We’re excited to have you join us for this year’s Temple Emanu-El Community Seder.
Why a Potluck?
The potluck seder at Temple Emanuel is a cherished tradition that strengthens our sense of community and connection. By coming together to share a meal, each person contributes to the collective experience, bringing their own dish to pass. This communal sharing mirrors the unity and cooperation that the Passover story teaches, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community. With soup and ritual foods provided, the potluck invites everyone to contribute their own unique flavors and traditions, fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere where we can celebrate, reflect, and bond as a congregation. It’s a beautiful way to embody the spirit of togetherness and gratitude that lies at the heart of Passover.
What Should I Bring?
We ask that everyone who would like to attend bring a dairy or vegan Kosher for Passover dish to pass.
For folks whose last names start with A – G, please bring a salad; H – S, please bring a main dish; and T – Z, please bring a dessert.
Drinks, matzah, and the ceremonial foods of the seder plate will be provided.
What is a Kosher-for-Passover dish, you ask?
Foods prohibited during Passover (“chametz”) are generally any food containing wheat, rye, barley, oats, or spelt. This includes baked goods, leavened bread, and pasta.
Because they may contain ingredients that are chametz, the following products require a certification on the package indicating that they are kosher for Passover: cookies, cakes, crackers, etc; matzah and any product containing matzah, matzah flour, or matzah meal; candy (including chocolate); ice cream; oil; soft drinks; vinegar; wine; yogurt; an processed foods, including tuna fish, tomato sauce, etc.
Passover certification is not necessary for fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and fish.
Kitniyot (Hebrew for “legumes”) are beans, corn, millet, peas, rice, soy (including tofu), mustard, buckwheat, green beans, and sesame seeds. They are traditionally eaten by Sephardi, but not Ashkenazi, Jews during Passover. In recent years, however, more Ashkenazi Jews have followed the Sephardi practice of considering them not to be chametz. Although peanuts and peanut oil are derived from legumes, both communities have always considered them kosher for Passover. If you bring an item with kitniyot, please label it clearly.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to the office at emanuelrochester@gmail.com or 585-461-2000 ext. 203.