Burning the chometz in Woodmere

Residents walked up from nearby homes or drove to the Town of Hempstead parking lot outside the Woodmere firehouse between Franklin and Irving places to drop their chometz (non-kosher food for Passover) in the fire-laden trash cans tended to by the firefighters on the day before the eight-day Jewish holiday that begins March 27. The annual Woodmere Fire Department event returned after being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Passover commemorates the liberation of the ancient Hebrews from 400 years of slavery from Egypt. The tale is told through the Haggadah, which is also the book that guides the holiday meal called a Seder.

Around 10:30 a.m., Town of Hempstead officials, including Councilmen Bruce Blakeman and Anthony D’Esposito wished everyone a Happy Passover.