Countdown to Pesach

Those who celebrate Passover know how much effort it takes to prepare a home and domestic kitchen for family festivities, so spare a thought for our Spiritual, Catering and Hotel Services teams who start planning five months ahead. Here’s a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes to ensure a memorable Pesach for residents and families .

5 MONTHS OUT
Spiritual & Cultural, Catering and Hotel Services teams plan out the schedule of pre-Passover cleaning, food inventory, Seder menu and activities.
3 MONTHS OUT
The Spiritual & Cultural team and Rabbi David Rogut OAM consult with the Catering Department on planning the traditional Seder menu.
5 WEEKS OUT
Invitations to Seder sent to residents and families (this year using online bookings for the first time). Each Pesach, Montefiore hosts 1800 dinners across both Seder nights at all sites.
4 WEEKS OUT
Dedicated store room prepared for deliveries, and Kosher for Passover dry goods ordered in consultation with Catering Department and Rabbi Rogut OAM.
3 WEEKS OUT
Chefs from all campuses meet at Randwick for a ‘cook-off’ of the Seder menu, to work through logistics and methods. This is followed by a tasting with the Catering Manager and Spiritual & Cultural team. Highlights include a salmon platter, beef brisket and almond berry tart.
2 WEEKS OUT
A strip tank is installed for koshering of all cooking pans and equipment, a process that continues until Pesach. Lounges, dining rooms and cafes are thoroughly
spring cleaned of all chametz.
4 DAYS OUT
The cleaning of milk and meat kitchens begins for each of the dining rooms and cafes. After dinner on Wednesday, all the crockery and cutlery change over to Passover sets.
1 DAY OUT
All kitchens, dining areas and food served are now Kosher for Passover. Seder food preparation begins.
SEDER NIGHTS
Tables are rearranged and set for Seder in this year’s colour scheme. Ten Sederim are held across Randwick, Hunters Hill and Woollahra dining rooms each night,
with services led by the Rabbi, regular faces including Benny Kaplinski and Zelwyn Orbach, as well as family members. Kitchen and dining staff are all hands on deck as well as nursing, Leisure & Lifestyle and Spiritual departments to ensure everyone has a wonderful experience.
DURING PESACH
Rabbi Rogut OAM has now spent 15 Passovers as Spiritual Dean, and oversees Yom Tov synagogue services at Randwick and Hunters Hill. Over the rest of the holiday, families are invited to join residents for Pesach Teas with food and entertainment.