Chametz, any food that has been fermented with yeast and allowed to rise, is forbidden during Passover. Unleavened bread symbolises the Israelites’ urgency when they fled Egypt, taking their dough with them before adding yeast, so nobody was left behind waiting for their bread to rise. On the morning before Passover in Brooklyn, the burning of Chametz takes place on street corners in Orthodox enclaves such as Borough Park and Crown Heights. Supervised by the New York Fire Department, families gather to cast leftover bread, pasta and pastries into the fire, cleansing their homes in preparation for Pesach.

Seders are family feasts traditionally served on the first night of Passover where readings from the Haggadah, a book containing songs, prayers and stories, take place across the evening. Keeping in line with Jewish law, four cups of wine are drunk at different intervals, along with vegetables dipped in salt water, flatbreads called matzah and bitter herbs which represent the harshness of the slavery the Israelites endured. 

Many synagogues and charities host seders, including Dirah’s Community Passover Seder, which is open to all ages and backgrounds and offers Haggadahs in English, Hebrew and Russian. Alternatively, The Park Slope Jewish Centre provides excellent resources about Passover and pairs people up with other families hosting seders if they cannot find one to attend. 

Passover in Brooklyn is also marked by an outpouring of community support. Charities such as the Shorefront Jewish Community Council distribute thousands of kosher-for-Passover food packages to families in need. These bundles include essentials such as matzah, grape juice and gefilte fish, ensuring no household is left without the means to celebrate the festival.

If you are not taking part in the Passover festivities, but would like to support New York’s Jewish communities, then we recommend sampling a bagel from the legendary Jewish deli Katz, or a matzo ball soup from Russ & Daughters. Book a stay at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge for its stunning views of the city and eco-friendly designs by local artists. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, you will be near local Passover celebrations, seders and Chametz burnings.

Of course, you can discover a range of the world's best hotels in New York and beyond, on ASMALLWORLD Collection.