March 2006 Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration - Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

      Dear Friends – Even though Purim has not yet arrived, it’s not too early to begin thinking about Passover. This year’s Seder takes place on Wednesday, April 12. You can begin your Pesach Countdown as follows:
      Four weeks before the Seder (Starting March 12) — Find and count last year’s Haggadahs. If they look bad or if you suddenly remember how inappropriate they were, visit the Sinai Gift Shop and consider buying a new set of Haggadahs.
At the same time, look for the Passover handouts I’ve prepared over the years. They contain many, many readings and Seder suggestions. If you’ve lost the material, call the Temple office and I will make sure you receive some of the past handouts.
Go online as well to see what’s new for Passover 2006. Try www.urj.org or www.myjewishlearning.com. Of course, if you’re hosting the Seder, decide who to invite.
      Three weeks before the Seder — Talk with your Seder guests and decide who is cooking, baking, or bringing which part of the Seder. (Sharing the preparations makes life easier and also involves more people.) Buy some of the products you’ll need for Passover: new ketchup, new coffee. A full list will be available at our website www.sinai-temple.org.
      Two weeks before Passover — Make your chicken soup and matzah balls (then freeze them), and, while you’re in the kitchen, clean your cupboards. Clean your car. (It’s probably got crumbs from chametz scattered around from a year’s worth of snacking.) Have you decided which Haggadah to use? Have you considered what parts to give to your guests? Think about some relevant themes for the 2006 seder.
      One week before — Buy horseradish root for the maror on the Seder plate.
Buy a shankbone and Passover wine. Do place cards for your guests. Get out your Seder dishes. (Change to Passover dishes the night before if you do so.) Move aside those “chametz” cereal boxes and crackers. Watch the news to see how your Seder can reflect 2006 most powerfully.
      Wednesday, April 12 – Enjoy one of our people’s greatest evenings. Passover has arrived!