Saying goodbye to the bread of affliction

April 16, 2009 - 12:25 PM by David

Hungry for bread, the crowds swarm at Angel's as Passover ends.

One of the best things about Passover is that it’s over – especially when you’re not a big matza fan. Matza lasagne, matza meal pancakes, matza pizza, and of course, who could forget matza brie? Well, I could.

That’s why, for about the tenth year running, I joined the throngs last night at around 1 am at the famed Angel Bakery on the Kiryat Yovel-Givat Shaul border in Jerusalem. I invariably end up working the night shift on motzei Pessah, and closing time is the perfect time to head over to the Jerusalem institution. Just follow your nose. It’s one of the most tantalizing aromas you’ll ever have the opportunity to sniff.

They must strike up the ovens about a minute after the holiday is completed. Because only a few hours later – besides the piping hot pita, rolls and loafs of bread, their trays are complete with burekas and pastries of every kind.

There was a line of about 50 people outside the store – a mix of haredim, haredim and my friend and I. But it went rather smoothly and quickly, and once inside the store, it was quite organized. Within 15 minutes from beginning to end, I was munching a fresh, warm pita and putting all those matza memories far behind me.

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