Big Tent Judaism

Getting Ready for Passover

Spring is here (although the 30 degree weather here in New York begs to differ) and that means the holiday Passover is right around the corner. Among North American Jewish families, Passover is the most widely celebrated holidays on the calendar. According to an article by Sue Fishkoff in the JTA, that means big business for grocery stores across the country.

“This year, there are at least 400 new kosher-for-Passover products on the shelves,” she writes. “From noodles, sauces, dips and salads to gourmet desserts and ready-to-eat meals.”

But for all those who don’t normally shop for kosher foods, or who are newcomers to Passover and Judaism through intermarriage or conversion, how do you let them know these things are available? That’s where JOI comes in. Every year, Jewish communal professionals, lay leaders and volunteers set up tables filled with food and information to create a temporary new space for unaffiliated and unengaged Jews to connect with the community. We call it Passover in the Matzah Aisle^SM.

Over the next two weeks, local Jewish communities across the country will be running this program. Passover is an excellent opportunity for engagement because it’s such a low barrier holiday. “Passover is home based and there’s a lot of flexibility, it allows people to experiment without fear,” said JOI’s Rabbi Kerry Olitzky in the article. “And it’s got those two basic ingredients, food and family.”

This program, part of our Public Space Judaism^SM model, aims to bring Judaism to the public square to create a new channel for Jewish engagement. If you are out doing your grocery shopping and see a table in your supermarket, please stop by and say hello.

Comments

No comments yet.

Leave a comment