Arcadia England

Today is the last day of Passover, the Jewish festival that recalls the story of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, following centuries of bondage.

Arcadia Trustee Lyanne Wasserman, and her husband Barry, kindly sponsored the provision of multiple opportunities for Arcadia students in London to observe the Passover holiday this year.  On 14th and 15th April, the Arcadia Center hosted two events to commemorate the first and second days of Passover.  Each hour-long, lunchtime gathering invited our students to feast, as well as pause for reflection and express gratitude.  One student mentioned a connection to Easter – noting that Jesus’ last supper was a Passover meal.  For him, both Easter and Passover point to new beginnings.  Others gave thanks for life’s travails and joys, their time studying abroad in London, as well as family and friends.

Last week’s events centered on the traditional Seder plate.  On both days, Center Director, Dr. Peter Leuner, shared the story of Passover and the symbolic meaning of the Seder meal.  Dr. Leuner also explained the role of the Haggadah in outlining the ceremonial structure of the Seder.  Bagels from the famous Jewish bakery, Beigel Bake, served as one particular highlight of the celebrations.   The bagels, while not a part of the Seder repast, represented a part of London’s cultural landscape, as well as Jewish tradition. Seder participants also sampled a host of kosher treats, including macaroons, chocolate matzoh, pastries, and cake.  While the students dined, they perused information on the components of the Seder meal, and learned of the events leading up to the first Passover Seder.

The Wassermans also provided an opportunity for Sarah Dmitrovsky to partake in a Seder meal for young adults at West London Synagogue on Tuesday, 15th April.  Sarah enjoyed a rousing conversation about American politics with a local filmmaker, and with a Bosnian man who is a recent convert to Judaism.  She was happily surprised to come across fellow guests who were so interested in her homeland.  Sarah explains her full impression of the experience below:

No matter where I am in the world, observing the Jewish holidays is just as important to me as it is when I'm with my family back home in America.  Living in a new city it can be challenging finding a community that shares similar views as yourself. When Passover approached I was so thankful when the opportunity was made available by Arcadia to join a Seder in a nearby synagogue. It was a joy to meet new people whom I already had a connection with. Just like the rest of London's diverse population, I sat down with Jews from all over the world.  Even though I was not surrounded by family members, celebrating Passover in London provided me with a little piece of home.

Where Arcadia has endeavored to create a 'home away from home' for our students, Sarah's words are an appropriate way to draw the curtain on the spring semester.