Dear Friends of Hillel,
The Israelites had to improvise as they ran out of Egypt, and we are all improvising a bit as we celebrate Passover amidst a global pandemic. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy, and that this Passover, while unusual and imperfect, will still be full of meaning and joy for you.
Passover, the festival of freedom, is full of moments celebrating adaptability, courage, and faith. We are leaning in to those qualities in new ways this year, as we look to celebrate the tradition of liberation with new and unconventional tools. We want to share ways you can support students and ways we can support YOU in this challenging time.
Hosting students virtually at your Passover seder
is just one way. Read on for more ideas, opportunities and resources.
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Connecting with students to learn about their new realities
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Over the past month,
more than 1,000 graduate and undergraduate students received individualized check-ins from staff
. These have ranged from phone calls to texts, facebook messages to emails. We heard stories about struggles with finances, to adjusting to life in childhood bedrooms, to what they need for Passover.
Our message is simple: we miss you and are here to help cope with this new "normal." Here are a few of the messages students are texting back:
"I'm a fourth-year grad student and haven't been to Hillel yet. I've been meaning to connect with the Jewish community at Stanford this whole time, and this seems like a good to time to start making those connections."
"I appreciate all of you very much :) <3"
"You are all amazing and I’ll miss you until we’re reunited. Sending a big hug!"
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For students "sheltering in place" on campus
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We learned that many students are quarantined in their dorms and apartments on campus and are relying on us for their Passover supplies. Thanks to the tireless effort of our partners in Stanford Dining, we transformed our kosher kitchen in the Koret Pavilion at the Ziff Center into a COVID-19 Passover meal distribution center.
More than 60 students are signed up to take individually wrapped Passover meals and seder plates.
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Get (or contribute your wisdom to) the Hillel at Stanford Haggadah Insert
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Hillel at Stanford is producing a
Haggadah insert
, a collection of additional readings, activities and reflection for anyone who would like to bring a piece of Stanford to their Passover seder this year. Request a copy
here
and we will email copies on Tuesday April 7.
For Stanford Faculty:
share a few words wishing students a happy and meaningful Passover, a reflection you have written on this unprecedented time, or directing us to a previously written piece that addresses either the themes of the Passover seder (freedom, liberation, redemption, overcoming hardship, welcoming in the most vulnerable), or the times we find ourselves in. It is our hope that our faculty’s wisdom and that of our tradition will bring a little piece of Stanford to our students who are scattered far and wide, while also helping us all make meaning out of this extraordinarily difficult time. Contributions can be emailed to Rabbi Baz,
ebaz@stanford.edu
or submitted using this
form
.
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Will you host a student at your virtual seder?
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Seder matching:
We are matching students in need of a Passover seder with seder hosts. If a student needs a Passover seder to attend via Zoom, we ask that they complete
this form
. If you are hosting seder and are able to welcome a student guest via Zoom, we would be thrilled, and you can express your willingness to host
here
. We ask that guests and hosts let us know by Sunday April 5, and matches will be assigned on Monday April 6.
We are unsure of student demand for a seder match and thank each of you for your understanding if we are unable to connect you with a student.
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Prayers for peace and healing
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As COVID-19 spreads, so too will our need to support one another as this virus impacts those we love. Please use this
form
if you have a loved one who needs healing of body, mind or soul. Hillel will include these names in our personal prayers as well as our communal Shabbat zoom gatherings. If you are willing to take on the practice of reciting tehillim (psalms) for those who are ill, or including their names in a mi-shebeirach (prayers for healing), there is space to indicate in the form as well.
This week we prayed for peace with our amazingly talented students with a setting of "Shalom Rav" by Jeff Klepper and Dan Friedlander.
Check it out!
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As always, thank you for your interest and support of our incredible students. Wishing you and everyone you love a sweet Passover.
Warmly,
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Rabbi Jessica Kirschner, Executive Director
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