Passover Programs 2021
Happy Pesach everyone! Time to clean house, stock up on matzah, rid yourself of pesky chametz, and rehearse your Da-Dayenu‘s. As we prepare for yet another very different Passover, here are some great Passover Programs, Virtual Seders, and Pesach Resources to help you celebrate with your community here in Maine.
HEBREW SCHOOL CHOCOLATE SEDER
Presented by Congregation Etz Chaim in Biddeford
Thursday, March 25th | 5:00 PM
You are invited to an UN-traditional Chocolate Seder. Our special Haggadah will teach us about
the traditional order of the Passover seder, and the significance of special seder objects. This is not a scholarly lesson on Passover, but it is designed to help us to understand the special holiday that is about to take place.
To RSVP and receive Zoom information, contact Cantor Beth Strassler cantorstrassler@gmail.com
FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT AND EREV PASSOVER ZOOM SERVICE
Presented by B’nai Portland
Friday, March 26th | 6:00 PM
Please Join B’nai Portland for our March Shabbat and Passover Zoom service. You are encouraged to have your Shabbat candles and beverage of choice at the ready.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87444153879?pwd=SHZsTWNGdlNENzdHdzkzU0lOeURidz09
Meeting ID: 874 4415 3879 | Passcode: 923650
PESACH
With Chabad Lubavitch of Maine
March 27 – April 4
Order matzah, meals, seder plates, and more! Sell your chametz. RSVP for a socially distanced and Covid safe Passover Seder.
Visit chabadofmaine.com/passover for your Passover needs
VIRTUAL PASSOVER MORNING SERVICES
Presented by Temple Beth El
March 28 & 29; April 3 & 4 | 9:30 AM
Join Rabbi Braun and friends for virtual Passover morning services. Please note that we are using a few different links, so you’ll need to click on the link associated with the date of the service you would like to attend.
Zoom links:
Sunday, April 4 at 9:30am (including Yizkor)
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
Presented by Beth Israel Congregation
Sunday, March 28th | 5:00 PM
Join together for Beth Israel’s virtual seder!
https://www.bethisraelbath.org/new-events/2018/3/31/community-passover-seder-tad2t-3blrj-9a24t
CONGREGATIONAL SECOND NIGHT OF PASSOVER SEDER ON ZOOM
Presented by Congregation Bet Ha’am
Sunday, March 28th | 5:30 PM
Join us in telling the story of our redemption at this fun, interactive, family-friendly Seder. All are welcome!
Seder registration closes at 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 26. The link to join the seder will be sent by 4:00 PM on Friday, March 26 to all who registered by the noontime deadline. Depending on your email provider’s filters, your Zoom links may end up in an alternative inbox, the trash folder, or even spam. Please check those locations if you can’t find your link in your inbox.
Register: https://bethaam.typeform.com/to/F22wrwop
SCHMOOZE BEFORE THE SEDER!
Our online Zoom seder will begin at 5:30 PM (and the Zoom invite will indicate 5:30 PM). However, our Zoom room will open at 5:00 PM for anyone who would like to sign on a little early to schmooze. You are welcome to sign on anytime after 5:00 PM to say hi and chat with friends before the seder begins at 5:30 PM.
RECOVERY-ORIENTED SEDER
Presented by the JCA and co-sponsored by the Portland Recovery Community Center
Hosted on Zoom by JCA volunteer Rebecca Bass
Sunday, March 28th | 6:00 PM
A Passover seder is a ritual meal during which Jews retell the story of Exodus and talk about how it is relevant today. During this seder, we will explore how recovery from substance use disorder relates to the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. We will share our own journeys to personal freedom and how those journeys continue today. This intimate event is designed for people in the recovery community, regardless of religion or beliefs. Event will be limited to 12 participants.
Rebecca Bass, JCA volunteer and former JCA Program Coordinator, will lead the seder. Rebecca has been in recovery for nearly four years, and she led the JCA’s first Recovery Seder in 2019.
Please contact Deena Schoenfeld with any questions at dschoenfeld@mainejewish.org.
Free. Advanced registration required by Thursday 3/25 to receive the Zoom link and a digital PDF of the special Haggadah booklet we will be using.
Register: https://mainejewish.z2systems.com/eventReg.jsp?event=76080&
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER!
Presented by Temple Shalom Auburn
Sunday, March 28th | 6:30 PM
The seder will, as usual, be led by Rabbi Sruli and Rebbetzin Lisa, along with our very musical children, Zachary, Johnny and Charlie. We will chant kiddush together, dip together, eat Matzah and Maror together, hide the Afikomen together, relive the Passover story together, and, most of all, sing and dance together! There will also be a very special presentation of the Ma Nishtanah by our Hebrew School children. And…The Unattended Son, a Passover memoir from Rebbetzin Lisa. Please note the start time.
Contact Julie at temple6359@aol.com for the Zoom link
CHAMETZ SALES
With Temple Beth El
Chametz (literally that which is leavened), are foods that are prohibited during all of Passover. Chametz is created when any of these five grains: wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt, have been mixed with a liquid and allowed to stand for more than 18 minutes. Some Ashkenazi Jews also include rice, millet, corn and legumes. (See The Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide for more information: www.rabbinical assembly.org) Our Tradition says that we must not own any chametz during the 8 days of Passover. We are either to throw it away, burn it, give it away or store it in such a way that we are sure not to use it during the holiday. Its actual ownership is transferred to a non-Jew until the holiday ends.
It is customary to make a donation for Maot Chittim – literally ‘wheat money’ – so that those without means will be able to prepare for the holiday. We donate these contributions to MAZON – A Jewish Response to Hunger(www.mazon.org).
Form: https://files.constantcontact.com/209bb2f8001/a560fcc1-f9df-4824-a544-422fa0ee8408.pdf
MATZAH MENTORS
Presented by Temple Beth El
Does dayenu, four cups, and four questions echo through your memory banks? Are you looking to do something a little different and want to put together a custom Haggadah (text/narrative/songster) for this year’s Seder (Passover’s ritual celebratory gathering and meal)? Do you feel overwhelmed with even the thought of Passover’s fast approach? Don’t worry – TBE’s Matzah Mentors are here to save the day!
The Matzah Mentors, Passover superheroes Danika Kuhl and Lorin Troderman, have been creating, leading, and attending Seders for decades and are now available to help you on your way! With Passover fast approaching (it starts March 27, eek!), Danika and Lorin will help you craft a personalized Haggadah for you and your family and help you fulfill the mitzvah of seeing yourself as having been liberated from Mitzrayim (Egypt and those narrow, constricting spaces). Not only will this be a fun experience, but you will create a family heirloom that you can use, modify, and grow over a lifetime!
Your Matzah Mentor will provide you with one (or two!) phone/video sessions to get your Haggadah going. Fill out the registration form below to get started!
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT1vRgJjfHI0IRjF3yIOtlRYLiF6iZKFGonbQ02n3SiyVucg/viewform
Did we miss your Passover event? Please email Trevor with any requests.