2008 Woodie Awards
Hillel's "Chocolate Seder" lifts many spirits
Ryan Weaver
Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: Lifestyle
It's been called the "Time of Spring," the "Holiday of Matzah," "The Time of Our Freedom" and "Pesgeh." But on Tuesday night in the Emerson Dining Hall, most of the 76 students who attended Emerson Hillel's celebration of Passover just called it good.
Emerson Hillel, the college's Jewish student organization, held its first "chocolate seder" this year for both Jewish and gentile students to commemorate Passover, one of Judaism's holiest holidays. The large turnout made it Hillel's biggest event ever, according to juniot film major Yoni Vendriger, the organization's president.
According to Vendriger, guests at the dinner included students from Suffolk University and Boston University as well as Emerson students, and the "buddies" of Emerson students who were participants in the the Best Buddies program, which pairs students with developmentally challenged adults. In some cases it was the student sharing his or her faith, Vendriger said, and in some cases it was the partner who had been raised Jewish. Many other students were visibly proud to share their traditions with non-Jewish friends who came to share in the feast.
"We encouraged people to bring their non-Jewish friends so that they can experience the culture of their friends," Vendriger said. By using Hillel of New England's chocolate seder program, developed in 2003, Vendriger said he hoped to introduce new people to the dinner custom while giving those for whom it had become habit a chance to "explore it again in a new way."
The symbolism of the feast is the most important part of the meal: Passover's customs concern much more than Charlton Heston ever let on. Originally an agricultural festival, this spring celebration took on new meaning for the Hebrew people as a time to commemorate their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt by their leader and prophet, Moses, according to Rabbi Al Axelrad, chair of the Center for Spiritual Life at Emerson. The seder, which means "order" in Hebrew, is based on the idea that freedom is a privilege with a price, and that compassion, even for ones enemies, is the highest act of humanity.
Emerson Hillel, the college's Jewish student organization, held its first "chocolate seder" this year for both Jewish and gentile students to commemorate Passover, one of Judaism's holiest holidays. The large turnout made it Hillel's biggest event ever, according to juniot film major Yoni Vendriger, the organization's president.
According to Vendriger, guests at the dinner included students from Suffolk University and Boston University as well as Emerson students, and the "buddies" of Emerson students who were participants in the the Best Buddies program, which pairs students with developmentally challenged adults. In some cases it was the student sharing his or her faith, Vendriger said, and in some cases it was the partner who had been raised Jewish. Many other students were visibly proud to share their traditions with non-Jewish friends who came to share in the feast.
"We encouraged people to bring their non-Jewish friends so that they can experience the culture of their friends," Vendriger said. By using Hillel of New England's chocolate seder program, developed in 2003, Vendriger said he hoped to introduce new people to the dinner custom while giving those for whom it had become habit a chance to "explore it again in a new way."
The symbolism of the feast is the most important part of the meal: Passover's customs concern much more than Charlton Heston ever let on. Originally an agricultural festival, this spring celebration took on new meaning for the Hebrew people as a time to commemorate their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt by their leader and prophet, Moses, according to Rabbi Al Axelrad, chair of the Center for Spiritual Life at Emerson. The seder, which means "order" in Hebrew, is based on the idea that freedom is a privilege with a price, and that compassion, even for ones enemies, is the highest act of humanity.
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