DC to Co-Host Passover Seder March 30

Defiance College, St. John United Church of Christ and Sodexo will host a Passover Seder on Tuesday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The dinner will be held in the church hall.

The Passover Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Traditionally, families and friends gather in the evening to read the text of the Haggadah, an ancient work which gives a narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, special blessings and rituals, commentaries from the Talmud, and sing special Passover songs. Passover has special significance for Christians as the Last Supper was in part a Passover Seder.

The Rev. Dr. William R. Nirote, pastor of St. John UCC, will give the welcome and DC President Mark C. Gordon will lead the dinner. This experience is part of Defiance College’s heritage as an institution that welcomes all faiths and offers the entire community opportunities to broaden its cultural experiences and perspectives.

The event will include a series of ritual Jewish foods appropriate to the holiday such as matzah, parsley, charoset, egg and numerous other foods. The symbolic significance of each will be explained. A full dinner will be served.

The event is open to students, members of St. John UCC congregation, and to any interested members of the college and public communities. A free will offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of the meal. Persons interested in attending the dinner can make reservations by calling the St. John UCC office at 419-782-4176 by March 9.

February 12, 2010