Dear Barnard Community,
The Jewish holiday of Passover, centered on themes of liberation, justice and redemption arrives in April.
Our diverse community of Jewish students observe and celebrate this holiday in different ways. The two most popular aspects are participating in festive gatherings called a Seder, and refraining during the holiday from eating foods that contain chametz. Chametz includes leavened bread, or anything else made with wheat, barley, oats, spelt, or rye. Some traditions also place legumes in the list of prohibited Passover foods. Some students will spend the holiday on campus, with minimal change to their daily routine. For more traditionally-observant students, their day-to-day lifestyle is fundamentally altered for the duration of the holiday. Our purpose is to be respectful and inclusive of the variety of Jewish religious and spiritual practices during this important holiday.
Passover begins with a Seder on Saturday, April 12 in the evening and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20.
- The essential breakdown of the Passover week is as follows:
- First Days of Passover: Saturday night, April 12, through Monday night, April 14
- Intermediate Days of Passover: Tuesday, April 15 through Friday, April 18
- Last Days of Passover: Saturday, April 19, through nightfall Sunday, April 20
- The first two days, along with the final two days (with each “day” beginning the evening prior) are observed as yom tov, “a good day”, in which the Torah prohibits work.
Many students, staff and faculty within Barnard celebrate Passover. Accordingly, below you will find relevant information and opportunities to participate.
As always, we appreciate the opportunity to support religious communities within Barnard, as our students, faculty, and staff observe occasions that are important to their faiths and identities.
For Administration and Faculty
- Many observant Jewish students are prohibited from attending class or doing coursework during the first two and last two days of Passover; some religious traditions also preclude using electronics – phones, transportation and computers – during these days. Barnard will make religious accommodations for students.
- If faculty need guidance about how best to accommodate students or have questions about any students in their classes, they may reach out to the student’s Class Dean.
- For specific inquiries about the Jewish holidays, please reach out to Navah Kogen (navah@hillel.columbia.edu).
For Students
- Students seeking religious accommodations for their observation of the holiday should contact their professors as soon as possible.
- Students are responsible to make up their work and be prepared for the next session.
- If students encounter any difficulties in completing work for their classes, they should contact their Class Dean for support and guidance.
Passover Seders and other Opportunities
Jewish life at Barnard/Columbia offers many ways to celebrate the holiday. The festive meals, prayer services, community service opportunities, and other holiday-themed experiences are open to all students. Many of these offerings are housed in the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life (W. 115th between Broadway and Riverside).
To register for a Passover Seder, or to host your own Seder in your own way with all of the necessary materials provided for you, please see here.
Dining
Barnard Kosher at Hewitt Dining will offer nutritious, made-in-house Kosher for Passover options, whether to-go or in-person. Kosher-for-Passover food in the Kosher Servery will be available during the Intermediate Days of the holiday. For the first days of Passover, during Shabbat, and the last days of Passover, meals are available with advance registration. There will be three in-person lunches on campus April 12, April 19 and April 20. Registration is required to attend.
To register for Kosher-for-Passover meals when the servery is closed or the in-person lunches, complete this form.
We wish all who are observing a chag sameach, a happy Passover!
Sincerely,
Leslie Grinage
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Experience and Dean of the College