Pesach Services 2025
Yom Tov (holy day) services on the first and second days of Pesach (Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14) begin at 10:00am. Yom Tov services are in person and viewable online here. Kiddush lunch follows.
Chol hamo'ed (the days in between the holy days) services follow the schedule below. Note that we will not hold services at Beth Israel Center to bring in Shabbat on Friday evening, April 18.
Morning minyanim on Wednesday, April 15 through Friday, April 18 - hybrid (in person and on Zoom) - 7:15am
Evening minyanim on Wednesday, April 15 through Thursday, April 17 - Zoom only - 5:45pm
Email bic@bethisraelcenter.org if you need the Zoom link.
Shabbat-Pesach, April 19 - 9:15am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Yom Tov Services, Sunday, April 20 - 9:15am. Services will include Yizkor.
Yizkor
Yizkor is the memorial service recited on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Pesach and Shavuot. This year, we will recite Yizkor during Yom Tov services on Sunday, April 20.
The memories of our beloved family members are wired into our lives. We remember them at both predictable and seemingly random times, such as when we participate in activities they loved (or hated). Our spiritual tradition creates the opportunity for us to be purposeful in accessing these memories. Saying Yizkor creates a moment for us to channel this energy with our friends and community around us. Giving tzedakah associated with Yizkor is a reaction to that moment, as we put our stirred emotions into action in their memory.
Our 5785 Yizkor Memorial Books, enabled by the generous contributions of congregational members following this tradition, will be available on the day of Yizkor services. If you wish to make an additional contribution, pledge cards will be provided at the service, or you may donate online here, mail a check, or contact the office for assistance.
More about Yizkor: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yizkor-the-memorial-service/
Selling Chametz / Maot Chitin
Before Pesach, we are obligated to remove all chametz from our possession, through rigorous cleaning and by formally selling any chametz of value that we do not wish to destroy. You can sell your chametz using a document called a Shtar Mechira, which you can find here. If you would prefer to sell your chametz in person, please email ritual@bethisraelcenter.org to make arrangements.
There is no fee for selling your chametz, but it is customary to make a charitable donation directed to helping those in need. This custom is called Maot Chitin (“wheat coins”). BIC can collect your donations in fulfillment of this mitzvah and send them to Second Harvest Foodbank, or you can make a donation to the food support agency of your choice.
You can also contribute to MOUSY’s annual food drive. Bring non-perishable food items to BIC between March 27 and April 10 (but not on Shabbat), and MOUSY will deliver the collected items to the Goodman Community Center.