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Hillel educates university about Passover |
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Tuesday, 04 April 2006 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
Students will flock to the student union Wednesday at 7 p.m. to learn about the exodus of Hebrew slaves from Egypt.
Hillel, the Jewish student organization, sponsors a Passover Seder to
commemorate the holiday, senior history major and Hillel officer Matt
M. Manes said.
“We want to raise awareness to students on campus, as well as Jewish students, to get involved,” Manes said.
Manes said this event is also to raise awareness about Judaism to
Appalachian State University’s faculty. The Faculty Senate amended the
Faculty Handbook last semester to encourage faculty to give students
the opportunity to miss a class to observe a religious holiday.
Dr. Denise M. Lovin of the Counseling Center, an advisor to Hillel, supports the amendment.
“I certainly think it’s a great decision, and I hope faculty honor it,” Lovin said.
Passover, which starts April 12 at sunset and lasts until April 20,
commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and the beginning of the
Jewish people as a nation.
The Seder, which means “order” in Hebrew, follows the events of the Old Testament, including the 10 plagues of Egypt.
Although Manes said the dinner served by ASU Food Services is not a
traditional dinner, certain foods will be served throughout the Seder
to represent certain aspects of the exodus.
Manus said bitter herb is served to remind of the bitterness of
slavery. Matzoh, which is unleavened bread, represents the bread that
did not have time to rise before the Jews escaped from Egypt.
Charoses is made from a few ingredients, including nuts and wine, and
represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves when building. Salt water
represents their tears. Both parsley and lettuce represent a new
season, and a roasted egg and a shank bone represent a sacrificial
offering.
Manes said there is typically wine, but grape juice will be used in its
place. Typically, four glasses of wine will represent leaving Egypt,
being free from bondage, redemption and the beginning of a new nation.
Manes also said traditionally every person has a pillow in their chair to represent the end of their slavery.
Passover will be celebrated early in order to avoid conflict with other
Passover plans, Manes said. Many Jews travel to Israel for the event,
though it is a family tradition that passes from parents to children.
“It’s a very festive holiday and an opportunity for Jewish families to celebrate together,” Manes said.
Manes said many college students are not able to fully observe Passover
when they are away from home, and it is especially hard when Boone does
not have a large Jewish community.
“We’re trying to accommodate them more as the community grows,” Manes said.
The Passover Seder, which has sold out at more than 150 tickets, will
be held in the Blue Ridge Ballroom at 7 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union.
Hillel meets April 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the MaCrae Peak Room of the student union.
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