Southern Maine Seders and Passover Programs 2022
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 Passover, here are 13 great Passover Events to help you celebrate with your community here in Southern Maine.
CHOCOLATE SEDER
Presented by Etz Chaim, Biddeford
Thursday, April 7th | 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Join Us on Zoom for the Sweetest Seder You’ll Ever Attend (Led by our Hebrew School families and Congregation Etz Chaim Community Members)! It may sound a little whacky, but it’s a great way to gear up for Passover! So don’t delay – Register today to reserve your bag of Seder supplies, including:
- Chocolate Seder Haggadah
- Chocolate Egg for the Seder Plate
- Nutella “Mud” (representing spring)
- Ten (mostly edible) Plagues, such as M&M “Hail” and Animal Cracker “Wild Beasts”
- Seder supplies are limited and are currently pick-up only.
Remember: You must register on Zoom to receive the link. We hope to see you there!
HOW TO LEAD (AND FOLLOW) A SEDER WITH RABBI BRAUN
Presented by Temple Beth El during Spirits and Spirits at Maine Craft Distilling
Thursday, April 7th | 5:30-7:00 PM
Do you feel overwhelmed with even the thought of Passover’s fast approach? Does dayenu, four cups, and four questions echo through your memory banks? Have questions about how to be an active and engaged participant? Rabbi Braun will be focusing the April 7th Spirits and Spirits on all things Seder related.
FREE SEDER PLATE KITS, SEPHARDIC CHAROSET KITS, AND MATZAH
Presented by Temple Beth El
Orders must be placed by Sunday, April 10
This year TBE will be sponsoring ready-made Seder plate kits, Sephardic charoset making kits, and matzah free of cost. Please note that we will including a roasted beet instead of a shank bone and the charoset kits include the following ingredients: dates, raisins, figs, mandarin orange, almonds, cinnamon, cayenne, and grape juice. Please use the order form below to reserve yours today!
Items will be available for pick-up on:
- Wednesday, April 13 from 9:30am-12pm and 2-6pm
- Thursday, April 14 from 12-5pm
BENREUBEN’S KOSHER FOR PASSOVER POP-UP
Presented by Temple Beth El
All orders are due by April 10th
BenReuben’s Knishery will be offering a limited supply, pre-order only pop-up that will likely include braised brisket, roasted chicken, matzo ball soup, and a few sides. These items will be prepared in our kashered kitchen, so they will be 100% kosher for Passover.
Email the items and quantities you would like to order to hello@benreubensknishery.com. You will receive a response letting you know if the items you would like are still available, along with payment and pickup instructions. All items are available on a first come, first served basis.
All orders will be ready for pick-up from TBE on Friday, April 15th.
MODEL MATZAH BAKERY
Presented by Chabad of Brunswick at their Outdoor Tent
Sunday April 10th | 2:00 PM
Bake your own Matzah and experience the ancient art of “Shmurah Matzah” baking!
In this fun and educational experience, participants dressed in baker’s hats, will experience the 18 minute journey of the Matzah from threshing and winnowing the wheat stalks to watching their fresh Matzah pop right out of an authentic Matzah oven. Each child will take home an individually boxed, full-sized, delicious Shmurah Matzah that is Kosher for Passover. Admission: $5 per child
PRE-PASSOVER TAMBOURINE PAINTING
Chabad of Maine, 11 Pomeroy Street, Portland, ME
Sunday, April 10th | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
You’re invited to The Jewish Women’s Circle’s Tambourine Painting – a guided step-by-step by the talented Leah Salow. For women and girls of all ages: paint a tambourine, and discover Miriam’s story and the power of women that made our freedom from slavery possible.
VIRTUAL PASSOVER FILM FESTIVAL
Presented by the JCA and Maine Jewish Film Festival in partnership with the Meyerson JCC Manhattan
April 14-24, 2022
Tickets: $5 per film; $18 – full festival pass
Enter our exclusive discount for 20% off: mjff2022
The Virtual Passover Film Festival, presented by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan supported by Maimonides Fund, is an exciting approach to engaging audiences with the themes of Passover through great films. For ten nights, we will present diverse and engaging movies on a variety of topics and genres that will allow people from all walks of life to incorporate Jewish and Israeli films into their Passover celebration.
All films will be streamed online on the Eventive platform. Eventive technical support and FAQ: https://watch.eventive.org/help
Learn more and get your tickets www.passoverfilmfestival.com
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDERS
Chabad of Maine, 11 Pomeroy Street, Portland, ME
Friday, April 15th | 6:15 PM
Saturday, April 16th | 9:00 PM
Featuring a gourmet 4-course meal, hand made Shmurah matzah, 4 cups of wine or grape juice, personal English-Hebrew Haggadahs, and beautiful insights into the Festival of Freedom. $40/person – $20/child.
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDERS
Chabad of Brunswick – At Chabad’s Heated Outdoor Tent
Friday, April 15th | 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 16th | 8:00 PM
Enjoy the holiday of freedom at an upbeat inspirational Seder, complete with a gourmet Passover dinner, the original hand-made Shmurah Matzah, and four cups of exquisite Kosher wine. Journey with us through the Haggadah, with traditional songs, stories, and spiritual insights. Our Seder is English friendly so everyone can feel welcome.
Limited Space. Registration required. Please RSVP by 4/10
FAMILY FRIENDLY SECOND NIGHT PASSOVER SEDER
In-person at Congregation Bet Ha’am, 67 Westbrook St. South Portland
Saturday, April 16th | 5:30 PM
Bet Ha’am’s family friendly second night Passover seder returns live and in-person, but with a twist! How is this different from Passover seder events in the past? On this night, we ask you to bring your own family’s dinner/dessert. The kitchen will not be available for heating/cooling/storing food, so we encourage you to create a cool Shulchan Orech (festive meal)–something you can enjoy at room temperature or from insulated containers. We’ll provide some ritual foods, vegetarian matzah ball soup, disposable dinnerware, cups, utensils, and napkins.
In addition to your own meal/dessert, please bring your own matzah, charoset, wine, and other beverages. We also need volunteers to bring seder plates and ritual foods to share with the table. If you can, please sign up when you complete the registration form below.
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
Presented by Beth Israel Congregation at the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street
Bath, ME
Saturday, April 16th | 12:00 – 2:00 PM
We won’t part the Red Sea, but we’ll kibitz along the Kennebec River on the Great Lawn! Join us on April 16 at noon for an abbreviated family-friendly potluck seder on the beautiful grounds of the Maine Maritime Museum. We’ll share in seder rituals, catch up with each other, meet new Beth Israel friends, and enjoy eating together again – picnic style. Children will engage in the telling of the Passover story and hunt for afikomen treasure.
Seder plates with ritual foods will be provided, and participants will enjoy free museum entry. Find registration details in your inbox or email for more info: office@bethisraelbath.org. RSVP by April 11.
RECOVERY-ORIENTED SEDER AT PRCC
Led by volunteer Rebecca Bass
Presented by the JCA in partnership with the Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC) – In person at PRCC – 102 Bishop Street, Portland
Saturday, April 16th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
During this special 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 background or beliefs.
Event will be limited to 12 participants. All participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. By registering, participants attest to full vaccination status.
Advanced registration required Monday 4/11
VIRTUAL COOKING DEMO: CHOCOLATE CARAMEL MATZO TOFFEE
Presented by Beth Israel Congregation and Now You’re Cooking
Thursday, April 21st | 5:00 PM
Save some matzo during Passover for this! Our favorite Beth Israel baker is returning to the Now You’re Cooking kitchen for this Facebook live event. Susan Horowitz of Beth Israel Congregation will bring this Passover recipe from Melissa Clark of the New York Times to our demo kitchen.
Here’s the recipe: https://acooksemporium.com/…/chocolate-caramel-matzo…/
Did we miss your Passover Event? Please email Trevor to be included!