sign in sign up
<<
Home , Farfel, Karpas, Matzah brei, Passover Seder

Chaplaincy Services of Jewish Federation of NENY Jewish Life Newsletter Chaplaincy Services are made possible through a grant from Jewish Federation of NENY in cooperation with the Capital District Board of Rabbis and Jewish Family Services of NENY.

Chaplaincy Services of Jewish Volume XXIV No. 4 April 2020/Nissan 5780 Federation of Northeastern New York The Golub Center : The Holiday of Redemption: Wed. April 8 (evening)–Thurs. April 16 184 Washington Avenue Ext Albany NY 12203-5306 When It is at the Seder that we retell the story of our people. In Passover begins at sundown on essence, we relive the Wednesday, April 8, 2020. It experience of , and going lasts for eight days (Reform from enslavement to freedom. and Israeli observe the first seven), ending at sunset We read about lives made bitter on Thursday, April 16. With its by slavery, about the ten plagues theme of freedom, Passover is that befell the , and one of the most popular about how these plagues led to Passover Matzah holidays on the Jewish . Then we praise God calendar. Special foods are for the of freedom. Prohibited on Passover central to this holiday. How What Here are some foods that are Throughout the week, we eat prohibited on Passover unless The holiday of Passover marks special foods that remind us that the redemption of the Jewish our ancestors left Egypt without they have proper certification: people from Egyptian slavery. time to bake bread. • • Margarine During the , (the Your residents will probably festive home service at the • Bread • miss family Seders and want to beginning of Passover), we • Peas reminisce about unique • Cakes Upcoming 2020–2021 read that in every generation customs, games, foods, and • Cereal • each of us must view ourselves special times that may only HOLIDAY DATE as having personally left Egypt. • Cookies • Salad partially be replicated. dressings Jewish Life Newsletter • Corn Passover (8 days) Wed. night April 8 – Thurs. April 16 • Soda Jewish Federation • Crackers of Northeastern New York Helping your Resident Celebrate Passover • Vinegar (2 days) Thurs. night May 28 – Sat. May 30 • Ketchup The Golub Center One year while making Passover 184 Washington Avenue Ext the sense that he or she is no visits, a rabbi visited a nursing Albany NY 12203-5306 (2 days) Fri. night Sept. 18 – Sun. Sept. 20 longer a part of the Jewish home resident who made a sad Inside This Issue: community. There are many Phone: 518.783.7800, ext. 228 statement about the holiday and Fax: 518.783.1557 Sun. night Sept. 27 – Mon. Sept. 28 things nursing- and adult- her life in the home. The Passover Seder Foods Email: home staff can do for, and [email protected] resident was eating lunch and (7 days) Fri. night Oct. 2 – Fri. Oct. 9 with, their Jewish residents at Kosher for Passover was served a (non-Passover) Rabbi Beverly W. Magidson Passover to help maintain dessert. She looked at the rabbi What do you Serve? Director Shmini Atzeret Fri. night Oct. 9 – Sat. Oct. 10 their connection to Jewish and said, “I used to be a Jew, but religious life. Music and Other Resources now I’m a goy (an outsider).” Robert R. Kovach Simhat Torah Sat. night Oct. 10 – Sun. Oct. 11 Because so much of the Sharing Memories President and CEO, Passover is one of the most Passover celebration involves Jewish Federation of NENY celebrated Jewish holidays. For a Thurs. night Dec. 10 – Fri. Dec. 18 special foods, providing Chaplaincy Seders person accustomed to eating the these foods is an important special Passover foods and Special Section for Tu B’ Tues. night Jan.26 – Wed. Jan. 27 part of connecting your Food Service Directors: refraining from prohibited ones, residents with their faith Recipes eating everyday food at Passover What does “Kosher for Passover” mean? Thurs. night Feb. 25 – Fri. Feb. 26 community. is jarring. It may give a person How to Set Up a Seder Chaplaincy Services of Jewish Federation of NENY Passover Seder Foods—What do they Mean? Jewish Life Newsletter Passover Music and Other Resources The foods we eat during the Seder the slaves. The , usually celery or service reflect the themes of , is a symbol of the return of Music has always been an The best video is: https:// redemption and freedom. We eat and life. Life is also symbolized important part of a Passover Seder. shop.pbs.org/a-taste-of- matzah—the poor bread, the bread of by the roasted egg, which is not eaten, Many parts are sung together, and passover-dvd/product/ affliction—and we remember our and the egg reminds us of the festival there are traditional songs at the TPAS601. ancestors leaving so quickly that there offering brought to the ancient Temple end as well. Of course, melodies Also available on Amazon.com. was not time for their bread to rise. in . varied in different parts of the The (hah-RO-set), a sweet We also remember the cost of our world, and families have their own Perhaps the best local selection mixture of apples, nuts, , freedom at the Seder. While we drink traditions. The familiar words, and and wine (or dates, figs, raisins, and is at Hadar, Temple ’s gift four cups of wine or grape juice, which some of the well-known melodies, wine), resembles the mortar used to shop (open limited hours, as is represent God’s promises to us, we will enrich your residents’ hold bricks together as the slaves any synagogue gift shop, so call recall the ten plagues. In doing this, we built mighty cities. The (mah- celebrations. You can find tapes, first, 518-438-7858, before you remove ten drops of wine from our Seder Plate ROR), or bitter herb, has the taste of CDs, and sheet music in a number take a trip). Temple Israel is in cups, diminishing our joy as we the bitterness of slavery, and the salt of places. I recommend Paul Zim’s Albany, next to St. Peter’s remember that others had to die for our Another Passover water reminds us of the tears shed by Passover Seder Sing-a-Long, which Hospital. Agudat Achim, a resource is available at freedom. is available at Amazon.com. Some synagogue in Niskayuna, has of the local synagogue gift shops also produced an excellent https:// What is Kosher—and not Kosher—for Passover? have tapes and DVDs. Sing-a-Long CD kosher cookbook with Passover www.interfaithfamily.com recipes. (Call: 518-393-9211.) /holidays/ What food is NOT kosher For more information there. You can buy , entrees, side Reminiscing about Passover There are some YouTube videos passover_and_easter/ for Passover? about what may and may 1. All leavened food where not be eaten on Passover, dishes, complete Seder available. However, many of Passover is a lonely time for Jewish Questions? (Usually asked by the guide_to_passover_for_int flour and water have been contact the Vaad meals for six, and just them bring in Christian residents in care facilities. This is youngest). What were their erfaith_families/ mixed together and left HaKashrut of the Capital Seder plate items. For theology, which is inappropriate especially true for people who favorite foods? How did they help? standing for longer than 18 District, 518-489-1530. an order form, contact and will be unwelcome at a It’s an easy-to-navigate know that they will never be home Then be an active listener. minutes before baking The Vaad prepares a Shmuel Kochman, Jewish Seder. I heartily for Seder again. Passover is the site for beginners. (e.g., bread and pasta). guide to Passover food SamuelKochman@pricec We are sometimes afraid that recommend this 25 minute every year. If you wish to hopper.com quintessential home holiday. 2. Food made from those whom we visit will contrast video with Elie Wiesel: buy Passover food, you (or 518-456-9314, then Almost every Jew had some type of fermented grain (grain that Seder with their present can find the basics at push 8 and 3). PLEASE feast and many had Seders. https://www.youtube.com/ vinegar, ketchup, salad situation. Although this may often many area supermarkets. plan ahead!!! watch?v=Aro4MY0PRbk dressings, hard liquor). The loneliness is real, and no one be the case, we must remember The most complete You may also be able to can change it. What we can do is that they know their situations If you are looking on your own, selection can be found at order them from your 3. Jews from Eastern help give them the support of best. However, they will derive AVOID anything with “Yeshua,” Europe avoid leguminous Price Chopper, 1892 local food supplier. You memory. As you talk to your pleasure from reliving a good “Messianic,” and “Ministries,” vegetables (beans and Central Avenue, Colonie. must specify that you residents, ask them to tell you memory and by having an along with any mention of Jesus peas), as well as rice and You may also order want Kosher-for- or Christ. corn. complete Kosher-for- Passover meals. about Seder when they were appreciative audience who children or younger adults. Who led understands the meaning of the Passover meals from If you have questions, contact the Seder? Who asked the Four story and the Jewish messages. Rabbi Bev. What DO You Serve on Passover? Go to the store, buy a jar of • Matzah or Egg Matzah spread with Chaplaincy Seders & Matzah The first and last two days of • Eggs margarine (and sprinkled with Passover are special salt or cinnamon-sugar), apple butter, Contact Rabbi Magidson: from the kosher food • Salad (no pea pods) Rabbi Magidson, Chaplaincy Holy Days jam, farmer’s cheese, or charoset. Outreach Staff, and volunteers will 518-783-7800 or section. (first and seventh for • Vegetables other than • Gefilte fish with ground be leading model Seders in as [email protected] Serve it with a dollop of leguminous ones Reform Jews, who observe a • Passover many facilities as possible during She will be happy to arrange seven-day holiday) ground horseradish. • Potatoes Passover and the weeks before. these for you. Special prayers are said in It’s a protein that is • Passover borsht with sour cream • Fruit You may also have family WE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE synagogue and nice meals easy to serve, easy to Recipes from: http://www.jewishfood- • Cottage cheese members who are able to do this DELIVERING A BOX OF EGG MATZAH are eaten. digest, and it’s a taste list.com/recipes/pesach/ themselves with some help. We FOR EVERY JEWISH RESIDENT. On the last day , of special times with • Meat and fish without &klp_main_index.html have simplified, large-print the Yizkor Memorial Prayer family. breading (books with the Seder PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS https://www.mrfood.com/Editors-Picks/16 is recited. service) that we can send out for CONTAINED IN THE LETTER THAT -Traditional-Passover-Favorites Very traditional Jews stay home you to use if this is the case. COMES WITH THE MATZAH. from work. Instructions for Hosting a Passover Seder Special Passover Information at your Facility For Food Service Directors Thank you for hosting a Passover Seder for your Jewish residents. What is Kosher and Not Kosher for Passover? It is an important religious obligation for a Jew to be at a Passover Seder. Almost all Jews in the United States grew up with some sort of Seder in their youth, and the What food is NOT Kosher for Passover? Prohibited on Passover prayers, songs, and traditional ritual foods will evoke wonderful memories and spiritual Here are some foods that are prohibited on Passover unless they have proper certification: connections for them. (For explanations of the symbolism, see page 2 of the Jewish Life Passover Newsletter.)  All leavened food where flour and water have been mixed together and left standing for longer than 18  Beer minutes before baking  Bread (unlikely that this would exist)  Cakes

Here is a list of the ritual foods that you need:  Food made from fermented grain, e.g., grain vine-  Cereal  Kosher grape juice/kosher sweet wine (available in the kosher section of many local supermarkets) gar  Cookies Make sure there’s enough for each participant to have four small cups (2 3-oz cups).  Corn  Jews from Eastern Europe avoid leguminous vege-  Crackers  Bite-size pieces of parsley or celery for every participant tables, as well as rice and corn  Ketchup  Margarine  A jar of ground horseradish (red or white) For more information about what may and may not be  Pasta  Peas Make sure it’s Kosher for Passover, since most vinegar (a common additive) is not Kosher for Passover. eaten on Passover, contact the Vaad HaKashrut of the  Rice  Passover matzah (Avoid matzah that says “Not for Passover Use.”); egg matzah is fine for those who are frail. Capital District, 518-489-1530. The Vaad prepares a  Salad dressings guide to Passover food every year.  Soda  A bowl of salt water (1/4 teaspoon to a cup of tap water should do it)  Vinegar

 Charoset (Mix together 2 cups shredded, peeled apple; 2 cups finely chopped walnuts; 1 tablespoon If you wish to buy Passover food, you can find the ba- cinnamon; 1/4 cup purple sweet wine or grape juice; and optional 2-3 tablespoons .) sics at most area supermarkets. The most complete se- lection can be found at Price Chopper, 1892 Central  A roasted shankbone (a lamb shank or a chicken/turkey neck or wing) Avenue, Colonie. If you can’t get that, xerox a picture of a roasted neck or wing. You may also order complete Kosher-for-Passover What Do You Serve People on Passover?

 A hardboiled egg. After boiling the egg, leave the shell on and put it under the broiler for a couple of minutes. meals from there. You can buy soups, entrees, side Also, each guest should get a half hardboiled egg that has been peeled. dishes, complete seder meals for six, and just seder  Eggs plate items. For an order form, contact Shmuel  Salad (no pea pods) The parsley/celery, horseradish, charoset, shankbone, and egg should be on one plate; three whole matzahs should be Kochman, [email protected]  Vegetables other than leguminous ones on another plate. Cover the matzahs with a nice napkin or cloth. (or call (518) 456-9314 and push 8 and 3). PLEASE  Potatoes

Set the table nicely with tablecloths, plates, and wine cups, even if you’re not going to serve a meal. Put an extra wine plan ahead!!! You may also order complete Kosher-  Fruit Cottage cheese cup in the middle of the table. for-Passover meals for six from there. You may also  be able to order them from your local food supplier.  Meat and fish without breading Setting for a group: If you’re going to have more than four people, fill some small bowls with extra horseradish, You must specify that you want Kosher-for-Passover  Matzah or Egg Matzah spread with margarine charoset, parsley/celery, and salt water for the other end of the table. Put some matzahs down there, too, to make serv- meals. (and sprinkled with garlic salt or cinnamon sugar), ing easier. For every four participants, it’s useful to have a “serving station.” apple butter, jam, farmer’s cheese, or charoset  Gefilte fish with horseradish IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware that it is inappropriate to serve conventional bread, pasta, cake, pork products, or  Passover macaroons shellfish at a Seder. It is also inappropriate to serve dairy and meat products together (e.g., chicken parmigiana). If you are  Passover borsht with sour cream serving a meal, chicken , plain roast chicken, potatoes, and a nice carrot dish are appropriate. Fruit and Passover maca- roons are good desserts. Gefilte fish as an appetizer will be a special treat for your residents! Please call me if you have any questions: Rabbi Beverly W. Magidson (518) 783-7800, ext. 228, or (518) 724-3310 Passover/Pesach Recipes Look for these Symbols

potatoes in blender. Mix together potatoes, oil, , 1 large onion, chopped I. Traditional Dishes and eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. 1 medium , peeled and cubed II. Side Dishes Charoset for Seder (Eastern European version) Pour into greased 8 X 8 square pan. ½ cup diced green pepper Since pasta of all kinds is prohibited on Passover, one Bake for 1 hour. 1 1-oz. can mushroom sauce (buy in Kosher-for- 2 cups shredded apples of the challenges to the cook is what to serve with your Serves 6-8 Passover aisle) 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups chopped walnuts main dish of meat or fish. Besides potatoes, here are 1 tablespoon cinnamon some other options. Your dietary staff should be aware Sweet and Prune Casserole ½ teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup wine or grape juice that matzah is binding on the digestive tract. Dried or 28-oz. can diced tomatoes 2-3 tablespoons honey (optional) stewed fruits and salad are useful balances. 6 medium sweet potatoes 1½ cups matzah (buy matzah farfel where you buy matzah, 1 jar stewed prunes or break up matzah into coin-sized pieces) Mix everything together and enjoy. 3/4 cup honey Apple Matzah (Pudding) Saute in oil until tender. Combine onions, eggplant, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon Charoset is used at the Seder to represent the mortar used green pepper, tomato sauce, and seasoning. Cook covered 1 teaspoon salt by the Israelite slaves. It’s tasty enough to be used for 4 matzahs for 15 minutes or until eggplant is tender. Stir in diced 2 tablespoons prune juice snacks during the rest of the holiday. 2 teaspoons salt tomatoes. In a 2-quart baking dish, arrange the vegetables 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 cup Passover margarine and matzah farfel in alternate layers. Begin and end with 1/4 cup melted margarine 2 cups chopped nuts (not peanuts) the vegetables. Bake at 350° uncovered for 25 minutes. (supper dish) 2-3 apples, cored and chopped (Brei rhymes with fry) additional margarine as needed Preheat oven to 350°. 3 eggs Cook potatoes until tender. Many Jewish homes serve this year-round, but it’s always 2 cups sugar Skin and cut into 1/4 inch slices. a treat on Passover! 1 teaspoon cinnamon Cut prunes in half. 2 matzahs 2 cups raisins Make mixture of remaining ingredients. 2 eggs, beaten In a 2-quart casserole dish, arrange alternate layers of Preheat oven to 350°. Splash of sweet potatoes and prunes, pouring the honey mixture Break matzah and soak in water until soft. Salt over each layer. Drain, but do not squeeze dry. Bake uncovered, basting occasionally, for 45 minutes. Wet matzah under running water. (The wetter the matzah, Beat eggs with salt, sugar, margarine, and cinnamon. Serves more than 4. the softer the result.) Egg matzah also produces a softer Add matzah. Stir in chopped nuts, apples, and raisins. result. (OPTIONAL) Add Kosher-for-Passover marshmallows Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish. Dot top Break matzah up into small pieces; mix with rest of the with additional margarine. Bake for about 45 minutes. on top during the last five minutes of baking. Kosher-for-Passover Rolls ingredients. 2 cups of matzah meal Method #1: Make either small or a large the size of your frying pan. Fry in frying pan in oil or 1 teaspoon salt (Pudding) - a traditional favorite! 1 tablespoon sugar butter. This can be cut into wedges or served to one hungry individual. Sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon and sugar, 2 onions 1 cup water pour on honey or syrup, or spread with jam. 3 large potatoes ½ cup oil 4 eggs 1/4 cup oil Method #2: Mix and fry the egg-matzah mixture as you 2 eggs would in butter or oil. Serve with salt and Combine matzah meal with salt and sugar. Bring oil 1/4 cup matzah meal and water to a boil. Add to matzah-meal mixture and pepper or cinnamon and sugar. 2 teaspoons Kosher-for-Passover baking powder or mix well. Beat in eggs thoroughly, one at a time. Allow potato starch to stand 15 minutes. With oiled hands, shape into rolls Matzah Balls for Soup 1 teaspoon salt and place on a well-greased cookie sheet. (Optional: 1/8 teaspoon pepper Press thumb into center of each roll to give it more of a Find more great recipes at: After much thought and discussion in our office, we have www.jewishfood-list.com/recipes/pesach/ concluded that the matzah balls made from the boxed mix Preheat oven to 350 °. donut shape.) Bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until are very good. Be sure to follow the Mince onions and sauté until golden and soft. Blend golden brown. &klp_main_index.html Makes 12–13 rolls https://www.mrfood.com/Editors-Picks/16-Traditional- instructions on the back of the box. Eggplant Casserole Passover-Favorites

3 tablespoons oil