Seders

Hillel will have a seder on the first night: Friday April 19th. The first night seder features a variety of themed seders to choose from (see below). Registration will be required.

Registrations will be live on our website in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to this page, Facebook, HCN, and Twitter for more detailed information!
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You can also host your own seder or attend one in the community! If you want to host a Seder in your dorm or house, we will help you with the necessary accouterments: seder plate, matzah, and haggadot. Likewise, if you prefer to be hosted by a family in the Providence community or other students on campus, we're happy to make a match for you!

Examples of past first night seder options have included:

• Community Seder - A traditional Passover Seder. We’ll make our way through the Haggadah and engage in discussions of different aspects of the experience. A great place for both novice seder attendees and those of us who are missing our family’s customs. 
• Seder for Birthright Alumni and Friends! - Become an honorary member of the Birthright family laid-back, family-style seder. Coordinated and led in collaboration with student volunteers. 
• Tzedek Seder - This seder explores the story of Passover as a story of liberation for marginalized populations, and as a call to action for social justice.
• Beta Rho Pi Seder - A peer-led seder open to all and specifically oriented to the BRP community and their friends. 
• Band Seder - A seder hosted by and for members of the Brown University Band 
• Ultimate Frisbee Seder - A seder hosted by and for members and friends of Brown's Ultimate Frisbee team.
• Additional options for students to select
  • ​Be hosted by a family in the local community
  • Be hosted by a student on campus
  • Host other students (A haggadot and complete seder plate will be provided for you)

Passover Meals

​​Kosher for Passover lunches and dinners for the entirety of the holiday will be available for purchase. More details coming soon.

More Information about Celebrating Passover

The following are three traditional Passover customs that may be of interest to you. To learn more, please contact Rabbi Dardashti.
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Maot Hittin: There is an ancient custom to give tzedakah (specifically, money) before Pesah (Passover) to enable fellow Jews to eat and celebrate fittingly on this holiday. This money ("Maot Hittin") is ideally given as much in advance of the holiday as possible. If you are interested, please give your donations to a member of the Hillel staff in cash or checks made payable to "CBS Rabbi's Discretionary Fund" by Friday, April 7th. The money will be distributed to local community members in need. 
  
Selling Your Hametz: Hametz (any food, liquor, etc. -- products containing wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye -- which are not kosher for Passover) is traditionally cleaned up and removed before the holiday. Any remaining hametz not cleaned/removed from your premises, which you wish to store away for after the holiday, is legally SOLD, so as not to be legally yours for duration of Passover. If you are interested, and please contact Rabbi Dardashti for more information. 
  
Bedikat Hametz: The ceremony of checking/searching for any hametz not yet removed (via cleaning or selling) from your possession is performed on Sunday evening, April 9th. (We have some Bedikat Hametz kits over at Hillel as well. Please stop by Rabbi Dardashti's office if you would like one.)