Why is this year different from all others? It’s not; Passover seders prove popular again

(March 29, 2010)

Passover, the eight-day commemoration of the Jew’s exodus from Egypt, kicks-off on Monday evening and hundreds of students have already signed up for Hillel- and Chabad-sponsored Seders. The Seder is the traditional passover meal during which the story of the exodus from Egypt is retold. According to Rabbi Hershey Novack of Chabad on Campus, 200-300 students have already signed up for four seders which will be held over the two nights.

Seders can be held in English, Hebrew or both, and have various styles, including recountings that use non-traditional, LGBT-friendly, and non-sexist language. The Chabad seders are held in the “classic family-style...which is English-friendly and welcoming to Jewish students who come from a broad variety of religious experiences” according to Novack. Hillel, in addition to hosting seders, also offers students the opportunity to make their own seders, providing a pre-made seder plate (featuring symbolic items used to tell the Passover story),   and matzo. Hillel also offers home hospitality, in which they arrange for students to attend seders with members of the St. Louis community.

Students can still register to attend a Chabad seder by visiting www.chabadoncampus.org/SEDER. (Brian Krigsher)