Largest Passover Seder in North America to be held at the O’Connell Center for the first time

Press release from Chabad UF Jewish Student & Community Center

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In celebration of Passover, over 1,000 UF students, faculty, and community residents are expected to join at the largest single-sitting Passover Seder in North America, for the first time ever, at the UF O’Connell Center–Exactech Arena.

The Seder will be celebrated with the eating of hand-made Shmura Matza, in commemoration of the Jewish Exodus from Egypt over 3,300 years ago. The Passover Seder will take place on Monday, April 22, 2024; doors open at 6:00 p.m.

“All Jews, regardless of affiliation, religious background, or level of observance are invited. Based on past years’ attendance and the proximity to finals, Chabad UF is expecting and preparing for 1,000+ participants at the Seder. This year, with the rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments, Jewish people are feeling more connected to each other and to their religion. What better way to come together than at the Seder, when we commemorate the miraculous survival and resilience of the Jewish people that began with the exodus from Egypt and continues to this day”, said Rabbi Berl Goldman, Director of Chabad UF.

The Passover evening and Seders will relive the historical events, replete with the Mah Nish Tanah, story of the exodus, traditional hand-made Matzah, four cups, lively dialogue, and a Kosher for Passover meal complete with hot Matzah ball soup and savory brisket. This interactive Seder is sure to provide an inviting atmosphere of warmth and acceptance.

“The Seder is traditionally family time, and for thousands of UF and SFC students who can’t go home especially around spring semester finals, being with Chabad UF is like celebrating Passover with family, and we are inviting everyone to come and participate. Especially this year when the Jewish people have been facing so much tribulation, the feeling of unity is strong and will be palpable as young and old, students, and community enjoy a traditional Seder together,” said Mrs. Chanie Goldman, Co-Director of the Center.

Passover is when the Jewish people became a nation, and the Seder is an anchor that has helped keep Judaism alive for thousands of years, thus it has great significance to individuals and to the Jewish nation, even more so now when Jewish survival is being threatened. Rabbi Berl Goldman, director of the Center, is inviting anyone who would like to participate in a Seder to join. “Passover inspires and empowers us to liberate ourselves and look beyond the unimportant things in life and focus on our families and others in need, the things in life that truly matter. This is such an important time for Jewish people to celebrate together proudly and resolutely.”

The Passover Seder will take place on April 22, and the doors will open at 6:00 p.m. at the UF O’Connell Center–Exactech Arena. For the full Passover schedule, further information on the above event, to RSVP, or if you have any questions related to Passover, please visit www.PassoverUF.com or call (352)336-5877.

*About Passover – Each year on Passover, (“Pesach” in Hebrew) we recount the humble birth of the Jewish nation. Forged out of the harshest slavery, we were redeemed from corrupt Ancient Egypt through G-d’s open miracles. In powerful Egypt, the Jews prospered until forced by their jealous hosts into slavery. Egyptian barbarism increased until king Pharaoh decreed that every male child born be drowned! One child saved, Moshe (Moses), emerged as the agent of our redemption – bringing the Divine call to worship, promising freedom. Pharaoh’s stubbornness incited ten miraculous plagues to G-d’s omnipotence on the idolatrous Egyptians. Finally, He smote their first-born, “Passing over” the Jewish homes. The Jews marched out, only to be trapped by the Egyptians and the Red Sea; but G-d parted its waters and they passed to freedom. But this is not just an epic tale: Passover is the “Time of our Freedom” and in every generation, the Passover season brings with it a new liberation. Its highlight is the Seder, with colorful, tasty symbolism – Matzah, Four Cups, Bitter Herbs – that brings to life the power and the wonder of the Exodus, as we discover anew the freedom that is ours to bring to the world.