Just after Sukkot this past October, we commemorated the 25th Yahrzeit of Hilton Nelson, z’l. The verynotion that so many years have gone by since his passing was itself a stunning fact to absorb. To mark theoccasion, the entire community was invited to study The Blessing of Gratitude with noted scholar, Rabbi JacobJ. Schacter. Examining texts from the Bible and the Talmud, Rabbi Schacter explored various facets ofgratitude and demonstrated how the expression of gratitude is the core of Jewish religious and spiritualidentity. So many people from every affiliation in our community were present online to honor Hilton’smemory, which only demonstrated how beloved he was and how he touched the lives of so many.

As we have pointed out over the years, it was at Passover that Hilton brought together his pharmacologicalknowledge and his love of Judaism. Now a quarter century since his passing, we can recall with a touch ofnostalgia, how Hilton attended to the community at the back of ‘Drug Fair,’ assembling prescriptions for allthe customers coming in hurriedly during the days before Passover and answering questions about the kashrutof the medications that he was dispensing. Hilton had a calming and reassuring presence on everyone, andafter all these years, people remember that not only did he dispense the medications with a great knowledge,but he also dispensed them with patience, kindness and compassion.

Hilton lived with tremendous gratitude for his life, his family and his community. He considered it a greatmitzvah, and a unique privilege, to serve people throughout the entire year. His loss is so deeply felt but hismemory inspires us still.

We have been publishing the Passover Guide in Hilton’s memory since the year of his passing. With theexception of the dates and special times (and maybe a menu item here or there), Passover really doesn’t changefrom year to year; however, the circumstances of our lives do change, sometimes quite extraordinarily. Lastyear we experienced a “Passover like no other,” and unfortunately, this year will be much of the same becauseso many of our loved ones will still not be able to be with us. Moreover, the feeling of longing this Passover iscompounded by the loss of so many during the last twelve months from the virus and other causes. May theirmemories be a blessing.

Yet even under these challenging circumstances, as we learned back in October, our tradition teaches us to begrateful: for life, family, and community; and for our precious heritage which has inspired us throughout ourhistory to live with hope throughout every period of darkness, and to rejoice not only by recalling the miraclesof our past, but by casting our eyes toward the miracles and cherished moments of our future. Our blessing toeach other this Passover is: May we be able to celebrate together as a community soon.

With wishes for a joyous and meaningful Passover,

Rabbi Eliot Isaac Malomet

This booklet is published in gratitude by the Nelson Family and with proceeds from the Hilton Nelson Memorial Fund.

In hisc

When it came

t

We willa

But despite the abundance of materials available to us, nothing will

r

Hilton Nelson Z”LJULY 3, 1930 – NOVEMBER 1, 1995 (8 CHESHVAN, 5756)

HOW IS THIS PASSOVER DIFFERENT?This year the Eve of Passover falls on Shabbat (Shabbat Erev Pesach.) For that reason, all of the majorpreparations for Passover have to be completed by Friday. Our tradition is that while we can still consumeHametz on Shabbat, we must rid the house of Hametz (with the exception of a small amount for the Shabbatevening and morning meals) and complete the sale and burning of Hametz at the usual time, around middayon Friday.

Here is a summary of the rules for Shabbat Erev Pesach.

The Fast of the Firstborn, and Siyyum, takes place on Thursday.

Bi’ur Hametz (burning of Hametz) should take place prior to midday on Friday; however, Bitul Hametz (theformula for nullifying the Hametz) is not recited on Shabbat at midday.

Our custom is to have all preparations for Passover completed on Friday and prepare the Shabbat foods withPassover pots and utensils making sure (obviously) not to use any Hametz foods. We set aside challahs for theShabbat evening and daytime meals, and they are to be consumed away from the areas that are alreadyprepared for Passover. (Some eat these meals on disposables so as to avoid any confusion.) Hametz for thesecond Shabbat meal may not be eaten after 10:58 a.m. on Shabbat. Any remaining hametz crumbs and thelike should be discarded or flushed. The Bitul Hametz is recited by midday. The third Shabbat meal can befulfilled with fruit or other non-Hametz foods (meat or fish.) The first Seder should not begin until theconclusion of Shabbat.

PREPARING FOR PASSOVERWhile there are numerous online guides that go into great detail, what follows here is a brief digest of themost common guidelines for Passover preparation. If you have specific questions, please do not hesitate tocontact Rabbi Malomet by phone (908-794-5959) or by email (elmalomet@aol.com.)

The easiest way to prepare for Passover is to have a dedicated set of Passover dishes and utensils. Majorappliances can be kashered.

Certain kinds of materials, such as earthenware and stoneware, cannot be kashered. Our practice is that finechina that was put away clean and that has not been used for at least one Jewish calendar year may be usedafter thorough detergent and hot water washing. The china is then considered pareve and may be designatedfor meat or dairy use.

To kasher an item it is important to remember that the way something is used with the food is the way it ispurged of that food. Items such as glass or metal serving dishes or bowls, used only for cold food, are kasheredby rinsing them in cold water. Items used in preparing hot food are kashered by immersion in boiling water.Items used directly on a fire or in an oven require the most intense method of kashering, which is with adirect flame such as a blow torch, or by being placed in a superheated oven.

METAL POTS AND UTENSILSThoroughly clean and rinse the item, applying cleanser to handles and fasteners, then let sit for 24 hours.Using protective tongs, immerse the item completely in a large pot of boiling water. If it is too big, immerseone pot at a time, making sure that all of it comes into contact with the boiling water. Rinse. It is now kosher.

Metal pans used for baking can be kashered by thoroughly scrubbing them and placing them in an oven atthe maximum setting; however, most prefer separate Passover baking pans.

Metal kitchen sinks can be kashered by thoroughly applying cleanser and scrubbing and rinsing, waiting 24hours, and then carefully pouring boiling water over all the surfaces of the sink.

Non-metal sinks cannot be kashered. They should be thoroughly cleaned and specially designated dairy andmeat dish tubs should be used.

GLASSGlass dishes used for eating and serving hot foods should be washed thoroughly. After 24 hours, immerse inboiling water.

Glass cookware should be thoroughly scoured with cleanser. After 24 hours, it should be subjected to thehighest heat possible or a flame.

Drinking glasses or glass dishes used only for cold foods are placed in a tub for 72 hours, changing the waterevery 24 hours.

PLASTICSHeavy duty plastics including dishes, cutlery or serving items, providing they can withstand very hot waterand do not permanently stain, may be kashered in the same manner as metal, cleaning, waiting and boiling.

APPLIANCESFor ranges, every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly cleansed. Following a waitingperiod, it should be heated as hot as possible so that it reaches its highest temperature. The area around theburners should be covered with foil, disposable aluminum burner bibs or range protectors. Ovens that have aself-cleaning feature can be kashered simply by employing this setting. All ash should be wiped away.

Smooth, glass top electric ranges require kashering by applying cleanser thoroughly, wiping, then allow it tosit for 24 hours. Following that, set to maximum heat.

Regular microwave ovens are cleaned thoroughly. After 24 hours, place a glass of water inside and operate onhigh until all the water evaporates.

DISHWASHERSA dishwasher needs to be cleaned as thoroughly as possible including the inside area around the drainage andfilters. Then a full cycle with detergent (with racks in) should be run while the dishwasher is empty. After 24hours of not being used the dishwasher is again run empty (with racks in, and no detergent) and set on thehighest heat for the purpose of kashering. If the sides of the dishwasher are made of enamel or porcelain, thedishwasher cannot be kashered for Passover.

SURFACESTables, closets, and counters should be thoroughly cleaned and covered for Passover. Many counter topsurfaces can be kashered. Clean thoroughly, wait 24 hours then pour boiling water over them. No covering isneeded after that. Kasherable surfaces include: granite, marble, glass, Corian, Staron, Ceasarstone, Swanstone,Surell and Avonite. Wood without scratches can also be kashered that way. Ceramic, cement or porcelaincounter tops cannot be kashered.

Refrigerator and freezer surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with detergent. Covering those surfaces is notnecessary.

SELLING HAMETZThe Torah prohibits the ownership of Hametz during Passover.

In recent years it has become customary to donate all Hametz from our home to a local food pantry. This is afitting mitzvah prior to Passover.

When Hametz remains in the house during Passover one is required to divest of its ownership. This isaccomplished by means of a sale that transfers ownership of the Hametz to a non-Jew who places adownpayment on the Hametz and takes possession of it for the duration of the holiday. When the holidayconcludes and the balance is due, the sale is voided thus the Hametz reverts to its original owner. Instructionsfor this sale are found on the back of this booklet.

MA’OT HITTIM - HELPING THOSE IN NEEDIt is customary to also make a donation at the time of the sale to enable the needy to have food on Passover.You may make donations to the Rabbi’s Tzedakah Fund.

PROHIBITED FOODSAll ordinary non-Passover foods containing ingredients derived from wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye (grainsthat can become hametz) are prohibited.

KITNIYOT - LEGUMESIn recent years the question of eating ‘kitniyot’ has become a prominent subject in the evolving observance ofPassover. Traditionally, the Ashkenazim refrained from these foods, while Sephardim consumed them.

The reasons for this divergence in practice are fascinating but too complex for this brief guide. In recent yearsthe Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, as well as the Masorti Movement inIsrael, have permitted these foods. For more information please consult with Rabbi Malomet.

NOT ALL FOODS REQUIRE PASSOVER CERTIFICATIONThese products may be purchased without a Passover certification before or during Passover: baking soda,eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh or frozen kosher meat (other than chopped meat), pure black, green, orwhite tea leaves, unflavored tea bags, unflavored regular coffee, olive oil, whole or gutted fresh fish,unprocessed spices and nuts.

THESE FOODS DO NOT REQUIRE PASSOVER CERTIFICATIONIF PURCHASED BEFORE PASSOVERKosher filleted fish, frozen fruit (no additives), non-iodized salt, pure white sugar (no additives), quinoa (withnothing mixed in), unsalted Grade A butter, all regular milk. Consult www.oukosher.org/passover/ for a fulllist.

FOODS REQUIRING PASSOVER CERTIFICATIONAll baked goods, matzah products, cakes, frozen processed foods, candy, canned tuna, cheeses, chocolate milk,decaf coffee, decaf tea, herbal tea, ice cream, liquor, vinegar, wine, yogurt, soft drinks.

BABY FOODPure vegetable prepared baby food that is kosher the year round is acceptable for Passover. In homes wherekitniyot are not consumed, it is permissible to provide kitniyot to babies provided it does not mix withregular Passover food and utensils.

MEDICINESPrescription medicines are permitted. Non-prescription pills and capsules are permitted; for liquids, checkwith the Rabbi.

PETSPassover pet foods are available, pet foods with no grain, or food off your own table which is already kosherfor Passover. Kitniyot would be permissible. If you have these pet foods in your home be careful to keep themaway from the general kitchen area. Washing of pet utensils should be done out of the kitchen area.

NON-FOOD ITEMSItems such as aluminum products, ammonia, baby oil, bleach, candles, contact paper, charcoal, coffee filters,dishwashing soap, laundry and dishwasher detergent, fabric softener, isopropyl alcohol, oven cleaner, paperbags, paper plates, plastic cutlery, plastic wrap, polish powder, sanitizers, scouring pads, stain remover, waterwith no additives, and wax paper do not need Passover certification.

BEDIKAT HAMETZThis year, because Passover falls on Saturday evening, we perform the Bedikat Hametz (search for the leaven)on Thursday evening, March 25, after 7:45 p.m. Prior to the search we set several pieces of Hametzthroughout the house. To commence the search, we recite the following blessing:

BARUKH ATA ADONAI ELOHEINU MELEKH HA-OLAM ASHER KIDSHANU BE-MITZVOTAV VE-TZIVANU AL BI’UR HAMETZ.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, Rule of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with the commandments, andcommanded us to remove all leaven.”

We then proceed from room to room by candlelight collecting the Hametz with a feather and wooden spoon.When the search is complete we recite the following “nullification of Hametz:”

KOL HAMIRA VA-HAMI’A DE-IKA BIRSHUTI D’LA HAMITEY U-D’LA VI-ARTEY, U-D’LA YADANALEY, LIBATEL VE-LEHEVEY HEFKER KE-AFRA DE-AR’A.

“All Hametz in my possession which I have not seen or removed, or of which I am unaware, IS HEREBYNULLIFIED AND OWNERLESS AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH!”

This should be burned or discarded by Friday midday. In normal years we would recite a second“nullification of Hametz” at this time, but since we are permitted to eat Hametz until Shabbat (10:58 a.m.),we recite the second “nullification” only after the remaining Hametz is discarded by midday on Shabbat.

CANDLE LIGHTING FOR SHABBAT YOM TOV

On Friday evening the regular blessing for Shabbat candle lighting is recited.

Following the conclusion of Shabbat, the holiday candles are lit (from a pre-existing flame). Prior to lighting,

one should say: Baruch hamavdil beyn kodesh likodesh (Blessed is God who distinguishes between the holy and

the holy,) and then recite the blessing le-hadlik ner shel Yom Tov followed by the shehecheyanu. The candle

lighting blessings are recited Sunday evening as well as nightfall.

A SEDER INVOCATION

Dear Friends and Family,

Bruchim Ha-Ba’im Le-Seder Pesach! Welcome to our Passover Seder!

During this unique time of world pandemic, we begin our Seder mindful of the great challenges that remain

ahead of us. We are thinking of the millions of people throughout the world who have faced suffering and

loss, and we remember family and friends whose lives have been lost during the past year. We pray for

comfort and healing. We pray that God grant wisdom and strength to all who are engaged in

caring for the afflicted, and all who are engaged in the historic

vaccination efforts that are taking place at this time.

As we begin to retell our people’s story, we miss our dearest family and friends who cannot be with us in

person, and we pray that we will be able to gather soon in festive celebration.

At this evening, the anniversary of our redemption, let us rejoice for the blessings of our lives

and all that we have learned during this difficult time. May we live up to the

responsibilities entrusted to us by the privilege of being born into freedom.

Together with our fellow Jews who gather throughout the world, we pray that

God guard us and protect us, and bless us with health and peace.

Sing: Oseh Shalom Bimromav

ZAKHOR, REMEMBER! This year is the 78th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising whichbegan on the eve of Passover, April 19, 1943. The uprising continued several weeks and resulted in thetotal destruction of the Ghetto.

ZAKHOR, REMEMBER! The Park Hotel Massacre took place in Netanya, Israel on March 27, 2002.This horrific attack by a Hamas suicide bomber killed 30 Isrealis and wounded 140. It was the deadliestattack during the Second Intifada.

Hig

hlan

d Pa

rk C

onse

rvat

ive Te

mpl

eC

ongr

egat

ion

Ans

he E

met

h20

1 So

uth

Thi

rd A

venu

eH

ighl

and

Park

, NJ 08

904

Sale of

Ham

etzForm

If y

ou are

una

ble to

tra

nsfe

r ow

nershi

p of

you

r ha

metz

in p

erso

n, y

ou m

ay fill

out

thi

s fo

rm and

sen

d it to

Rab

biM

alom

et. Forms must be received by the deadline,Friday, March 26 at 12 noon.

I/W

e __

____

____

____

____

____

____

her

eby

auth

orize

Rab

bi E

liot Isaa

c M

alom

et to

disp

ose

of a

ll ha

metz

that

may

be

in m

y/ou

r po

sses

sion

dur

ing

Passov

er 5

781

whe

reve

r it m

ay b

e, a

t ho

me, p

lace

of bu

sine

ss, o

r else

whe

re,

in a

ccor

danc

e with

the

requ

irem

ents o

f Je

wish

Law a

nd a

ll de

taile

d te

rms an

d fo

rms as

exp

lain

ed in

the

gene

ral

auth

orizat

ion

cont

ract

whi

ch m

embe

rs o

f thi

s co

ngre

gation

hav

e gi

ven

to h

im.

Sign

atur

e:__

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_

Add

ress: _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

Oth

er p

lace

s whe

re h

ametzis lo

cate

d:__

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

Enc

lose

d is m

y ch

eck

for $_

____

_ to

the H

PCT-

CAE P

asso

ver Fu

nd to

help

feed

the ne

edy

at th

is ti

me of

yea

r.

NO

N-P

RO

FIT

OR

G.

U.S

. P

OS

TA

GE

PAID

New

Bru

nsw

ick, N

.J.

Perm

it N

o. 267