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
Pesah Checklist

Events

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

Movie Night: The Ten Commandments
Sunday, March 31, 7:15-10:30 p.m., Beit Am
So let it be written! So let it be done! The Ten Commandments is a 1956 American epic religious drama film produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, staring Charlton Heston as Moses, Yul Brynner as Rameses, and Anne Baxter as Nefretiri. It is also one of the most financially successful films ever made, grossing approximately $122.7 million at the box office during its initial release Never seen it? Now's your chance! Watch it every year? Come watch it with friends! Bring something comfy to lay on (it's a long movie) and an adult beverage if you like. We'll provide popcorn, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Invite These Visionary Women to Your Passover Seder: Exploring the Heroic Women of the Passover Story Through Modern Midrash and Creative Ritual
Sunday, Apr. 14, 10-11 a.m., Library and Zoom
Yokheved, Miriam, Shifra, Puah, and Batya: the leadership and bravery of these women made our journey to liberation possible; however much of their lives and voices are ignored in the classical body of rabbinic literature. In this drop-in class led by Rabbi Jenny, we will explore several new midrashim (Jewish stories) written by modern Jewish women scholars who creatively and skillfully bring these courageous figures into the light.

Restorative Yoga: Pesah
Sunday, Apr. 14, 7-8:15 p.m., Yoga Room 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.

Community Pesah Seder
Tuesday, Apr. 23; 6:15 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m. Seder; Social Hall
Rabbi Jenny Solomon will lead a Community Pesah Seder catered by Bruce Kaplan. Rabbi Jenny Solomon will lead a Community Pesah Seder catered by Bruce Kaplan. 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 Apr. 8. Registration for everyone closes on Friday, Apr. 19 at 5 p.m.

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.

Giving Back
The Exodus story and Pesah observance are rich in social justice themes like hunger, homelessness, oppression, and redemption. Here are ways you can contribute:

• 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 22), please e-mail the office and we 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!
• Jewish Family Services (JFS) Adopt-a-Pantry

  Beth Meyer Synagogue has adopted the JFS pantry for the month of April. There are two ways to help:

• Purchase items from the JFS Amazon Wish List (delivered directly to their office).
• Purchase wish list items at a local grocery store and drop off at the JFS office at 8210 Creedmoor Road, Suite 104, Raleigh NC 27613. Food can be dropped off in the designated box outside their office at any time.

Purchase Kosher for Passover Foods
Kosher for Passover items are at Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Whole Foods. Shop early 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.  

Sell Your Hametz By April 21
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 Sunday, April 21.

Kasher the Kitchen
Click here for the 5784 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.