updated 4/11/08

The Va'ad hopes this information will help the consumer get
the most out of the Passover holiday. 

In Seattle, we have a rather unique circumstance of being a relatively small size community, while at the same time enjoying a broad range of practices due to a variety of reasons. This provides a richness of experience and can be the source of special unity through recognizing and honoring considerable diversity. The Va’ad is committed to finding positions serving the entire community while honoring and respecting the many different backgrounds and practices.

In the Guide there is a major focus on normative Ashkenazic and Sephardic practice in Seattle. While this represents a major part of the community, there is an entire spectrum of practice based on other traditions which are not emphasized in the Guide (including Chabad). Also, much of the details relating to appropriate Pesach practice depends on particular circumstances, so that even the normative practices as described are limited. For these reasons, it is important that each person consult their Rabbi to answer questions relating to specific circumstances.

Also, as in previous years, the Sephardic Rabbis have chosen to include not only preferred practice, but some more minimally acceptable standards as well. Such terms are not absolute however, and in fact, the minimally acceptable items are determined by the Rabbis’ judgment, which considers communal considerations as well as individual practice. Therefore, if one has a question about a particular item (including items which were on previous years’ Sephardic list), please call your Rabbi.

With Pesach this year beginning on Saturday night, April 19, 2008, some of the logistics of preparing for Pesach are also addressed.

All information is, to the best of our knowledge, correct as of the time of posting. Please monitor Va'ad and synagogue announcements for updates and corrections as they become available.

 Please direct any questions or comments to:

Va'ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle

Phone: (206) 760-0805 Fax: (206) 725-0347

E-mail: vaadinfo@seattlevaad.org

We welcome your comments and wish you and your family a Happy and Kosher Pesach, Moadim LeSimha, Gut Yom Tov.