The Organizer

Dear Devorah,

Every time Yom Tov rolls around, I make the same resolution: This time, I’m going to be ready. I’ll be organized. Calm. Maybe even have time to sit for five minutes before candle lighting.

But instead, I end up rushing, exhausted and overwhelmed.

Any advice?

—Last-Minute Again

 

Dear Last-Minute,

The truth is, no matter how organized we are, Yom Tov prep is a lot. It’s cooking, cleaning, coordinating, and remembering to tape the light switch down—all before shkiah.

But there are a few areas that—when set up with intention—can shift the whole tone of the day.

And no, we’re not talking about perfectly folded guest towels (though if you’re doing that too—kudos). We’re talking about the area that actually impact your calm.

Let’s talk about how to prep for a Shavuos where you can actually have your cheesecake—and eat it too.

1. Prep Ahead 

Everyone handles Yom Tov cooking differently.

Some people cook and freeze for weeks in advance. That’s amazing—and it can make Yom Tov so much easier.

Others won’t put anything in the freezer unless it’s soup or a tray of knishes, and even then, it’s with hesitation.

And then there are people who want to cook ahead but just don’t have the time, freezer space, or mental capacity to start that early.

If you fall into either of those last two groups, here’s what I recommend: take a few extra minutes now to prep the things you’re already touching. You don’t need to cook full meals today. But if you’re already unpacking the groceries delivery or washing produce, a little effort now will save you time (and stress) later.

Here are a few things that make a big difference:

● Season your meats or chicken before sticking them into the freezer 

● Bread your schnitzel in advance and stack it in layers with parchment paper

● Chop vegetables for soup, salad, or side dishes and store them airtight in the fridge

● Mix salad dressing ahead of time—keep it in a jar in the fridge and shake before serving

● Freeze sauces or marinades so you’re not making them from scratch on Erev Yom Tov

You’re not sacrificing quality. You’re just making it easier to show up and cook calmly when things get busy.

2. Mystery Foil Is Not a System

Picture it: Erev Yom Tov. You open the freezer and stare down a leaning tower of foil-wrapped pans, trying to guess which one holds the roast.

Labeling isn’t optional—it’s life-saving.

If you’re cooking ahead, go through your menu and label everything clearly—by contents and by meal. That way, when it’s time to reheat, you’re not guessing or flipping through five half-smudged menus trying to remember what’s what.

For example:

● “First Night – Basil Chicken”

● “First Day Kiddush  – Cheesecake”

● “Second Day Lunch – Potato Kugel #2 (the good one)”

If you’re prepping ahead, the same rules apply. Label everything—not just what it is, but how and when to cook it.

Take a minute to write:

● “First Night – Raw Basil Chicken – Bake at 375° for 2 hours, uncovered – defrost fully before baking”

You can use painter’s tape, Sharpies, mailing labels, masking tape—whatever works. Bonus points if your handwriting is legible.

Just don’t rely on “I’ll remember.” You won’t. Not by the last day of Yom Tov.

You don’t need to write a novel—just enough so that Future You isn’t flipping through sticky recipe pages or scrolling through your screenshots trying to figure out the cooking instructions. 

And please—label both the top and the side. When it’s on the counter, you need to see the top. When it’s buried in the freezer, you need to see the side. Trust me on this one.

3. The List That Saves Your Brain

Every week, you do the same prep:

Set the timers. Cut foil. Plug in the urn. Check the air conditioners. Take out the bentchers. Light the candles.

You’re doing it. You’ve just never written it down.

So here’s the tip that makes a real difference: make a standard Shabbos/Yom Tov prep list.

Not a fancy one. Not one that lives in your Notes app, never to be seen again. I mean a printed, physical list. Tape it inside a cabinet door or stick it on the fridge.

It doesn’t need to be poetic. It just needs to be practical.

Include everything that repeats:

● Refill in the urn

● Cut paper towels 

● Turn off alarms

● Turn off the fridge light 

● Set up the hot plate.. 

And if your Yom Tov routine is different from Shabbos? Make a separate list.

You don’t want to be halfway through Hadlakas Neiros wondering if you remembered to do Eruv Tavshilin. 

A checklist won’t make Yom Tov stress disappear—but it will make you feel like someone’s thinking ahead. (Because you were. On a Tuesday. When your brain was still functioning.)

4. Candle Lighting: Your Space, Your Mitzvah

Most of the areas we organize are for the whole family—the pantry, the entryway, the fridge that everyone treats like a vending machine.

But candle lighting is different. This is your mitzvah. Your moment. Your space.

It’s not just another task on the list—it’s the way we welcome Shabbos and Yom Tov into our homes. And when your setup is calm, it sets the tone for everything that follows.

Start by picking one designated spot—a drawer or a cabinet —and keep everything there:

● Your candles or oil cups

● Wicks, lighters, matches

● Yortzeit candles 

● Holders and accessories

● A spot for your daughter’s candle if she lights too

Keep it accessible, especially if you’re setting up in a rush (because let’s be real: you will be). When it’s all in one place, you don’t have to hunt for a lighter while the soup is boiling over.

And this is one space where I fully support going a little extra: Buy that Waterdale Pushka. Display the framed bracha. Light your candles in a space that feels beautiful—because it is beautiful. And it’s just for you.

 

Final Thoughts

Yom Tov prep is no small thing. It takes real effort—emotional, physical, and logistical. But with a few intentional systems in place, the entire process can feel lighter. Calmer. More grounded.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about being prepared enough to walk into Yom Tov with less scrambling and more presence.

And if that includes treating yourself to a new acrylic match holder along the way? I’m all for it.

Happy Organizing, 

Devorah