Preparing for Pesah
Every year, Pesah preparation begins long before the holiday itself. The rules are many and the kashering process intricate. Let your family at Beth El help you remember how to get ready for Pesah with our easy-to-follow information guide. It is also our goal to try to save you a little bit of money this year with some useful tips.
Believe it or not, not every item needs a special Passover Kosher Symbol!
In fact, the OU (Orthodox Union) certifies many items for year-round use that are also Kosher for Passover even without special Passover certification or symbols. As long as it’s on this list and has an OU, it’s good to go for Passover. NOTE: If you’ve used it before Passover, then you need a new one—but you don’t have to spend extra cash on the Kosher for Passover item!
View this guide to check specific items that need no special Kosher for Passover certification.
Additionally, if purchased before but not during Passover, the following do not need special Passover certification (Should have a year round kosher symbol):
- Natural Coffee without Cereal Additives
- Non-Confectioner’s Sugar
- Pure Tea – not flavored, herbal or decaf
- Salt with no iodine
- Milk – Plain Whole/Low-Fat/Skim (fresh – not long shelf-life)
- Lactaid Milk
- Frozen Fruit – Plain, frozen, unsweetened fruit pieces
- Quinoa – provided that it is checked before Passover and any foreign substance removed since it may be processed on equipment used for grain.
- Tropicana 100% Orange Juice
- Filleted Fish
- Pure White Sugar – with no additives
- Olive Oil – Extra Virgin Only
If purchased before or during Passover, the following do not need special Passover certification:
- Fresh Fruits and Fresh Vegetables (not coated)
- Eggs
- Fresh kosher fish (from a kosher source)
- Fresh kosher Meat (from a kosher source)
- Frozen, Raw hekshered meat, other than chopped/ground products
- Whole, unground spices and nuts (Passover permitted), including whole or half pecans (not pieces)
- Pure black, green or white tea leaves or teabags
- Nestea regular and decaffeinated unflavored tea
- Coffee (unflavored regular)
- Baking Soda
- Bicarbonate of Soda
The following foods do need special Kosher for Passover certification if purchased before or during Passover
- All baked products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products containing matzah)
- Canned or Bottled fruit juices
- Canned tuna
- Honey
- Wine
- Vinegar
- Liquor
- Oils
- Dried fruits
- Frozen Vegetables
- Candy
- Chocolate flavored milk
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Soda
- Decaf Coffee
- Herbal teas
- Decaf tea
- Cheeses
- Butter
Learn more about permitted foods, kashering specific utensils/dishes/appliances, and more by reading the Rabbinical Assembly’s 2012 Passover Guide.
Infant Formula and Supplements
Have babies in your home? Please see our guide about formulas and supplements.
Medications
Have specific questions about medications? Please see our guide about medications.
Additional Resources
For Additional information about Passover at Beth El visit:
» Beth El’s Passover Holiday page
For further information about Passover, the holiday and its history, as well as additional Kosher information, please visit:
» The Orthodox Union’s Kosher for Passover Resources
» The Chicago Rabbinical Council’s Kosher for Passover Resources
» My Jewish Learning – Passover History
» The Jewish Outreach Institute’s Passover Resources
Support our Jewish Troops Over Passover
Jewish personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces today are facing a wave of anti-Semitism that increases their sense of vulnerability and isolation. With your help, the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council can send our chaplains supplies that our Jewish troops need to observe the Jewish holidays and stay in touch with loved ones at home. Your contributions help us to fulfill our sacred pledge: “those who serve must not be forsaken”. To donate, please send a check made to JWB Jewish Chaplains Council to JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, 520 Eighth Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or donate online now.
