JCRC-NY Hosts Elected Officials and Interfaith Leaders for Tour of the Boro Park SEDER Matzah Bakery

BROOKLYN, NY (04/01/2025) (readMedia)-- On Monday, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) hosted a tour of the Boro Park SEDER Matzah Bakery in Brooklyn with New York elected officials, law enforcement leadership, and interfaith leaders to learn about the fascinating process of how matzah is made. Afterwards, participants sampled various traditional Passover foods and enjoyed a delicious meal provided by the Southern Brooklyn Shomrim. The event provided an opportunity for the elected officials representing different constituencies and community leaders across the city to learn about the traditions and significance of Passover and how matzah symbolizes the Jewish peoples' journey from slavery in ancient Egypt to freedom.

The visit brought JCRC-NY leadership together with Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Councilmember Susan Zhuang, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, Deputy Chief of Community Affairs for the NYPD Richie Taylor, Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York State Executive Chamber Esther Debbie Louis, Community Advocate Joey Cohen-Saban, AD 48 District Leader Pinny Ringel, Pastor Louis Straker, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Acting Executive Director of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council (The GodSquad), Pastor Rashidi Denson, Senior Pastor of Feed the Fire Global Ministries, Reverend Phillip Falayi, Community Engagement Manager for Faith-Based Initiatives at Healthfirst, and Sefardic Community Federation President Sam Sutton.

During the tour, participants were guided through the intricate process of matzah-making, from the mixing of the dough to the careful monitoring of baking times to ensure the matzah – the unleavened bread Jews ate during their hasty departure from Egypt – did not rise.

Following the tour, attendees took part in a celebratory meal, where, in addition to trying more matzah, they sampled:

• Charoset – a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices that symbolize the mortar used by the Jewish people to build huge structures for the Egyptians during their enslavement;
• Gefilte fish – a fish dish served as an appetizer at many Jewish holidays, including Passover;
• Maror – bitter herbs and horseradish that commemorate the bitterness of slavery; and
• Macaroons – coconut cookies popular on Passover.

"I'm so thrilled to have shared this tour of Boro Park SEDER Matzah with elected officials, police officers, and interfaith leaders who consistently show up for New York's Jewish communities," said JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger. "Our Passover story is one that can resonate with every New Yorker regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. By participating in today's event and engaging with our Passover traditions, these elected officials are helping foster the kind of cross-cultural understanding that will enable Jewish New Yorkers to thrive in our vibrant, diverse city.

"I had a blast joining JCRC and community members to tour the Boro Park Seder Matzah Bakery and see first-hand how this Passover staple is made. Experiences like this demonstrate how lucky we are to live in a city of such religious diversity and how we can engage in cross-cultural conversations," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.

"Passover is a time of rebirth and renewal, and I always enjoy taking in the preparations. Visiting Matzah factories, as I do every year, is a meaningful way to show solidarity, support to the Jewish community, and experience the hard work and care that goes into the upcoming holiday," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. "I wish everyone who celebrates a Happy Pesach!"

"As we approach Passover, JCRC-NY provided a profoundly unifying opportunity to learn about the rich culture behind the season-as legislators, community and faith-based leaders experienced the Jewish traditions of matzah-making firsthand at Brooklyn's iconic Boro Park Seder Matzah Bakery", said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. "I thank JCRC-NY for their leadership and innovative efforts to connect New York's diverse communities of all backgrounds, as we work together to ensure our Jewish neighbors are understood, welcomed, supported, and protected."

?"Jewish culture and Asian culture have much in common. Our values and our traditions honoring perseverance and determination are just part of our many similarities. Learning more about Matzah-making and the significance of Passover is a chance to learn and share in the traditions of the Jewish culture. Getting a tasty meal is a bonus too," said Councilmember Susan Zhuang.

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JCRC-NY, a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.