Passover Sameach!
It’s that time of year — the one where Jewish students nosh on matzah for eight days (seven days in Israel).
Hillel students from around the world celebrated Passover, a holiday recounting the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Below are highlights from their Passover-inspired activities and Hillel seders:
A Sweet Seder
After raising their glasses of chocolate milk, students from University of Texas, Dallas Hillel recited kiddush as part of their annual chocolate seder. They used a variety of sweets to represent traditional items on the seder plate, including unsweetened chocolate to symbolize maror, or bitter herbs.
Doing Good
Students from Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College spent days stuffing bags with Passover essentials — matzah, canned vegetables, matzo ball soup mix. They delivered the packages to more than 275 senior citizens in Brooklyn.
Comfort is Key
Using colorful pieces of fabric, students from West Chester University Hillel created their own pillows to observe the custom of reclining during the seder. In ancient times, royalty used to eat while reclining on couches, armchairs or pillows while slaves were forced to stand nearby. The Jewish people commemorate their freedom from slavery by relaxing during the Passover meal.
Spring Cleaning
Students helped kickoff Passover cleaning at Elon Hillel by ridding the kitchen of chametz, unleavened food. They noshed on bagels and cream cheese before scrubbing the stove, wiping down countertops and sweeping the floor.
On the field
Underneath the glow of stadium lights, more than 400 students from Syracuse University Hillel celebrated the first Passover seder in the Carrier Dome, the largest domed stadium on a college campus. Special guests attended the meal, including Kent Syverud, chancellor and president of Syracuse University.
High Note
University of Miami Hillel added musical flare to its Passover seder. Some Hillel students and professionals strummed guitars and played piano while their peers sang classic Jewish songs, such as “Hallelujah.” Attendees also discussed the importance of Israel and its history.
Tradition
More than 50 students gathered at Hillel Rio to celebrate Passover with a traditional seder meal, complete with steaming bowls of matzah ball soup and plates of hard-boiled eggs. Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about the holiday and sang lively songs from the Haggadah.
Mahjong and Matzah
Students from Goucher College Hillel spent Tuesday night munching on homemade matzah brei, drizzled with kosher for Passover syrup, of course. While eating, they learned how to play Mahjong, a tile-based game that challenges players to eliminate all pieces from the board.