Passover 2020 begins at sundown April 8, in the middle of a modern-day plague: COVID-19, which has confined millions of people to their homes. The disease’s high rate of infection and fatality (especially for older people) has caused governments around the world to impose social distancing and stay-at-home orders, including most states in the US.
This will spark a major change in the way American Jews conduct their Passover seders this year.
New ways to creatively celebrate Passover during isolating
What to buy and cook for Passover 2020
“Obviously, I’m not doing a whole brisket this year for just the two people,” Schwartz said. “I think we’re all making do with just chicken this year.”
Many of the traditional recipes will reduce just fine for a smaller family meal. And this year’s Passover under quarantine could be an opportunity to try out some new dishes.
While much of the Jewish community is embracing technology to facilitate socially distanced seders, there has been no such accommodation to the challenges of grocery shopping during the pandemic. Grocery store shortages may impact your menu choices.
If shopping is an issue, consider searching for a local restaurant or delicatessen that is offering Passover dishes or entire meals to go. This would be a mitzvah (good deed) in a year when restaurants are struggling to stay in business.
During Passover, Jewish people refrain from consuming chametz — which the Union for Reform Judiasm describes as “food containing any amount of wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt, that has leavened, or ‘puffed up.’”
Just follow the advice of Rabbi Dan Ain of San Francisco. “Use common sense,” he told the Jewish News of Northern California. “Don’t eat bread. Just don’t eat bread. All of this other narishkeit, all the way down to the most minute thing — you don’t need a $30 bag of cookies certified kosher for Passover by the OU [(Orthodox Union)]. Just avoid leavened food and reconnect with the ikar [essence] of what the holiday is all about.”
