Special Events & Monotony Breakers

Passover

Passover in 2011 will start on Tuesday, the 19th of April and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 25th of April. Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Passover on the sunset of Monday, the 18th of April. Source: http://www.when-is.com/passover-2011.asp

Look for the special Passover items in the dining rooms!

Passover is an eight day celebration of the delivery of Jews from slavery in Egypt around 3000 years ago under the rule of Pharaoh Ramses II. The book of Exodus tells about Moses, a Jewish shepherd, who was told by God to go to Pharaoh and demand the freedom of his people.

When Moses’ plea was ignored, he told Pharaoh that God would send plagues to the people of Egypt if the Israelites were not freed. But Pharaoh ignored Mosses’ and in response God unleashed a series of 10 terrible plagues on the people.

Pharaoh was unconvinced and refused to free the Jewish slaves, until the last plague.

Pesach, which means “passing over” in Hebrew, comes from the final plague in Egypt. This was when God sent the angel of death to kill the first-born of man and beast. The Israelites were spared when the angel of death “passed over” their homes.

Pharaoh finally agreed to free the Israelites. The Israelites left their homes so quickly that there was no time to bake the bread. Because of this, they packed the raw dough to take with them. As they fled through the desert, they quickly baked the dough in the hot sun into hard crackers called matzoh. To remember this event today, Jews eat matzoh in place of bread during Passover.

Passover is a time of family gathering when the story and history is read from the book of Exodus. The first 2 nights are celebrated with meals called Seders. Special foods, plates, silverware, and songs are all a part of Seder.

Customs and Meanings of the Passover Dinner

  • Unleaven bread or matzoh - because the Jews had no time to bake their bread when they left Egypt
  • Bitter herbs - to serve as a reminder of the bitter and cruel treatment in Egypt
  • Foods are dipped twice and chopped apples with nuts are eaten - as a reminder of the hard work and bricks that were made of clay
  • Parsley dipped into salt water - to remember the tears of Jewish slaves
  • Meal eaten while resting on pillows - to be comfortable and remember that while they were once slaves, they are now free

source: www.holidays.net/passover

Do you know of another holiday we should be acknowledging? Have an idea for a fun theme dinner we should have? Email us at diningservices@unco.edu for consideration! We would love to hear from you!