The day before Passover is the busiest day of the year at Sabra Grill, a fast-casual kosher Middle Eastern restaurant.

During Passover, which starts the evening of April 8 and ends the evening of April 16, observant Jews can only eat unleavened grains. They sell or get rid of leavened foods or foods made with wheat, barley, spelt, oats and rye. That even includes cleaning their houses to eliminate all traces of these items.

With their cleaning tasks complete, they often head to the cheerful Sabra Grill in the 12 Corners area of Brighton. There are often lines out the door, said Noy Cohen, who owns the Sabra Grill with her mother, Ruth.

This year, she doesn't know what to expect. Will people stay away or will they still visit for takeout? Either possibility represents a challenge.

“We’re concerned about crowds," she said. “It’s going to be very difficult.”

Because people are having a harder time getting food supplies for Passover, the restaurant is also selling kosher ground beef, turkey and chicken by the pound that people can prepare at home. [Calling ahead to (585) 244-2211 is appreciated.]

The Sabra Grill, like most restaurants and food establishments, is already facing a difficult business environment due to dining rooms being closed and people staying home as a result of the coronavirus.

But many food-related businesses owned by observant Jews, including Sabra Grill, will also close for the week of Passover. It is not good timing. “It really hits us as a restaurant hard,” Cohen said.

Cooking Seder for 600

Eli Barashi, chef/owner of Inspired Kitchen and Coffee, the kosher cafe at the Jewish Community Center in Brighton, is facing a very different challenge.

After working in kosher catering for the past 20 years, most recently for the University of Rochester, Barashi struck out on his own in September. The catering end of his business is called Inspired Catering. He had planned to offer Passover catering eventually, but he didn't feel like his fledgling business was ready this year.

But when the coronavirus outbreak hit, leaving many people in need of a Passover meal, he grabbed the bull by its horns.

He and his staff set up shop in the kitchen at Congregation Beth Sholom on Monroe Avenue. The kitchen was cleaned in order to receive BVK kosher certification, which meets the requirements of any level of kosher diet.

Since then, he has been overwhelmed by orders for "Seder in a Box" meals, which will include the symbolic Seder foods. He and his staff have been working for days to prepare more than 600 meals.

Just over half will be distributed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester and Jewish Family Services to people in need or who can't leave home to purchase Seder meals. Barashi also will be delivering meals to medical workers. Others have been ordered by Jewish families. They will be delivered Monday and Tuesday, in time for Seder suppers that families will hold on Wednesday or Thursday.

Until early this week, Inspired Kitchen and Coffee at the JCC had been offering a limited menu for delivery. It has closed as the staff prepares the Seder meals. It will reopen for just one day — Tuesday, April 7 — and will offer pizza delivery for lunch and dinner. After that, it will close, and will reopen after Passover.

Lipman's Kosher Butcher & Market

Lipman's Kosher Butcher and Market, like many retailers, has experienced challenges with sourcing products, in particular because much of what it sells is sourced from New York City.

A week ago, owner Aharon Baruch got only three-quarters of what he ordered, but a recent order contained everything. He is hoping his next order makes up for some of the shortages.

He is working in masks and gloves and cleaning surfaces every 30 minutes. He delivers orders to cars upon request, particularly for elderly customers.

“We try to do our best to serve our community," Baruch said. "We know our community inside and out.”

He lost business when the universities closed. “It's a shame to lose — but it’s a situation we don’t have any control over,” he said. He has been encouraged by familiar and new faces from the neighborhood visiting his shop.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, he will sell all of his products that are not Kosher for Passover to a rabbi or someone who is not Jewish before Passover. He will close for the Passover holiday from Wednesday, April 8, through Saturday, April 11.

When he reopens, the products that are not Kosher for Passover will remain on his shelves, but will be covered and not be available for sale. When Passover is over, he will buy the products back and uncover them.

"It’s symbolic but it is traditionally done over the generations," Baruch said.

Brownstein's Deli and Bakery

Brownstein's Deli and Bakery, 1862 Monroe Ave. in Brighton, has been open for takeout including for their popular bagels, sandwiches, chicken soup and more. They ask that customers call in orders to (585) 442-2770 to limit their time in the store; they will do curbside service on request.

"Business retail has been very good," said Irwin Brown, owner. "It’s keeping me alive." He noted he lost businesses due to school districts and colleges closing.

Brownstein's will be open through April 7 and then will close during Passover.

"We close for Passover all the time," Brown said. "It happens to be a bad time, but it’s bad times for everybody.”

Reporter Tracy Schuhmacher focuses on food from many facets. Send story tips to TracyS@Gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram as @RahChaChow. Your subscription makes work like this possible.