Passaic, N.J. – On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, Mayor Hector C. Lora, Assemblyman and Council President Gary S. Schaer, Councilman Chaim M. Munk, Councilman Daniel J. Schwartz, and the Passaic City Council, hosted a community-wide Burning of the Chametz event at Broadway and Glenside Avenue. The event, held from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, was aimed to remove chametz, or any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt, from the homes and lives of community members before the start of Passover. This annual Jewish tradition involved the safe and controlled burning of chametz items with the guidance of Chief Patrick Trentacost and the Passaic Fire Department.
“As Mayor, I’m always so proud to share that our city is supportive of all of our diverse communities. Our amazing and wonderful community that observe Passover are continuing a practice that has existed for thousands of years. The burning of the Chametz is so special because it is an expression of faithfulness and obedience to the commandments of Hashem. Passaic is assisting with residents from other communities as well. People are coming from all over to participate in this.” Said Mayor Lora. “To all of the children, families, rabbis, and leaders, we wish you a very happy Passover.”
“Today we are seeing hundreds, if not thousands of members from the Jewish community coming to burn ‘Chametz’ or bread. It is the final act of ridding ourselves of bread products. Why do we do this? The Passover celebrates God’s redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt eventually going on to Israel. It was so quick for us to have to leave Egypt because the Egyptian Pharaoh at the time would not allow that to happen and the Jews had to forcibly leave Egypt. They did not have time to bake bread so instead they made something, which did not have to rise.” Said Assemblyman and Council President Schaer. “Everyone here has come with their basket, their bags full of Chametz products, to get rid of them both literally as well as figuratively. We look forward to doing this year after year.”
All media inquiries should be directed to Lillian Yang at lyang@cityofpasssaicnj.gov