My Conversion Story Journal

April 21, 2025

What I learned about Pesach and will change for next year.

Now that Pesach is over, I can look back and make a list to plan better for next year. (not that I didn't add to my least each day during). The first thing on my list is to have a list. I need a checklist to be organized. I understand why people start a month before Pesach starts. Spending one shopping trip the store for the entire week of Pesach is not a smart move. Trust me. I know. Things I want to do better next year:

1. I need to make sure I have cooking utensils (pans, pots, silverware, spatula, knife, etc.)
2. enough paper to cover the counters (it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be),
3. a liner for the sink (didn't have that this year),
4. enough painters tape,
5. food planned and cooked beforehand (food adventures will be another entry),
6. enough laundry done for two weeks (no laundry during the 8 days of Pesach)
7. More than two hand towels (see below)
8. All shopping done a week in advance (if possible) or at least most of it
9. Paper towels and Toilet Paper (pre-ripped),
10. Enough eating utensils (disposable plates, cups, silverware,) with spare for guests,
11. Enough time to organize the cupboards, fridge, freezer, pantry
12. Enough time to clean
13. A new alarm system for Pesach

I still think some people take it a bit too far, but I can finally understand the desire to. However, I think a checklist of things I want to get accomplished each day would go far in keeping me organized and not feeling like I am overwhelmed at the last minute.

When people asked me how I was doing with everything (expecting me to freak out like them, I guess?) I told them about wanting to make list. I learned a lot of people lists of recipes that went well or bad each year, things they want to remember from year to year, and things they never want to do again. It's amazing how many notebooks one couple had.

I didn't know about not doing laundry even during the four days between the first two and last two days. I have exactly two hand towels for the bathroom. I change it every Friday morning. I do laundry on Sunday or Monday, so I have one always in the bathroom and one always in the laundry or in the closet. This did not work for Pesach. I changed my hand towel on Friday morning and had one until the next Friday morning. I was not able to do laundry so I had no towel to replace it with on the second Friday. I hope that ripping paper towel is okay during those days, because that is exactly what I had to do. I had no way of having a hand towel. I worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Friday was Good Friday and school was closed). I don't understand why I could work, but not do laundry. The logic behind that escapes me.

This is all the time I have to write today. I still have a lot more to say. I will write more on Pesach all this week.

Thank you G-d for this Pesach, for this season in my life, for my wonderful community and friends, and for everything in my life. I love you.