CHAPEL HILL -- Chapel Hill Kehillah Synagogue has worked with national vendors to bring reasonably priced Passover items to the Triangle while helping needy families and raising money for their religious school as part of its second annual "Passover Ko-oP."
This year Passover begins at sundown on March 29.
For a Ko-oP joining fee of 18 percent of the order (up to $36), community members can select Kosher for Passover items (most are below retail price) from a catalog featuring a variety of candies, desserts, matzahs, teas, cake mixes, jams, gefilte fish, and wine.
Included on the order form is an option to donate a basket of Passover food or a monetary amount to a needy Jewish family through Jewish Family Services of Durham-Chapel Hill or Jewish Family Services of Raleigh-Cary. Every year, both organizations distribute Passover baskets to local families so that everyone will be able to celebrate the holiday.
What makes Passover food different from all other foods?
The story of the Passover celebrates the biblical Exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Because the Jews had little time to prepare for their Exodus, their bread had no time to rise, resulting in a flat, cracker-like food called matzah. To commemorate the eight-day festival of Passover, Jews eat matzah and avoid leavened foods, grains, and other foods that have historically been used to make bread products.
These temporary dietary restrictions leave Triangle Jews searching for special foods for the eight-day holiday.
To join the Ko-oP and place an order, visit www.chkehillah.org or contact Stephanie Stuchiner, admin@chkehillah.org or (919) 942-8914.
