Pesah

"Passover, widely known by its Hebrew name, Pesah, commemorates the exodus from Egypt. On a spiritual level, the festival confronts us with the notion of redemption. In terms of the calendar, it occurs in the spring. All three of these concepts — freedom, redemption, and springtime — come together in different aspects of Passover observance." - Alan Lucas in his chapter on the Holidays from The Observant Life

Join Beth Meyer Synagogue as we come together in different aspects of Pesah observance with our services, events and more.

Events
Giving Back
Pesah Checklist

Events

Please register for the below events by clicking on the event name.

Restorative Yoga: Pesah
Sunday, Mar. 26, 7-8:15 p.m., Social Hall and Zoom
Add depth and meaning to your Pesah preparations by participating in this special yoga class led by Rabbi Dr. Jenny Solomon and Dr. Barbara Vosk. Take your prayers into your body by breathing, moving and resting with the intention of cultivating inner awareness, vision and connection to self and others. This class can be modified for all bodies.

Pre-Pesah Siyum
Wednesday, Apr. 5, 6:45 a.m., Zoom
There is a long-standing tradition for first-born children to fast on the day before Pesah in commemoration of the fact that first-born Hebrew children were spared during the night of the tenth plague (“Slaying of the First-Born”). According to Jewish law, this fast can be shortened if a first-born child attends and listens to a Torah lesson, a pre-Pesah Siyyum, which celebrates the end of the study of a Talmudic volume. Those who are first-born children will then be able to eat as normal on the day before the first Pesah Seder. For more info on this unique fast day tradition for first-born children, read here.

All first-born children are encouraged to participate in a traditional pre-Pesah Siyyum of Masekhet Bavli Sotah, led by Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz. Registration is via the Rabbinical Assembly. Participation is free and movement-wide. All are welcome to join for this all-levels celebration of learning. The service starts at 6:45 a.m. with Shaharit. The Siyyum begins around 7:30 a.m.

Community Pesah Seder
Thursday, Apr. 6; 6:15 doors open, 6:30 p.m. Seder; Social Hall
Rabbis Eric and Jenny Solomon will lead a Community Pesah Seder catered by Bruce Kaplan. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.; the seder begins at 6:30 p.m. This event will be capped at 100 guests. Preferential registration for members and their guests ONLY is now open (members must be logged in to ShulCloud in order to proceed with registration); registration for prospective members opens on Mar. 22. Registration for everyone closes on Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 11 p.m. Pricing is $65 per ticket for adults, and $35 per ticket for children 12 and under. Pesah is a holiday to be shared by all. Subsidized tickets may be available to households experiencing financial hardship. Contact Jonathan Wertheim, Executive Director, at jonathanw@bethmeyer.org or (919) 848-1420.

Counting the Omer
Vary dates between Apr. 12-May 24, varying times, Zoom
From Pesah through the holiday of Shavuot in May, we observe a centering practice called Counting the Omer. The idea of counting each day represents spiritual preparation and anticipation for the giving of the Torah, which God gave on Mount Sinai at the beginning of the month of Sivan, around the same time as the holiday of Shavuot. This period also marks the beginning of the barley harvest when, in ancient times, Jews would bring the first sheaves to the Temple as a means of thanking God for the harvest. The word omer literally means “sheaf” and refers to these early offerings. The psalmist says, “Give us the wisdom to count our days,” and during this time of uncertainty and waiting, our Omer practice will guide us in finding meaning in each day.

Join Rabbi Jenny each week for a short time to introduce the theme of the new week of the Omer, offer inspiration for practice, and share personal reflections. Our text study and conversation will include suggestions for practice through the week and a ritual counting of the Omer/day together. Join us for as many sessions as you can!

Shabbat B’Yahad (Shabbat Together!) and Pizza Dinner
Friday, Apr. 14, 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestream
Join us for an intergenerational, musical service and indulge in the return of hametz with a Shabbat Pizza Dinner following prayer services.

Giving Back

The Exodus story and Pesah observance are rich in social justice themes like hunger, homelessness, oppression, and redemption. Here are five ways you can help give back this season.

1) PRE-PESAH HAMETZ FOOD DRIVE FOR INTERFAITH FOOD SHUTTLE
The Passover ritual of removing hametz (leaven) products from the home provides an opportunity to collect food donations and reminds us of those in our local community who search daily for a nutritional meal to sustain themselves and their families. Bins for hametz items will be in the lobby now through Mar. 24.

2) JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES (JFS)

Good Deeds Day: Toiletries Donations
The JFS Food Pantry is expanding its outreach to members of our community who are in need of assistance with the necessities of daily living. In conjunction with Good Deeds Day on Sunday, March 26, Beth Meyer is a designated a drop-off site for toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, liquid and bar soaps, shampoo, conditioner, socks, combs, hand sanitizer (wipes or small bottle), bottled water and socks. Donations can be left in the bins in both of our lobbies.

Kosher for Passover Food Drive
As you prepare for Pesah, consider adding a few more items to your cart to support families facing food insecurity and to ensure that all have Kosher food this coming holiday. Needed food items are: matzah, matzah ball mixes, gefilte fish, grape juice, macaroons, candied fruit slices, cake mixes and/or grocery gift cards. Please check that all food is labeled “Kosher for Passover.” Drop off donations at the JFS office (8210 Creedmoor Road, Suite 104, Raleigh 27613) by Tuesday, Mar. 28. You can also order Passover food directly from the JFS Amazon Wish List.

3) EPISCOPAL FARMWORKER MINISTRY (EFwM) SUPPLY DRIVE
Beth Meyer Synagogue members have partnered with the EFwM every March since 2007 to bring both financial support and needed items — maseca, vegetable oil, instant coffee, rice, beans, laundry detergent, granola, protein bars, dried fruit, Clorox, men’s clothing, hygiene products and more— to farmworkers in Eastern North Carolina. Donation barrels will be in the synagogue lobby for the entire month of March. Complete details can be found here. Financial donations can be made at episcopalfarmworkerministry.org/donate/.

Want to know more about the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry? Watch this two-minute video. You can also listen to Rabbi Eric Solomon interview Lariza Garzon, former Executive Director of the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry (2021) at this link.

4) MITZVAH MATZOS
Beth Meyer Synagogue is once again a Mitzvah Matzos distributor. Mitzvah Matzos bakes and sells soft, organic shmura matzah that is kosher for Passover. All profits benefit organizations with established track records in fighting human trafficking and helping survivors find their paths to independence and freedom. Place your order at mitzvahmatzos.org by Mar. 28 and select Beth Meyer Synagogue as your pickup location at checkout. All local orders will come to Beth Meyer Synagogue in one shipment even though the website asks for a shipping address. The price is $36 for one pound box of three delicious matzot. Shipping is free. Orders will be available for pick-up at Beth Meyer Synagogue on Thursday, Mar. 30 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.

5) BE A MENSCH
“All who are hungry, come and eat!” (Passover Haggadah)
Did you know it is an *extra* special mitzvah to invite folks to your home for the seder who don’t have a place to celebrate the Passover meal? If you have a seat (or two) at your Passover seder table on the first night (April 5), please e-mail Rabbi Jenny and she will help make the match. You do not need to have the most kosher home or the most elaborate seder ritual. All you need is a seat at the table, an open heart, and the desire to fulfill this mitzvah!

Checklist

Register for Our Events
You can register for most events and classes on our website. Click on the linked events listed above or check bethmeyer.org/calendar, find the event you are looking for, and follow the instructions to register.

Purchase Kosher for Passover Foods
Kosher for Passover items are at Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Whole Foods. Shop now for the best selection!

Stock Up On Judaica
The Beth Meyer Sisterhood Judaica Shop has many beautiful ritual items to use at your Seder table including artistic Seder plates, Elijah’s and Miriam’s Cups, matzah plates, haggadot, and toys for the children. The Judaica Shop’s regular hours are from 10 a.m.-noon on Fridays and Sundays. You can also make an appointment with Shelly at judaicashop@bethmeyer.org or shop online at beth-meyer-judaica-shop.square.site.  

Order Mitzvah Matzos by March 28
Simply place your order on the online store at mitzvahmatzos.org and select Beth Meyer Synagogue as your pickup location at checkout. 

Sell Your Hametz By April 5
On Pesah, we are commanded to eliminate all of the hametz (leaven) from our homes. Please fill out the form to sell your hametz by noon on Wednesday, April 5.

Kasher the Kitchen
Click here for the 5783 Rabbinical Assembly Pesah Guide, with guidance from Rabbi Eric Solomon.

Clean the Home ― But Don't Go Crazy
Spring cleaning is fun for some people, but it should not be confused with Passover cleaning. When cleaning the house for Passover, attention should be given only to places where edible hametz is used or stored like the kitchen, pantry, couch cushions, etc.

Give Back
Donate unopened hametz to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, collect Kosher for Passover food for Jewish Family Services, and/or fill our Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Supply Drive donation bins.