As Holy Season for Christians and Jews Approaches, SLU Hosts Model Seder
March 05, 2010
This spring, people of
all faith backgrounds at Saint Leo University’s main campus
community once again have the opportunity to participate in a Model
Seder Meal in observance of the Jewish feast of Passover.
Rabbi Gary Klein of Temple Ahavat Shalom of Palm Harbor will lead
the meal and the event, to be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March
10, in the Student Community Center Boardrooms. The event is
co-sponsored by the Office of University Ministry, and the Center
for Catholic-Jewish Studies, an interfaith center housed at Saint
Leo University. The meal is complimentary.
A “model seder” differs in some ways from the more common family
celebrations held in Jewish homes, typically without a rabbi,
during the weeklong Passover holiday. This year Passover begins at
sundown on Monday, March 29.
“This is a teaching seder,” explained Linda Taggart, director of
CCJS. That means, for instance, that the discussion of the rituals
attached to this holiday––which commemorates the emancipation of
the Israelites from slavery in Egypt––will not assume any prior
knowledge of Judaism or Jewish customs. The context will make it
particularly easy for Jews, Christians, and people of other faith
traditions, or no faith tradition, to find meaning in the powerful
story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The setting also gives
those in attendance the chance to speak with each other about their
individual experiences of the ritual in the moment.
Magda Robles, assistant director of University Ministry, considers
the event an “opportunity to embrace diversity and celebrate our
differences in the spirit of community.” In some ways, the event
also reflects the spirit and openness of Saint Leo University.
Although Saint Leo is a Catholic university founded in the
Benedictine tradition, it is welcome to all people of good
character interested in studying, working, or teaching at
SLU.
For more information about the Model Seder Meal, or University
Ministry, email Magda Robles at magda.robles@saintleo.edu.
For more information on the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies and
its programs, visit www.cjstudies.org.
