Courtesy of Hillel Ohio University.
Matzah Ball on April 2 in Athens, OH. Left to right: Emma Friedman, Lexy Rudd (Maineville, OH), Maya Kirzner (Mason, OH) and Sammie Lashley (Cincinnati, OH)
Submitted by Ohio University Hillel
Ohio University (OU) Hillel celebrated Passover this year with old and new traditions: matzah ball soup and a Matzah Ball.
The inaugural Matzah Ball, a semi-formal party and fundraiser, was held on April 2 at a local Jewish-owned restaurant in Athens. Hosted by OU Hillel and the AEPi Fraternity, the free event was attended by 75 students and raised money for Repair the World, The Trevor Project, Doctors Without Borders and local non-profit Passion Works Studio.
The event was conceived, planned and coordinated by the OU Hillel Student Leadership Board. “It was a collaborative idea,” said Nik Robinson, co-president of the student board and a junior from Bexley, Ohio. “We had a lot of fun coming up with the name and planning and hosting the event. It was a huge success.”
On the first night of Passover, students gathered at Hillel for a communal Passover seder and a meal, featuring matzah ball soup of course. For the second night, Hillel offered “Seders-to-Go.” Two Hillel student leaders and an AEPi member picked up Haggadahs, food and even chairs to host their own small group Passover seders.
“Our student board is very creative and has a lot of energy around creating meaningful but fun Jewish events for student at OU and the Athens community,” said OU Hillel Executive Director Juli Goodman. “It’s so great to see Jewish students celebrating the holidays together in their home away from home.”
