Posted on: Saturday, October 27, 2001

Faith
Group taking orders for Passover items

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Staff Writer

Last spring many stores ran short of matzo. To prevent another shortage, orders are being taken for Passover items. Advertiser library photo • April 2001 "Got Matzah?' • What: Kosher items ordered through Temple Emanu-El. • Where: Order forms available through the temple: phone 595-7521; e-mail:gotmatzah@hawaii.rr.com • When: Early orders through Wednesday. Orders placed between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15 will be subject to a 10 percent additional charge. (Credit cards accepted.)

You don't want to be caught with last year's matzo — or, worse yet, caught without.

When Passover time arrived last spring, a full-on matzo shortage occurred. There were reports of empty shelves in the days before the big Seder meal. And on Maui, a member of the Jewish congregation reported the island was completely sold out of the unleavened bread.

So in anticipation of high demand for the Jewish holiday nearly five months away, Temple Emanu-El of Hono-

lulu has launched a new "Got Matzah?" program, taking early orders for the Seder staple, as well as for more than 70 other Passover items.

The temple teamed up with Streits Kosher foods, which will deliver goods to the temple in time for pickup on March 17. Passover begins at sundown March 27.

The cost for ordering the matzo is $4.50 per pound. Wines and kosher items will also be sold in advance.

Discounts are available for orders placed by Wednesday. If the order is received after that, a 10 percent charge will be added.

Order forms are available at Jewish organizations around the Islands. Neighbor Islanders can have their goods shipped directly to them for an extra fee.

"Matzo has to be made and dated for the year in which it's made," said Rabbi Avi Magid of Temple Emanu-El. "In the past, matzo has been offered for sale from the previous year.... You can't use matzo made in (the Hebrew year of) 5761 for 5762."

The Hebrew calendar generally starts in September.

There's also a different formulation for Passover matzo, something that has to do with time that the grain is harvested and amount of time it takes to make it.

The difference is rather arcane, Magid said.

"I don't make up the rules, I can only share them with you," he said.