Chief Serpas Teams with West End Synagogue to Support Jewish Community and Domestic Violence Shelter
Chief Ronal Serpas and Rabbi Ronald Roth of the West End Synagogue are working together to support the Jewish community as well as the women and children served by Nashville’s Morning Star Sanctuary.
Chief Serpas is helping the Jewish community of Nashville celebrate the holiday of Passover by purchasing leavened products, known as “chametz,” during the eight days of Passover. Jews are prohibited from owning leavened products such as bread, cereals, and even beer, during the holiday. In many instances, Jewish families place canned or packaged leavened foods in a closet or cupboard that will stay closed for the duration of the eight days. A Rabbi is given the power of attorney to sell all of the products to a non-Jew until Passover has ended. After the holiday ends, Rabbi Roth will buy back the leavened products from Chief Serpas.
The West End Synagogue is making a $600 donation to Morning Star Sanctuary in honor of the police department’s assistance to the Jewish community. Morning Star Sanctuary provides a confidential shelter in a home-like environment to women and their children who have fled from domestic violence and abusive relationships. The shelter also makes available 24-hour crisis line counseling, legal advocacy, individual adult and children’s counseling, weekly support groups and a mentoring program.
According to the Bible, when the Jews left slavery in Egypt, they were in such a hurry that their bread did not have a chance to rise. Therefore, during Passover, the holiday that commemorates the Exodus, Jews are forbidden to eat any leavened product. In place of bread, flat unleavened wafers are eaten during the eight days of the festival.
Rabbi Ronald Roth (right) displays a brochure sent to members of his congregation informing them that Chief Serpas will officially own their “chametz” during the eight days of Passover.