ST. LOUIS — Jews all over the world celebrated the beginning of Passover on Monday.
Washington University students say this Passover celebration is a lot harder for them this year as many of them think of their families in Israel still facing a war, making it even more important to come together.
“Passover is about the Jews being freed from Egypt. So it's about celebrating our freedom. But it's kind of hard right now because we know that there are hostages right now who are not free and not able to celebrate their freedom,” Wash U junior Michelle Wishner said.
But students say they find comfort in the community this Passover.
“I think it's just the way that we really bring the whole community together and bring people who don't normally show up to like weekly dinners, or any sort of event really get to come and experience all the different culture,” Wash U sophomore Marissa Lazarus said.
The Seder is full of symbolism, Rabbi Hershey Novack said his personal favorite is explaining the meaning of the matzah -- that’s the flat cracker bread served at the Seder.
“So the idea that this same loaf, the same cracker, has two connotations, at the beginning of the narrative, it means sadness. At the end of the narrative, it means redemption and freedom. I think that's very, very beautiful,” Rabbi Novack said.
While unrest continues in Israel, it’s also happening on a different level on college campuses where students say it can be hard to simply be Jewish.
“Wash U was known as a safe place for Jewish students, which is what attracted me to the campus that has such a vibrant Jewish life, and coming here to see anti-Jewish, anti-Israel protests and disruptions really is disheartening,” Wash U freshman Aron Goodman said.
Rabbi Novack says that’s why it's so important to spread the message of peace and light.
“College campuses are the proving ground for the future of America. If we can do it here, they can do it anywhere else,” Novack said.
Passover officially began Monday at sundown and ends next Tuesday evening.