Dear Congregant,

As we approach the spring, we naturally begin to focus on Passover. People start planning their Seder; who will be coming, which night will they have at their house or at someone else’s, what new Kosher-for-Passover foods are there, and where did we put Grandma’s special cookie recipe? 

In addition to all of these thoughts, we also begin to work on cleaning our homes. We work as diligently as possible to rid our homes of all “chametz.” In the Torah, we are instructed that, “No leaven shall be seen or found in your possession during Passover” (Deuteronomy 16:4). Some people work on eating up all of their chametz before Passover and give away or dispose of any that is left over. This is hard to do and for many it is not feasible. In addition, we would certainly not dispose of all of our chametz dishes and kitchenware. 

Knowing of this hardship, the Rabbis introduced a way for us not to “own” any chametz.  Before Passover we “sell” the chametz to a non-Jew for Passover.  After Passover the goods all revert back into your ownership.  If you want to know more about the intricacies of this, please feel free to ask Rabbi Werbow.

Please take the opportunity to fill out the form below and submit it to the synagogue by 8:30 on Friday, April 11, 2025 in order to have your chametz included in the sale.

While not mandatory, it is customary to include a donation in appreciation for the efforts of the Rabbi conducting the sale. These funds will be contributed to Rabbi Werbow’s Discretionary fund, which is used to subsidize and promote Jewish cultural and religious activities.

Chag Kasher U’Samayach (A Happy and Kosher Pesach)

Rabbi Michael Werbow