Friday, March 6, 2015

Oh My! The Countdown To Passover -- Plan & Prepare Now - Shop & Save!

Countdown to Passover! It's Not The Last Minute - But It Will Be!!

Here it comes...the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach) begins on April 4! and for many of us who celebrate this extraordinary holiday commemorating the birth of the Jewish people when they gained their freedom from slavery, we experience the twin delight of the impending Spring Season AND the Passover Seders (“Seder” translates to “Order” of Service) and the week long holiday celebrations which follow. 
Preparing for Passover

This year, the First Seder of Passover falls on the Sabbath, Friday evening, April 3rd.. This gathering of family and friends enables us to repeat the story of the Exodus in our homes and heralds a week which infuses a penetrating consciousness on everyday activities. By eating unleavened bread which is devoid of the “puffiness” which yeast creates, we remind ourselves annually that we, too, need to take a step back and see to what extent we need to be more humble and less “puffed up!”

This week-long substitution of matzah for bread centers around our most basic need of eating for sustenance; it creates a bridge of reminders at every meal to engage ourselves in a heartfelt self-analysis of what we can do to live in the moment as the best of ourselves that we can be. And we can only be our best selves if we are freed of the hindering constraints under which each of us labor—the self-doubt, the worries, the unfilled resolutions, etc. In fact, these meals which contain no leavened bread, remind us of another basic human precept: to live the Golden Rule—doing what is pro-actively right and good and humble for ourselves so that we can reach out to others and do right by them.

So how to get ready for this intense, but amazing week-long holiday? Planning! And more Planning!! Whether you are the household conducting the Seder for family and friends or you will be a guest at a first and/or second Seder, the following countdown list should provide a meaningful guide...starting now!
The meaning of Passover

A Bit of Study. So much has been written about Passover: the personal journey the holiday can inspire--living fully and righteously in the moment for your benefit and others; choosing a Haggadah booklet (a “Telling” or “Narration”) which best meets your spiritual and inclinations; the history of the holiday and how it pertains to us; how to prepare and conduct a Seder; how to make a Seder especially kid-friendly (including books and child-friendly Haggadot.) Take a look at these sources and add a new, meaningful volume to your Passover collection or start a brand new one! Suggested Haggadah Books:  
     The Artscroll Children's Haggadah ($10.79)
     The Night That Unites Passover... ($21.74) 
     The Szyk Haggadah: Freedom Illustrated ($34.99)
                                                                                                                              
Invitations. If you are opening your home for a Seder or any of the meals for Passover week, now is the time to consult your calendar, determine the day(s) you will be hosting, develop your guest list, and get out your invitations by phone, email, snail mail, carrier pigeon(!), ie., whatever it takes! Last minute invites add stress on everyone, so this is a very important first step. Besides, knowing that you are committed and that people are counting on you is a great incentive to follow-through on the next steps!! Take a look at the following sources to make the job a bit easier: Suggested Invitation and Greeting Cards:
     12 Multicolored Grape Greeting Card Designs - $26.95

Preparing for Passover Meals: Tableware and Ceremonial Objects. Passover is believed to be one of the first multi-media presentations in history offered from one generation to another designed to tell a story to children; in this case, the story of the Exodus. Clearly, adults learn something every year, too, and are often inspired to dress up and act out the story with their children as well as to provoke discussions that are meaningful for both their peers and the children in attendance. To enhance those experiences, the Haggadah, the booklet which is the guide to the sequential parts of the Seder, suggests certain ceremonial objects: a Haggadah for each person at the table, Seder Plate, a Matzah cover, Plague Bags for the children, a Matzah plate, a beautiful pillow case for the leader of the Seder, wine/juice decanters and cups, a pitcher and bowl for hand washing with a beautiful hand towel, lovely linens and
tableware, Afikomen gifts, etc. Do an inventory to determine what you will need to acquire before Seder/Passover time, and arrange your schedule to acquire the necessary items as soon as possible. Many are items which will reflect the beauty you associate with the holiday and which you will enjoy for years to come and may even be passed on as legacy items. So invest yourself in the search and the purchase(s). In addition to your local Jewish gift shop, there are so many remarkable online sources for Passover objects made in the U.S. and Israel as well as table linens. Take a look at these:

 Menus. Passover is a holiday of food! And more food! Despite the necessity to substitute matzah for conventional bread products, foods adapted to that constraint show up in bountiful measure. It's a holiday that offers us the opportunity to create dishes of memorable renown
“expected” by our family as well as to infuse our menu creations with the healthy Springtime bounty of vegetables and fruits. Consult your Passover recipes, hunt the internet for new ideas, buy a new addition to your Passover cookbook library—before you know it, your mouth will be watering in anticipation!! Take a look at some sources for classic and new cookbooks and interesting foodstuffs: 
                                                          New York Times Passover Cookbook ($20.69)
Joy of Kosher ($21.40)
Kitchen Objects. For those of us who “change our kitchen,” whether entirely or partially, it is important to augment our cleaning with an inventory of the cooking objects which bring memories and satisfaction during the many hours of preparation. Most of us add something new each year, whether its something practical--like a couple of new, sharp knives--or whimsical--like a brand new pot to cook your favorite Passover dish! Here's a couple of
Passover Kitchenware
sources that can help you fill in the holes:  
           A Greener Kitchen  
           Miriam's Eco/Green Earthen Cookware
           Magic Mill Double/Portable Slow Cooker
            (149.94)
           Myer Faberware Cookware - Large Selection)
           Metro Kitchen - Great Choices  

Spring Cleaning. Because it is important to remove all traces of leavened products (“chumatz”) from every corner of our homes before Passover begins, cleaning one's house from top to bottom is part of the (exhausting) ritual! So chunk the work down and commit to working through your home room-by-room over the next 2-3 weeks. Pay special attention to your kitchen to make it spotless and figure out your seating arrangements in your dining area so you will have enough chairs and table space for everyone. I find it helps tremendously to place name cards for each person who will be at the table; this puts you in control of the organized chaos by selecting tablemates who can benefit from each other's conversation and places children strategically for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of others at the table!
Cleaning for Passover
And seriously consider exploring the world of eco-green cleaning products; effective products that clean without noxious, harmful fumes and residue that can attack your immune system and can drain your energy. And the one thing you need now is as much of your natural immune function energy that you can muster!! Take a look at these sources to give your home the true cleanliness and freshness that you and your family deserve! Try these Companies/Products:    

Showtime. So give yourself a pat on the back when you get to this stage!! You are ready to take on the work of being the best you can be now that you are inspired by some Passover reading. Your guest list is finalized. Your table is set and it looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Your Menu is sure to please your family and friends. Your kitchen has had all the equipment you needed to create your culinery masterpieces. And your house sparkles with cleanliness—there is no “chumatz” anywhere to be found!
Have a Great Passover Feast!

And so, from my family to yours, may you enjoy a meaningful Passover. And whether spiritually or otherwise, hear closely the bit of wisdom and yearning that closes out the Haggadah: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

 This blog was prepared by Maxine Collin and Philip Eide - They hope you will share it with Family & Friends!


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