A Passover Message from Rabbi Posen
From Narrowness to Expanse, From Darkness to Light
Passover, or Pesach, is more than a historical remembrance of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt—it is a spiritual journey from constraint to freedom, from darkness to light. The Hebrew name for Egypt, Mitzrayim, shares a root with the word tzar, meaning narrow or constricted. Our ancestors did not just escape a geographical location; they emerged from a place of deep limitation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—into a wide-open expanse of possibility.
The Exodus narrative is one of transformation. The Israelites begin as slaves, oppressed under Pharaoh’s rule, burdened with backbreaking labor. Their world is small, defined by fear, pain, and the inability to imagine anything different. This narrow place is not just a physical reality but a metaphor for any situation where we feel stuck—whether in unhealthy relationships, harmful habits, or limiting beliefs.
And yet, the story does not end in Mitzrayim. With the signs and wonders of the plagues, the miraculous splitting of the sea, and the first hesitant steps into the wilderness, the Israelites move from confinement into the vast openness of the desert. There, in the expansive unknown, they begin to define themselves as a free people, capable of receiving Torah and forging a covenant with God. Freedom, it turns out, is not just about leaving something behind; it is about stepping into something new.
Passover is also a holiday of light. The Israelites’ journey begins in the deep darkness of oppression—both literal and metaphorical. The ninth plague, the plague of darkness, represents the culmination of despair, a time when even hope seems extinguished. But then comes redemption, symbolized by fire and illumination—the flames of the burning bush, the pillar of fire guiding them by night, and ultimately, the light of dawn as they cross the sea to freedom.
Each year, as we gather around the Seder table, we relive this journey. The matzah reminds us of both affliction and liberation. The bitter herbs bring us back to suffering, while the four cups of wine celebrate joy. Passover invites us to ask: Where are we experiencing narrowness in our own lives? How do we move toward expansiveness? What darkness do we carry, and where can we find light?
As we begin this festival, may we embrace the promise of Passover—not just as a commemoration of the past, but as a personal and communal call to transformation, hope, and freedom.
Shtar Harsha’ah: Document of Authorization for the Sale of Hametz – Due by Friday, April 11th by 10 am.
Note: This year because of Shabbat, we sell hametz on Friday.
CNS’s 2nd Night Community Passover Seder
Sunday, April 13, 5:00pm, Birnbach Hall
Registration is now closed. Please call the office to inquire about space or to be put on a waitlist: (503) 246-8831.
Gather round the table with Rabbi David Kosak and your Neveh Shalom kehillah for a 2nd night seder. We’ll enjoy reading from the haggadah while having opportunities to engage beyond the text with meaningful interactive activities and discussions. While this is a family-friendly event, we encourage you to bring quiet activities so your children are happy and engaged.
Price for CNS Members:
$54/adult (13+) | $40/Child (ages 3-12) | 2 and under free
Scholarships are available.
Price for Non-Members:
$60/adult (13+) | $45/Child (ages 3-12) | 2 and under free
Passover “Siyyum”
Thursday, April 10, Time: 7:00am as part of Morning Minyan
Zidell Chapel
On the morning of the Pesach seder, firstborn children are required to fast in commemoration of the firstborn Egyptians who lost their lives during the tenth plague. Our fasting beautifully demonstrates our compassion even for our enemies. That said, we have another tradition to mark when we complete a book of Jewish learning with a celebratory meal. This “siyyum” overrides the fast for those who attend the study session.
Rabbi David Kosak will be leading this year’s Siyyum.
While in-person is preferred for this study session, those who need can join in on Zoom by clicking here.
Passover Services
Candle lighting:
4/12: 8:40pm | 4/13: 8:41pm | 4/14: 8:43pm (Havdallah) | 4/18: 7:43pm | 4/19: 8:50pm | 4/20: 8:51pm (Havdallah)
- Pesach Day 1 Service – Sunday, April 13, 9:30am – Stampfer Chapel/Livestream
- *Pesach Day 2 Service – Monday, April 14, 9:30am – Stampfer Chapel/Livestream
- Morning Minyan Chol HaMoed Pesach – Tuesday-Friday, April 15-18, 7:00am – Zidell Chapel/Zoom
- Pesach Day 7 Service – Saturday, April 19, 9:30am, Stampfer Chapel/Livestream
- Pesach Day 8 Service & Yizkor – Sunday, April 20, 9:30am, Stampfer Chapel/Livestream
PDX Young Adult Seder
Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm
Hosted at Congregation Beth Israel
Raise a glass (or four) at Portland’s Young Adult Seder. This musical, interactive Seder experience, led by Congregation Benth Israel’s Cantor Rayna Green, is a great way to connect with Jews in their 20s and 30s across the Portland area while enjoying a light Passover meal. You don’t need any prior experience or knowledge of Passover to attend, this will be accessible for all!
$18/person, age 21 and over. This is a child-free gathering.
Register at https://bethisraelpdx.shulcloud.com/form/youngseder
Please email chelsea@bethisrael-pdx.org with any questions!
Cosponsored by: Jewish Federation of Portland, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland Jewish Connection, Moishe House Pod
Mimouna Celebration: A Post-Passover Moroccan Tradition
Monday, April 21, 6:00-8:00pm
People of all ages and walks of life are encouraged to join us for our festive Mimouna – a unique and joyous celebration of the conclusion of Pesach with festive crafts, Moroccan desserts, music, dance, and henna. As it is said customarily said at Mimouna: “Tirbaḥu vetis’adu” – we wish you success and luck!
Cost: $8/per person ages 2+
Co-sponsored by Keruv Levavot, OJCF, and Hillel
Tikkun Olam: Neighborhood House wants your chametz!
Food collection for Neighborhood House SW Hope Campaign
Mar 1 – Apr 30 | Drop off in admin. lobby
We are proud to once again partner with Neighborhood House in their SW Hope Campaign. For a list of most needed items, please click here.
To learn more about SW Hope, please click here.
*Only bring chametz items to the synagogue prior to the start of Passover. We do not encourage our congregants to handle chametz during the holiday.
Drop off items in the bin in the Admin. lobby or bring them to any CNS Pesach event now through May 1.
Preferred items: White rice, Dried pinto beans, Canned beans (all types), Cooking oil (all types), Bread (all types), Pasta (all types), Canned fruits and veggies, and Jams and Jellies
*Only bring chametz items to the synagogue prior to the start of Passover. We do not encourage our congregants to handle chametz during the holiday.
New thing to explore for Passover!
The Feldstein Library has a large collection of haggadot and Passover cookbooks for all kinds of tastes. Below is just a sample. Come and check one out!
Cookbooks:
- Passover Lite: Kosher Cookbook by Gail Ashkanazi-Hankin features almost 200 recipes that are delicious, Passover-observant, healthy, and easy to make.
- In Passover by Design by Susie Fishbein, you can find elegant and imaginative Passover recipes, as well as ideas for setting a fun and beautiful seder table. Over 130 of the recipes are also gluten-free.
- Perfect for Pesach by Naomi Nachman, presents easy recipes that use innovative flavor combinations to create fabulous gourmet dishes that you’ll want to cook all year.
- Zell Schulman’s Let my People Eat! offers a guide for those who may be less familiar with preparing for Pesach and running a seder. Besides yummy recipes, her book includes “lists, explanations, and sources for everything from ceremonial objects to stocking your Passover pantry.”
Haggadot: With over 80 unique haggadot, there’s bound to be one at the Feldstein that will enhance your seder.
- The Promise of the Land : a Passover Haggadah by Rabbi Ellen Bernstein ; artwork by Galia Goodman.
- Haggadah Min HaMeitzar : A Seder Journey to Liberation: A Traditional and Radical Haggadah in Four Voices by Gabriella Spitzer
- Let my people go! : a brick Haggadah companion by Tzachi Rosman
- Pictures Tell : A Passover Haggadah by Zion Ozeri
- The Sephardic Family Haggadah by Rabbi Yamin Levy
- The ESeder : A Contemporary Haggadah by Deborah Gross-Zuchman
- Haggadah Shel Pesach : Trilingual: Hebrew, English, Persian, According to the custom of the Sephardim and Edot HaMizrach by Avraham Shilian and Miryam Shilian
- The Sweet Taste of Freedom: The Chocolate Seder Haggadah by Ben Vorspan
- The Heroes Haggadah: Lead the Way to Freedom by Kerry Olitzky and Deborah Bodin Cohen
- The Rock ‘N’ Roll Haggadah: Your Guide to a Seder That Rocks! by Meredith Ochs and Kay Miller
