Dear Friends,
While we pray for a speedy and healthy end to the challenge we face, it is time now to begin preparing for Pesach. Passover is traditionally spent with family and friends, a celebration of the Divine gift of Jewish survival and community. But with coronavirus curtailing travel plans and social interactions, many are facing the prospect of celebrating Passover alone.
Understandably, all the supplies have become more difficult to obtain, and the earlier you order your supplies, the better.
Please visit our Pesach Covid19 resources page here for all your passover needs.
In response to those asking for guidance on how to prepare for their Seder for the first time, here is a list of To-Dos & FAQs.
As always – and especially now – I am available for you and your family in whatever way you need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
May God grant our world healing real soon, and especially the ultimate healing — the coming of Moshiach!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Shmaya Galperin
PS: Pesach is a special time to be there for our brothers and sisters in need. A number of local families have reached out for basic provisions during this time of crisis.
Make a difference help Chabad Jewish Center in this difficult time- You are our community as with everything we do, it is only thanks to you.
Please make a generous donation here
Leading your own seder is a lot simpler than it seems. Why? Because you have your cheat sheet right in front of you. A standard Haggadah has all the instructions and guidance necessary to walk through the 15 steps of the Seder like a pro. So just pull out your haggadah and read through it in advance.
Want to have some witty and wise thoughts to share with your (truncated) crowd of participants? Start with a treasury of Seder insights.
Here is what you’ll need for the Seder:
Haggadah booklets
Matzah (handmade shmurah matzah is ideal)
Wine or grape juice
Marror (bitter herbs, typically romaine lettuce and grated horseradish)
Vegetable for dipping
Saltwater (yep, just salt and water)
Food for your Passover feast (make sure its kosher for Passover and does not contain roast meat)
Roasted bone (Chabad custom is a chicken neck, which may be easier to procure than a lamb shank)
Charoset
Eggs
Cutlery (either disposable or kosher for Passover)
More: Full Seder Shopping List
Can you suggest some ballpark quantities?
Wine: Every individual needs to drink four cups of wine or grape juice, so a bottle of wine per person per Seder is a safe bet. (If you have small, 3 oz. cups, a single bottle should just be enough for two nights.)
Matzah: If you are alone, 3 matzahs for each evening will cover you just fine. You should factor in an additional two matzahs per additional participant, as well as some extra for snacking during the meal. (There are various customs of exactly how much matzah to eat, and some matzahs are thicker and bigger than others. These estimates assume you will be using round matzah, which is somewhat larger than square, but better to err on the side of caution.)
Marror: Each person needs to have two portions of maror (one eaten alone and one as part of the korech sandwich), each one at least 2/3rds of an ounce (total). Preparing two ounces per person per night will have you covered.
Vegetables and Saltwater and Charoset: Even a minimal amount will do (in fact you should eat less than an olive-bulk of the dipping vegetable).
Roasted bone: Is not eaten at all, so you just need one per seder plate.
Egg: One egg per seder plate is fine. Some have the custom to eat the egg during the meal. If this is the case, prepare a few extra.
Feast Food: Bear in mind that you will be eating after having imbibed two cups of wine, and lots of matzah and marror, so you may not be too hungry.
Can you suggest a Haggadah I can print online?
Choose from a number of options. Pick one to fit your style and print as many as you need. Print my Haggadah
Essential Seder Recipes
Here are some essential recipes for your at-home-seder.
For further information, including FAQ’s for at-home-seders, see here.
To order Matzah, click the button below.
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Chabad Jewish Center of Holmdel• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 732-772-1998 • www.JewishHolmdel.org
