Chief Serpas Assists Members of West End Synagogue During Passover Holiday
Chief Ronal Serpas and Rabbi Kliel Rose of the West End Synagogue met this morning as part of what's become an annual practice to support the holiday of Passover.
Chief Serpas is helping the Jewish community of Nashville celebrate the holiday 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 Rose will buy back the leavened products from Chief Serpas.
The West End Synagogue is making a financial donation to the 100 Club of Nashville in honor of the police department’s assistance to the Jewish community. The 100 Club helps pay the debts of police officers and firefighters who are killed or suffer disabling injuries in the line of duty.
Chief Ronal Serpas accepts documentation from Rabbi Kliel Rose making the Chief the temporary owner of leavened products inside the homes of West End Synagogue members.