Members of the Loyola and Tulane communities gathered together to celebrate the Passover tradition known as the Seder on April 7.
Athough the Seder typically lasts several hours, the shortened ceremony was a “crash course” in the Jewish tradition of the Seder dinner. Rabbi Yonah Schiller led attendees in the breaking and hiding of the matzo and singing a song of praise. The holiday dinner, which took place during Peace Week, carried a potent message of togetherness and family, yet still emphasized the importance of individuality.
Newly acquainted students sat together at round tables making small talk and pouring each other glasses of grape juice, a gesture meant to promote the idea that everyone is royalty.
While educating participants in the tradition of Passover and the Seder, Schiller said, “Personality is important, but we can’t begin the process unless we’re connected to our essential selves.” That is to say, telling the story is an important element to finding out more about one’s true self.
Schiller also said that an essential idea of the Seder is to “take something totally outside the body and put it in our body.” Thus, in the Seder meal, participants take the company and good spirit of those around them and instill those attitudes into their own.
Newly acquainted students sat together at round tables making small talk and pouring each other glasses of grape juice, a gesture meant to promote the idea that everyone is royalty.
The ninth annual Interfaith Peace Seder, co-sponsored by Loyola’s University Ministry, Tulane Hillel and the Anti-Defamation League, featured speakers Dr. Roger White, Josh Daly and Rabbi Yonah Schiller from the Tulane Hillel Center.
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