On the first night of Passover, Jewish communities around the world celebrated the holiday, with some gatherings taking place in unexpected locations such as pro-Palestinian protests at universities like Columbia. At Columbia, students and faculty gathered in a circle around a blue tarp with boxes of matzo and food, wearing kaffiyehs and Jewish skullcaps. They distributed handmade Haggadahs and read prayers in Hebrew, but also incorporated changes like adding a watermelon on the Seder plate to represent the flag of Palestine and using grape juice instead of wine. The focus was on the suffering of the Palestinian people and the need for liberation.
Similar scenes played out at other pro-Palestinian encampments and protests at universities like Yale, where students gathered for a Seder table symbol painted on a sheet on the main university quad. The Seder marked the end of a day that included arrests of students at a tent encampment and a protest calling for divestment from weapons manufacturers. Banners were held with messages like “Our Seder plates are empty stop starving Gaza” and “Another Jew for a free Palestine”. References to suffering in Gaza and support for the Palestinian cause were integrated into the ritual, with participants standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
At a more traditional Seder at Chabad Columbia, an Orthodox Jewish movement, students sought a sense of community amidst tensions on campus. Rabbi Yuda Drizin and his wife, Naomi, co-directed the group and were expecting over 100 students for the Seder. The atmosphere was filled with chatter and laughter as students connected with new and old friends. Rabbi Drizin emphasized the message of finding a way to stand above the conflict and just be Jewish, without it being a response or reaction to anything else. The Seder provided a space for students to celebrate as part of a Jewish family on campus.
The Seder at Columbia’s tent encampment featured a mix of traditional Passover elements and acknowledgments of the Palestinian struggle. Students and faculty gathered in a circle with matzo and food, incorporating changes like adding a watermelon on the Seder plate to represent Palestine’s flag and using grape juice instead of wine. This unique Seder highlighted the importance of solidarity with the Palestinian people and the call for their liberation amidst ongoing conflicts and protests.
Similar scenes unfolded at pro-Palestinian encampments and protests at universities like Yale, where students gathered for a Seder table symbol painted on a sheet on the main quad. The Seder marked the end of a day that included arrests at a tent encampment and a protest calling for divestment from weapons manufacturers. Banners with messages supporting the Palestinian cause were displayed, and students stood in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinian student activism, emphasizing the connection between their Jewish identity and support for Palestinian liberation.
At a more traditional Seder at Chabad Columbia, students found a sense of community and connection amidst campus tensions. Rabbi Yuda Drizin and his wife, Naomi, welcomed students to celebrate Passover as part of a Jewish family on campus. The atmosphere was one of celebration and togetherness, with the message of standing above conflict and embracing Jewish identity as a central theme. The Seder at Chabad Columbia provided a space for students to come together, connect with others, and celebrate their Jewish heritage in the midst of larger campus tensions.
