preparing your home for Pesah has been compiled by Hadar, and can be found at the following link: http://www.kehilathadar.org/PesahGuide5768.pdf.  This year's Pesah Guide includes a concise summary of how to prepare for Pesah and Shabbat when Pesah begins on Erev Pesach, as well as a full list of halachic times for hametz, candlelighting, etc. for New York City this year.

Online sources relating to Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbat
From Yeshivat Har Etzion (R. Yosef Zvi Rimon)  http://www.vbm-torah.org/archive/halak61/19erev4.doc
From the Masorti Vaad Hahalacha (R. David Golinkin) http://www.responsafortoday.com/engsums/5_5.htm

Mechirat Hametz (selling leavened products)
As described in the Pesah Guide, all hametz you do not dispose of before the holiday should be sold by a competent halachic agent; generally, this is done by signing a document authorizing a local rabbi to sell your hametz on your behalf.  Unfortunately, the deadline to sell your hametz through Hadar has passed.

In addition, many synagogues set aside time to facilitate hametz sales; a non-exhaustive listing of such synagogues is below. This year in New York City, hametz can be eaten only until 10:40 am on Saturday morning April 19th, and all hametz must be disposed of by 11:47 am that day.

Find a Seder
Many local synagogues will be hosting a communal seder (some on both nights, and some only on one night) For a listing of those available at local synagogues and other community seders, please see below.

Ma'ot Chittim
Although feeding the hungry is a worthy cause year-round, a special appeal is customarily made prior to Pesah (this appeal is called ma'ot chittim, which loosely translated means funds for bread). Most synagogues have a fund dedicated to this purpose; various non-profit organizations do as well (see below). In addition, a great way to get rid of your hametz and help the hungry is to donate food to a local shelter. Several organizations which accept donations of food are also listed below.

Siyum Bechorim
It is traditional for those who are first-born (bechorim) to fast on the day before Pesah, in remembrance of being saved from the final plague in Egypt. (Incidentally, the midrash says that both women and men were affected by this plague, and the Shulhan Arukh brings the opinion that therefore women who are first-born should fast as well.) However, the widespread custom is for the first-born to participate in a siyum (completion of a major cycle of Jewish learning) on that day, and the siyum is concluded with a meal (with hametz!). The obligation to eat at a siyum supersedes the fast, therefore many synagogues will hold this siyum after morning services on that day. This year, Hadar will be co-sponsoring a siyum with Shaare Zedek for Ta'anit Bechorot (fast of the firstborn), on Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 am at Shaare Zedek (212 West 93rd St. between Broadway and Amsterdam).

Please join us for Shacharit, followed by the siyum. Meir Schecter will teach us as he completes the Talmudic tractate of Nedarim. The siyum will be followed by a bagel breakfast - your last opportunity to eat chameitz before Pesach! Firstborns and all others are welcome. Please RSVP to religiouslife@sznyc.org so that we can be sure to buy the right amount of food.

Donating Food Before Pesach
Food Bank NY (list of local pantries and soup kitchens that accept food donations): http://76.12.60.180/index.cfm?objectid=46953F29-C09F-0662-D219141E04439B81&keywords=10025&x=12&y=13
 


List of Places Offering Community Seders

List of local synagogues: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/links/lindex/communities/newyork/newyorkcity/manhattan.htm

NYU:
http://www.nyu.edu/bronfman/new/?page=passover_reg
Saturday, April 19th, 8:30 pm
Sixth Street Synagogue
325 East 6th Street, between 1st & 2nd Avenue
$50 for one seder, $85 for both seders

Columbia:
http://www.hillel.columbia.edu/template.php?name=sedermain
Saturday, April 19th, 8:45 pm
Kraft Center for Jewish Life, Rennert Hall (Basement)
606 W. 115th St., between Broadway and Riverside
Free for Columbia, Barnard, and JTS students; $40 for non-students

Ohel Ayalah
http://www.ohelayalah.org
Saturday, April 19th, 6:30 pm
Sunday, April 20th, 7:00 pm
Great Hall of First Presbyterian Church
Fifth Avenue at West 12th Street

Village Temple Women's Seder:
Saturday, April 12th, 6:00 pm
The Village Temple
33 East 12th Street
$60 for women over 21, $30 for women 16-21
Seating is limited; reservations required.
For more information, please contact Marina Gorbunova at 212-674-2340 or villagetemple@villagetemple.org
 


Ma'ot Chittim

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (http://metcouncil.brinkster.net/index2.html) runs a special program to get kosher for Passover food to needy Jewish families (as well as food to all families in need throughout the year). You can donate on-line: http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=13-2738818 , or by writing a check payable to "Met Council" and sending it to:

Met Council
Passover Food Program
5361 Prespon Court
Brooklyn, NY 11234

Dorot: http://www.dorotusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage_DOROT
For donations: https://secure2.convio.net/dorot/site/Donation2?idb=1196619482&df_id=1300&1300.donation=form1 (click on “In honor” link and type in “Passover”)

Mazon:http://www.mazon.org/
For donations: http://www.mazon.org/Donate_Now/

Jewish Association of Services for the Aged (JASA):http://www.jasa.org/index.html
For donations: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=13-2620896&source=GS&cmpgn=DNT&vlrStratCode=I9EC0Er5525og4YF9QYGRLZA6gwN%2fnr2LVZB1O6CvuW8EsiPwl%2fzFuZ6YvUjOYOJ
 

Restaurants Open During Pesah
The list below is not exhaustive, and other establishments may also be open.  You should contact the restaurants to verify that they will be open, and many restaurants require reservations. Some restaurants open for Pesah will also host seders; call in advance for details.

Abigael's: http://www.abigaels.com/
1407 Broadway, (212) 575-1407
Reservations required

Darna: http://www.darnanyc.com/
600 Columbus Avenue, (212) 721-9123

Le Marais: http://www.lemarais.net/index2.htm
150 W. 46th Street, (212) 869-0900

Levana: http://www.levana.com/
141 W. 69th Street, (212) 877-8457
Large groups only - contact in advance

Mendy's Restaurant: http://www.mendysdeli.com/
61 E. 34th Street, (212) 576-1010 (this location only)

My Most Favorite Dessert Company: http://www.mymostfavorite.com/
120 W. 45th Street, (212) 997-5130, dairy

Prime Grill: http://www.theprimegrill.com/
60 E. 49th Street, (212) 692-9292
Reservations required

Solo Restaurant: http://www.theprimegrill.com/solo/media/solo.html
550 Madison Ave., (212) 833-7800

Talia’s Steakhouse and Bar: http://www.taliassteakhouse.com/
668 Amsterdam Avenue, (212) 580-3770

Please click here for additional information on restaurants: http://www.kosher-ny.com/passover.php.