Pesach 5785

Goals of Preparation

• Among other things, keeping kosher for Pesach means that by 12:01 PM on Friday, April 11th, we have burnt our chametz and by 10:54 AM on Saturday, April 12th, we have eaten our last chametz (see below for more details this year regarding Shabbat). We do this by:
  • Cleaning our homes of all chametz. 
  • Donating, throwing out or burning all chametz which would not keep until after Pesach. 
  • Moving all remaining chametz in our homes out of sight until after the holiday. 
  • Making the declaration which nullifies any minute amount of chametz which we could not find or extract. 
• Selling chametz which will keep until after Pesach. 

For details regarding preparations for the Passover festival when it begins Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night), please see the special section called “When Erev Pesah Falls on Shabbat” in the 5785 Pesach Guide. There are two options outlined in the guide. 

Find the Pesach Guide here.

Sell your chametz here!  Due to when Pesach starts this year, our form will close on Wednesday, April 9th at 4pm. Please plan ahead!

After dark on Thursday, April 10th (8:08 PM), once the house has been made kosher for Pesach, one member of the household places an agreed-upon number (usually 10) pieces of bread in various rooms. A candle is lit, the lights are turned off, and the blessing is recited. 

After the blessing, the search is preferably done in silence. The pieces of chametz are pushed into a paper bag, frequently with a feather and a wooden spoon. The formula for bitul chametz (nullification of the chametz) is then recited and the bag of chametz is set aside to be burned on Friday morning.  

Biur chametz (burning the chametz) is done on Friday, April 11th before 12:01 PM. First, recite the morning bitul chametz formula and then burn the chametz. The blessing and formulas for this beautiful ritual can be found here. 

All chametz must be eaten or nullified by 10:54 AM on Saturday, April 12th. There is an option to eat chametz on Shabbat if you wish, see the guide for details. 

You have the opportunity to sell your chametz through Beth Am with a form linked here. Complete this form by Wednesday, April 9th at 4 PM. Your chametz which you have stored for sale during Pesach will be available to you one hour after Pesach ends on Sunday, April 20th at 9:31 PM.

Sunday, March 30th | 4 PM | Women’s Pesach Celebration | Beth Am

This year, our Women’s Pesach Celebration (formerly Women’s Seder) will lean into our 50th Anniversary values, with special focus on Kehillah – Sacred Community. Together we will share wisdom, create art, and collaborate on how we can be in sacred community through turbulent moments. All who identify as women or non-binary (B’nai Mitzvah age and older) are welcome. Register by Monday, March 24th

Sunday, March 30th | 3 PM | JUFJ Social Justice Seder | Bolton Street Synagogue

JUFJ’s Social Justice Seder, “With Outstretched Arms,” will focus on immigrants’ rights, in partnership with CASA. Beth Am is a proud partner on this program. 

Wednesday, April 2nd | 6 PM | Baltimore’s Annual LGBTQ+ Seder | Bolton Street Synagogue  

Join the Baltimore LGBTQ+ Jewish community as we celebrate Passover! We welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community to a seder in commemoration of our ancestors crossing the Red Sea and our own journeys to liberation. Share your stories, celebrate our paths to freedom, and build a stronger community together. Beth Am is a proud partner on this program. 

Have extra seats at your seder table? In need of a home for Pesach? Complete this form to be matched with a seder or to offer a space at your table!

Our Chametz sale form will close on Wednesday, April 9th at 4pm. Please plan ahead!

Saturday, April 12th | First Night Seder

Sunday, April 13th | Second Night Seder

There is no LAB on April 13th, 16th, and 20th.

The Beth Am office will be closed on Monday, April 14th. 

Reminder: April Friday Night Shabbat Services and Dinners

Due to the timing of kashering the building for Pesach, we’ve moved Klei Kodesh up a week! Both Shabbat is Awesome and Klei Kodesh will take place on Friday, April 4th. A separate dinner will follow each service. Register here!