Passover begins on April 6th but anyone who has ever ordered supplies for the holiday knows you need to start early. Servicemembers should order your Passover Seder kits and Kosher for Passover MRE’s from the DLA as soon as possible.
In order to ensure arrival before the holiday, individual orders must to be in to the DLA by February 18, 2012. Any order arriving after February 18, 2012 will be reviewed and may or may not be approved on a case by case basis.
These kits and rations have been a godsend for me in the past, both on deployments and at “home”. They have everything you need for a seder, whether you are celebrating by yourself or with a group of 2 to 200 (if you order enough!). While the MREs don’t hold a candle to Bubbie’s brisket, they get the job done. My personal advice is to have someone from home send you some additional “treats” to allow for some variety so you aren’t eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the entire holiday.
Passover Seder Kits
There are two (2) different Passover Seder kits. The Rabbi/Leader kit (NSN 9925-01-526-3373) is for persons leading the Passover Seder. The participant kit (NSN 9925-01-526-3364) is for those attending the Passover Seder. Personnel unable to attend a community Passover Seder who plan to conduct their own private Seder should order the Rabbi/Leader kit. Each kit contains all items necessary for two Passover Seders.
Seder kits and Kosher for Passover wine should be ordered through Ms. Maryann Bonk at DLA. You can also contact Jim Crosby, 215-737-0618; DSN:444-0618
Kosher For Passover Rations
The DLA also has available MREs especially for Passover use. The NSN for those is 8970-01-524-8003 . Each order includes twelve (12) meals per case. Each case contains 8 meat and 4 fish meals. These meals are normally funded by your unit’s sustenance funding which is normally controlled by food service personnel (i.e. the chow hall orders them). After Passover anyone can consume the rations. Their shelf life will not keep for several months, but not nearly as long as standard MREs. The point of contact for these are Debbie Sinno at the DLA.
Personnel requiring Passover Seder kits and Kosher for Passover meals should immediately contact their unit chaplain, Jewish chaplain or lay leader to advise them of their needs. Any order should also consider additional incoming personnel who may arrive prior to Passover. Any of these items can be ordered for any Jewish service member where ever they may be stationed, even if they are located in the US. One does not need to be deployed to order Passover kits or rations.
