UTS Hosts a Seder at Passover

Contributed by Jizlibel Dohou

Since we have entered a new millennium of binding faiths together through celebrating interfaith initiatives, the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) hosted a Seder on April 22 to celebrate Passover with guests from all different faiths.

Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the escape of the Israelites from ancient Egypt. A feature of Passover is a ritual meal or Seder in memory of the Israelites who had been oppressed and who received their freedom through God’s deliverance.

A wonderful Passover service was conducted by Professor of Scriptural Studies and Director of Scriptural Research Dr. Andrew Wilson, a Jewish person himself. Dr. Wilson redefined the Passover celebration and invited the seminary students, faculty members, and several guests to participate.

The Seder began with connecting to the sanctification of the evening by reciting the blessings of Shehecheyanu, expressions of joy for the liberation of the Jews from their history of slavery.

During the feast, a capful of water was poured onto each hand, followed by dipping parsley in salt water, symbolizing the tears shed during the harshness of slavery. The officiator of the service then broke the Matzah in half, symbolizing the unleavened bread that was left behind due to the rushed exodus from Egypt.

The Passover evening concluded with everyone singing “Dayenu,” a traditional Jewish Passover song meaning “it would have been enough.”