How to go
What: Passover Seder at the University of Dayton
When: 6 p.m. Monday, April 11
Where: Kennedy Union Ballroom at the University of Dayton campus
Tickets: $5 available at the Kennedy Union Box Office, or call (937) 229-2545
Parking: Visitors can stop at the visitor's parking booth on College Park Circle to receive a parking pass. College Park Circle is through the arch, off Stewart Street.
More information: Contact Jacob Rosen at udjrosen@gmail.com
DAYTON — A Jewish student at the University of Dayton is looking forward to sharing his religious traditions with his Catholic college community.
Jacob Rosen, a UD junior from Akron, is organizing the school’s first large-scale Passover seder, the traditional meal that ushers in the eight-day holiday. The festival commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt and celebrates religious freedom.
UD will host the festive “mock seder” on April 11 in the Kennedy Union Ballroom. More than 300 are expected, with the event open to those on campus and to the general community.
The official Passover holiday begins one week later at sundown on April 18. Jewish families throughout the world will gather in homes and synagogues to retell the Exodus story through song, games and lively discussion.
Rosen says “seder” means “order” in Hebrew.
“There is a specific order of operation for the seder,” explains Rosen, who finds Passover a very inspiring time. The idea, he says, is for those sitting around the seder table to put themselves in the shoes of those fleeing Egyptian slavery.
“It’s a time to count your blessings, to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our past and our future, and a time to love and appreciate the people close to you and everything that has gotten you to the point you are at today.”
Rosen says a typical seder in his Akron home always involves at least 20 other family members and friends.
“We always invite one family that isn’t Jewish as well,” he adds. “It means a lot to my parents to teach the lessons from the seder.”
He’s looking forward to carrying on that family tradition of hospitality at UD. The school’s Fact Book indicates there are 13 undergraduates at UD who self-identify as Jewish.
“I’m hoping non-Jews who attend the seder will learn a little more about Judaism and appreciate and enjoy our shared background and traditions,” he says.
“No previous experience is necessary. We’ll encourage everyone to relate the journey of the Jewish people to their own personal lives.”
Leading the seder will be Rabbi David Burstein, assistant rabbi and education director at Temple Beth Or in Kettering.
Burstein, who lectures throughout the Tri-State on topics ranging from sports psychology and coaching to sacred drumming, has studied meditation for more than 10 years and holds two black belts in martial arts.
Participants will be introduced to the symbolic foods on the seder plate used to tell the Passover story.
As part of the service, a traditional dinner — from matzoh ball soup to chicken — will be prepared and served by Kennedy Union’s dining services.
Rosen, a UD junior who is currently sports editor of the Flyer News, is an honors student who will become the newspaper’s editor-in-chief next year. He spent a year planning the upcoming seder and has raised $8,000 to underwrite it. Participating sponsors range from Rosen’s supportive parents to UD’s Office of the President and the Campus Minisry.
“The Passover seder fits into the university’s mission of multicultural engagement and goal of building community by creating a more inclusive campus environment,” said Scott Segalewitz, chairman of the engineering technology program and faculty adviser to the University of Dayton Hillel.
“We hope the event increases interfaith dialogue so students will have a better understanding of each others’ background.”
Rosen is excited about future Jewish events on campus and is already planning a celebration for the fall harvest holiday of Sukkot.
“I’m hoping we can have more dialogue and conversation sessions on campus,” he says, “to promote collaboration and understanding.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.
About the Author
