Here's How NYC Is Celebrating Passover This Year

NEW YORK CITY — Prepare the brisket and matzoh ball soup, skip the unleavened bread and don't forget to be careful against the coronavirus.

New York City is about to celebrate its second Passover in the shadow of COVID-19.

The Jewish holiday, which marks the Hebrews' deliverance from slavery and return to Israel, begins at sundown Saturday and runs until nightfall April 4.

Celebrations this year likely will involve more in-person get-togethers than in 2020, when the city just started lockdowns and mass social distancing. Many New Yorkers, especially the elderly, have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and the city is gradually returning to normal.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday said this city's last Passover celebration under coronavirus restrictions. But he still urged caution.

"Remember everyone to do it safely,” he said.

Here's a sampling list of ways to safely mark the days God passed over the Israelites.

Zoom Passover events

Aren't quite ready to visit a synagogue or visit family? There's plenty of options over Zoom.

The 92nd Street Y is hosting a Seder on Zoom starting Sunday at 7 p.m. The program is free but participants need to register ahead of time.

The event is coupled with a food drive conducted with City Harvest for Jewish New Yorkers who struggle to put food on their tables.

"Please make your donations here," the 92Y's website states. "At the end of the Drive, all the donations will be delivered to City Harvest."

Central Synagogue in New York City has a family Seder led by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal and Jeremy Sipe set for Saturday night on Zoom. The Seder will last for about an hour and include readings from the Haggadah, the Jewish text traditionally ready at a Seder, before families log off and continue the celebration at home.

Where to get Seder food

This guide will be admittedly incomplete — New York City simply has too many options to list. But here's a small sampling.

Russ & Daughters

179 E. Houston St., Lower East Side/127 Orchard St., Lower East Side

The Lower East Side's iconic shops offer a Passover menu with chopped liver, gefilte fish and more for Manhattan pickup and delivery. It might be best to order early:

"For all locations, please consider ordering in advance," the Russ & Daughters website states. "Sometimes we reach maximum capacity and cannot take any more orders for the most popular days and times."

Katz's Delicatessen

205 E. Houston St., Lower East Side

This legendary deli is just down the street from Russ & Daughters. Its Passover menu is available for both pickup and delivery, making it easy to stock up on pastrami, brisket and kugel.

The Ribbon

20 W. 72nd Street, Upper West Side/220 W. 44th Street, Midtown

This eatery is offering a $34.99 per person Passover dinner with matzo ball soup, brisket or rotisserie chicken, potato latkes, plus a "make your own Seder plate," for delivery and pickup.