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New York Today: A Lesson on the Matzo Ladder New York Today: A Lesson on the Matzo Ladder
(about 9 hours later)
Updated, 1:35 p.m.
Boker Tov leKulam. (Good morning everyone.)Boker Tov leKulam. (Good morning everyone.)
Passover begins tonight, and if you’re picking up supplies for your Seder, we thought you should know: There is such a thing as matzo hierarchy.Passover begins tonight, and if you’re picking up supplies for your Seder, we thought you should know: There is such a thing as matzo hierarchy.
“The top is handmade shmurah matzo, then there is machine-made shmurah matzo, and after that is regular machine-made matzo,” according to Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for Chabad-Lubavitch.“The top is handmade shmurah matzo, then there is machine-made shmurah matzo, and after that is regular machine-made matzo,” according to Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for Chabad-Lubavitch.
(There’s room for debate; ask tonight’s Seder guests their matzo preferences or the best way to eat it, and you’ll be there until Easter Sunday.)(There’s room for debate; ask tonight’s Seder guests their matzo preferences or the best way to eat it, and you’ll be there until Easter Sunday.)
Passover commemorates Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt, and matzo represents a sliver of that Exodus — the Jews fled so quickly, the Torah tells us, that there was no time for their bread to rise. For that reason, observers refrain from eating bread (and other leavened goods, chametz) during the holiday.Passover commemorates Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt, and matzo represents a sliver of that Exodus — the Jews fled so quickly, the Torah tells us, that there was no time for their bread to rise. For that reason, observers refrain from eating bread (and other leavened goods, chametz) during the holiday.
Hence, matzo.Hence, matzo.
But what separates shmurah — which the rabbi called “the Bentley of matzo” — from other popular options, like Streit’s, the purveyor that not long ago closed its longstanding flagship on the Lower East Side, is that shmurah matzo is rabbinically supervised at every step, from farmer to field to factory.But what separates shmurah — which the rabbi called “the Bentley of matzo” — from other popular options, like Streit’s, the purveyor that not long ago closed its longstanding flagship on the Lower East Side, is that shmurah matzo is rabbinically supervised at every step, from farmer to field to factory.
(Shmurah means “watched” or “guarded.” To uphold Passover traditions and kosher law, rabbis will inspect the produce, ensuring that the matured wheat has not come in contact with water and that no natural fermentation has occurred.)(Shmurah means “watched” or “guarded.” To uphold Passover traditions and kosher law, rabbis will inspect the produce, ensuring that the matured wheat has not come in contact with water and that no natural fermentation has occurred.)
At a time when people care increasingly about how their food is sourced — Is it “natural”? Is it organic? Is it fraudulent? — this closely scrutinized class of matzo is seeing a resurgence in New York, Rabbi Seligson said.At a time when people care increasingly about how their food is sourced — Is it “natural”? Is it organic? Is it fraudulent? — this closely scrutinized class of matzo is seeing a resurgence in New York, Rabbi Seligson said.
It first became popular in New York in the 1950s, he explained, when the rebbe of the Lubavitcher group of Hasidic Jews, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, whose following was rooted in Crown Heights, launched a campaign encouraging residents, congregations and bakeries — in Brooklyn and around the world — to offer shmurah matzo.It first became popular in New York in the 1950s, he explained, when the rebbe of the Lubavitcher group of Hasidic Jews, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, whose following was rooted in Crown Heights, launched a campaign encouraging residents, congregations and bakeries — in Brooklyn and around the world — to offer shmurah matzo.
Decades later, the tradition long cherished by Orthodox communities is gaining traction with less religious, more secular groups, Rabbi Seligson said. Case in point: The Obama Seder, the first presidential Seder, reportedly had shmurah matzo.Decades later, the tradition long cherished by Orthodox communities is gaining traction with less religious, more secular groups, Rabbi Seligson said. Case in point: The Obama Seder, the first presidential Seder, reportedly had shmurah matzo.
Here’s what else is happening:Here’s what else is happening:
Where Friday is lacking, the weekend weather will pick up the slack.Where Friday is lacking, the weekend weather will pick up the slack.
We may have rain today, but we’ll have a sunny Seder on Saturday and a clear Easter on Sunday.We may have rain today, but we’ll have a sunny Seder on Saturday and a clear Easter on Sunday.
Temperatures should stay in the 50s, so get ready to swap in that leather jacket you’ve been itching to show off.Temperatures should stay in the 50s, so get ready to swap in that leather jacket you’ve been itching to show off.
• Joseph P. Ganim went from being the mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., to a convict in prison, then back to mayor. Now, he’s aiming for the governor’s office. [New York Times]• Joseph P. Ganim went from being the mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., to a convict in prison, then back to mayor. Now, he’s aiming for the governor’s office. [New York Times]
• A federal judge allowed a lawsuit to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to continue, citing President Trump’s “overtly bigoted statements.” [New York Times]• A federal judge allowed a lawsuit to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to continue, citing President Trump’s “overtly bigoted statements.” [New York Times]
• Scott Stringer, the city comptroller, is making a rumble in the 2021 mayoral election through two big endorsements. [New York Times]• Scott Stringer, the city comptroller, is making a rumble in the 2021 mayoral election through two big endorsements. [New York Times]
• How can Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo open the door for more donations? By rewriting the disclaimer language on his website that describes who can donate. [New York Times]• How can Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo open the door for more donations? By rewriting the disclaimer language on his website that describes who can donate. [New York Times]
• Word spread that the restaurant El Quijote, long regarded as a hidden gem, will be closing its doors for renovations. Crowds gathered for their last meal. [New York Times]• Word spread that the restaurant El Quijote, long regarded as a hidden gem, will be closing its doors for renovations. Crowds gathered for their last meal. [New York Times]
• The city’s commissioner of child welfare is trying to improve operations, and, in turn, repair the image of the troubled agency. [New York Times]• The city’s commissioner of child welfare is trying to improve operations, and, in turn, repair the image of the troubled agency. [New York Times]
• A psychiatrist that testified at the trial of the nanny who killed two children in her care believes that the nanny was unaware of the brutal action she was committing. [New York Times]• A psychiatrist that testified at the trial of the nanny who killed two children in her care believes that the nanny was unaware of the brutal action she was committing. [New York Times]
• Rusty Staub, one of the most durable hitters of his time and a former Met, died at 73. [New York Times]• Rusty Staub, one of the most durable hitters of his time and a former Met, died at 73. [New York Times]
• If you want to feel like a spy, there is an espionage museum in Manhattan that could give you the experience. [New York Times]• If you want to feel like a spy, there is an espionage museum in Manhattan that could give you the experience. [New York Times]
• An attorney in Queens is being charged with asylum fraud and making false statements on applications for clients. [Sunnyside Post]• An attorney in Queens is being charged with asylum fraud and making false statements on applications for clients. [Sunnyside Post]
• The state’s Department of Transportation wants to develop a highway ramp between Hunts Point and the Bronx River. Residents of the South Bronx neighborhood are calling for the governor to step in. [Streetsblog NYC]• The state’s Department of Transportation wants to develop a highway ramp between Hunts Point and the Bronx River. Residents of the South Bronx neighborhood are calling for the governor to step in. [Streetsblog NYC]
• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Out of the Storm.”• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Out of the Storm.”
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.
• School’s out! Nature Week, eight days of family-friendly activities exploring the environment and life sciences, begins at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Times vary. [$11]• School’s out! Nature Week, eight days of family-friendly activities exploring the environment and life sciences, begins at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Times vary. [$11]
• The New York International Auto Show continues at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, through April 8. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. [Ticket prices vary]
• Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate hosts an Easter egg hunt — for eggs filled with chocolate prizes — in and around Manhattan’s Bryant Park. Noon, through Saturday. [Free]• Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate hosts an Easter egg hunt — for eggs filled with chocolate prizes — in and around Manhattan’s Bryant Park. Noon, through Saturday. [Free]
• “On Black Performance: When There Is No Other Ontology than the Stage, Staging and Being Staged,” a discussion on performance art, at the School of Visual Arts in Chelsea. 7 p.m. [Free]• “On Black Performance: When There Is No Other Ontology than the Stage, Staging and Being Staged,” a discussion on performance art, at the School of Visual Arts in Chelsea. 7 p.m. [Free]
• “Melania: The Music, The Mem’ries, The Magic,” a singalong comedy show about the first lady, at the Peoples Improv Theater in Flatiron. 9 p.m. [$10]• “Melania: The Music, The Mem’ries, The Magic,” a singalong comedy show about the first lady, at the Peoples Improv Theater in Flatiron. 9 p.m. [$10]
• Islanders host Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Rangers host Lightning, 7 p.m. (MSG). Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m.• Islanders host Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Rangers host Lightning, 7 p.m. (MSG). Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m.
• Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof and other guests. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on CUNY-TV.• Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof and other guests. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on CUNY-TV.
• Alternate-side parking is suspended.• Alternate-side parking is suspended.
• Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings.• Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings.
SaturdaySaturday
• Easter egg hunts on Staten Island and in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Times and prices vary.• Easter egg hunts on Staten Island and in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Times and prices vary.
• A papermaking workshop, using confetti gathered from the Lunar New Year firecracker ceremonies, at the Museum of Chinese in America in Chinatown. 1 p.m. [$12; sign up here]• A papermaking workshop, using confetti gathered from the Lunar New Year firecracker ceremonies, at the Museum of Chinese in America in Chinatown. 1 p.m. [$12; sign up here]
• The Metropolitan Opera’s production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte,” set in 1950s Coney Island, continues at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. 1 p.m. [Tickets start at $130]• The Metropolitan Opera’s production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte,” set in 1950s Coney Island, continues at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. 1 p.m. [Tickets start at $130]
• “Harbortown,” an evening of songs about Staten Island by the musician Bob Wright and others, at Guyon Tavern in Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island. 6 and 8 p.m. [$16]• “Harbortown,” an evening of songs about Staten Island by the musician Bob Wright and others, at Guyon Tavern in Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island. 6 and 8 p.m. [$16]
• New York Red Bulls at Orlando City S.C., 1 p.m. (MLS LIVE). Mets host Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. Yankees at Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m. Knicks host Pistons, 5 p.m. (MSG). Islanders vs. Devils, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (MSG 2). Nets at Heat, 8 p.m. (YES). New York City F.C. at San Jose Earthquakes, 8 p.m. (ESPN2).• New York Red Bulls at Orlando City S.C., 1 p.m. (MLS LIVE). Mets host Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. Yankees at Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m. Knicks host Pistons, 5 p.m. (MSG). Islanders vs. Devils, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (MSG 2). Nets at Heat, 8 p.m. (YES). New York City F.C. at San Jose Earthquakes, 8 p.m. (ESPN2).
SundaySunday
• Smorgasburg, the open-air food market, returns for the season to Breeze Hill in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.• Smorgasburg, the open-air food market, returns for the season to Breeze Hill in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Watch some “Magic at Coney” at the Coney Island Museum in Brooklyn. Noon. [Tickets start at $5]• Watch some “Magic at Coney” at the Coney Island Museum in Brooklyn. Noon. [Tickets start at $5]
• On Easter, “a propitious date for resurrection,” the Morbid Anatomy Library unveils its new home, the 1877 Fort Hamilton Gate House, at an open house in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. Noon to 5 p.m. [Free]• On Easter, “a propitious date for resurrection,” the Morbid Anatomy Library unveils its new home, the 1877 Fort Hamilton Gate House, at an open house in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. Noon to 5 p.m. [Free]
• The annual Orchid Show continues with “Fantastically Fragrant Orchids,” a demonstration on orchid care, at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Times vary. [$25]• The annual Orchid Show continues with “Fantastically Fragrant Orchids,” a demonstration on orchid care, at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Times vary. [$25]
• Yankees at Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m. Mets host Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. Nets host Pistons, 6 p.m. (YES). Devils at Canadiens, 7 p.m. (MSG+).• Yankees at Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m. Mets host Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. Nets host Pistons, 6 p.m. (YES). Devils at Canadiens, 7 p.m. (MSG+).
• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
It’s a gray Friday, but it’s a Good Friday.It’s a gray Friday, but it’s a Good Friday.
The annual Way of the Cross procession, a tradition in our city since 1996, will cross from Brooklyn to Manhattan this morning, making stops at several prominent sites for readings and performances.The annual Way of the Cross procession, a tradition in our city since 1996, will cross from Brooklyn to Manhattan this morning, making stops at several prominent sites for readings and performances.
It begins at Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn at 10 a.m., continuing to the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall Park and Zuccotti Park before reaching its final destination, at St. Peter’s Church in Lower Manhattan, three hours later.It begins at Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn at 10 a.m., continuing to the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall Park and Zuccotti Park before reaching its final destination, at St. Peter’s Church in Lower Manhattan, three hours later.
The walk drew nearly 3,000 participants last year; those joining today will be accompanied by John Bartlett, a retired firefighter from Staten Island who will be carrying the cross; the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn; the archbishop of New York; and other religious leaders.The walk drew nearly 3,000 participants last year; those joining today will be accompanied by John Bartlett, a retired firefighter from Staten Island who will be carrying the cross; the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn; the archbishop of New York; and other religious leaders.
(Reading from outside New York? There will be similar processions in more than a dozen cities nationwide today.)(Reading from outside New York? There will be similar processions in more than a dozen cities nationwide today.)
New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.
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Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.
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