Passover In Essex County: Israel Flights, Model Seder, Special Menus

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Passover is just around the bend, and preparations have been happening across Essex County in anticipation of the holiday.

Passover is one of the more important holidays among observant Jews, marking their ancestors' escape from Egypt under the pharaoh and their return to Israel. While it is traditionally a holiday that lasts for a week, many people — particularly in the United States — observe just the first two nights.

This year, Passover will begin at sundown on Saturday, April 12. It will end at sundown on Sunday, April 20.

Many residents in Essex County and New Jersey will be taking part in beloved traditions, such as hosting a Seder meal and sharing stories (see below).

Meanwhile, some other major milestones have been taking place ahead of the holiday in New Jersey.

FLIGHTS RESUME

In February, United Airlines announced that it was restarting service from New York/Newark to Tel Aviv, Israel on March 15, with a second daily flight planned to begin March 29.

The news got a thumbs-up from Gov. Phil Murphy, who said he welcomes the decision to resume non-stop service to Tel Aviv from Newark Liberty International Airport.

“Last week, I spoke with airline leadership following my meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog about the negative impact caused by the lack of flights,” Murphy said.

“Israel remains a critical ally and economic partner to our state,” the governor added. “This important move eases travel difficulties for businesses, the Jewish community, and many others in New Jersey and will allow families to travel to see loved ones or host them in time for the Passover holiday.”

MODEL SEDER

On Tuesday, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ hosted 30 Holocaust survivors and second-generation caregivers for the JFS Café Europa Passover Model Seder (see photo below). Attendees included Max Kleinman of West Orange, who will be celebrating his 103rd birthday.

The afternoon of “tradition, connection and remembrance” was led by Rabbi Solomon of Chabad of Short Hills, and was held at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange.

For more information about Café Europa and Holocaust Survivor Services in Essex, Morris and Sussex counties, call JFS MetroWest 973-637-1704 (English) or 973-637-1716 (Russian).

SPECIAL MENUS

Several restaurants in Essex County have rolled out special menus and menu items in advance of the holiday.

• Eppes Essen Deli & Restaurant in Livingston – which was ranked as “One of the Best Jewish Deli's in New Jersey” – has posted a Passover menu on its website.
• Mikki and Al’s Noshery in Montclair also had a Passover catering menu this year.
• Liv Breads in Millburn posted a Passover dessert preorder menu earlier this month.

PASSOVER HOLIDAY: THINGS TO KNOW

As explained in a recent Patch article, here are some things to know about the Passover holiday:

Sundown? Why Does It Start At Sundown?

In Judaism, it's not only the holidays that start at sundown but every day. In the Book of Genesis, it says that "it was evening and it was morning." So, Jews consider that to mean that the evening comes first and then morning, and that's how the days are marked. It's something that has also taken on the added meaning of: Things may seem dark at first, but there will be light and it will get better.

What Exactly Is Passover?

Did you see "The Ten Commandments"? That's pretty much the story. It commemorates Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt and back to Israel. It is the story with the 10 plagues and, while in the desert, the Jews receive the Ten Commandments.

Isn't There Something About Bread?

The story has it that the Jews were in such a rush to leave Egypt with the pharaoh's army chasing them that they did not have time for the bread they made to rise. So, Jews remember that by only eating unleavened bread – or matzoh – for the week.

Tell Me About The Seder

The Seder is the traditional meal each night of Passover. During the meal, there is a combination of special readings that tell the story of the escape from Egypt but also special foods that are used to illustrate parts of the story — bitter herbs, for instance.

Special Readings?

The story of Passover is relayed in a book called "The Haggadah," which is Hebrew for "the telling." It relays the story of life in Egypt, the exodus into the desert and the return to Israel. It is a mixture of stories, prayers and song.

There are many people who usually travel to someone else's Seder and use that family's "Haggadah." For those people, Haggodot.com has a setup allowing you to make your own, and even include family pictures.

The Last Supper?

Not everyone realizes this, but many people believe the Last Supper was actually a Passover Seder. The Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew all refer to Jesus having a Passover meal with the apostles.

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