Passover at K.I.
Passover celebrations mark the beginning of spring on the Jewish calendar. Intense preparations precede the holiday of our freedom, which begins with two festive seders. Below please find information about preparing for Passover and service and programming times at Knesset Israel.
Preparing for Passover:
The Rabbinical Assembly publishes an annual Passover guide about kosher-for-Passover food and best practices for making a kitchen and home ready for the holiday. The best bet for Passover shopping in the area is the Stop & Shop market on Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield. Click here for more information about finding kosher food in the Berkshires.
Preparation for Passover involves cleaning out all the hametz - leaven - from our homes. We encourage people to discard open hametz and to donate unopened hametz to a local food pantry, such as the one at South Congregational Church, Pittsfield. There are sometimes reasons (hard-to-reach crumbs, expensive grain liquor) to sell what might remain, rather than donate it or discard it, so that it will not be in your possession during the holiday. To appoint Rabbi Weiner as the agent to sell your hametz, click here. This particular sale works best for hametz in the Northeast.
Passover Programming:
Knesset Israel Families Together offers a Passover program for families in conjunction with Hebrew School - Wednesday, March 22, 5:15 p.m. Children and parents will explore music, art, and games related to Passover and seder. The program will conclude with dinner. Please RSVP. (Major funding provided by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation)
First Night Seder:
A first night seder presented by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and Knesset Israel takes place on Wednesday, April 5. Rabbi David Weiner, Noah Cook-Dubin, and Jonathan Denmark will lead guests through an engaging evening of song, study, discussion and celebration. The kosher meal is catered by Chris Goetze. Please click here to sign up through the Jewish Federation - $45/adult, $22/child over 4, free under 4, byo certified kosher wine. Scholarships are available - no one who wishes to attend seder will be turned away for financial hardship - please call the Jewish Federation (413) 442-4360 for more information.
Passover Service Times - April, 2023
Wednesday, April 5 – Eve of Passover/First Seder
Siyum for First-Born – with the Rabbinical Assembly RSVP 6:45 a.m. shaharit, 7:30 a.m. siyyum
Festival Maariv - sanctuary 6:00 p.m.
KI/JFB Seder – social hall 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 6- First Day of Passover/Second Seder
Festival Shaharit 9:30 a.m.
No Zoom davening
Friday, April 7 – Second Day of Passover
Festival Shaharit 9:30 a.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat (abbreviated) 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 – Shabbat Hol HaMoed – Third Day of Passover
Shaharit 9:30 a.m.
No Hebrew School
Sunday, April 9 – Fourth Day of Passover
Shaharit (Weekday Morning Minyan) 8:45 a.m.
Tuesday, April 11 – Sixth Day of Passover
No Zoom Davening
Wednesday, April 12 – Seventh Day of Passover
Festival Shaharit 9:30 a.m.
Hebrew School 4:15-6:15p.m.
Thursday, April 13 – Eighth Day of Passover
Festival Shaharit 9:30 a.m.
Yizkor (approximate time) 10:30 a.m.
Pesah Ritual Times
Turn in Hametz sale form to the KI office by Monday, April 3
Search for Hametz on Tuesday, April 4, after nightfall
Hametz burnt before 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5
Wednesday, April 5 – light candles no later than 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 – light* candles no earlier than 8:07 p.m.
Friday, April 7 – light* candles no later than 7:07 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 – havdala no earlier than 8:07 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11 – light candles no later than 7:12 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 – light* candles no earlier than 8:13 p.m.
*Best to transfer the flame, rather than light a fresh match or lighter.