Submitted by Ohio University Hillel
The second night of Passover was anything but traditional at Ohio University Hillel this year.
While the first night was replete with Haggadahs, matzoh ball soup, and charoset, the second night (Tuesday, April 23) was a Passover-themed scavenger hunt for the afikomen through downtown Athens, Ohio.
Students were given clues that followed the order of the Seder and then asked to complete a task. They took a photo or video of the “answer” and sent it in by text. If the answer was correct (or close enough), they were given the next clue.
Examples included:
– Seder means order. Go to where every event begins and put the steps of the Seder in order. Answer: Go to the OU Hillel building
– The Passover story is told every year. Now it’s time for you to circle up for story time! Where would you find your favorite books/stories? Answer: Take a photo in front of the college bookstore or the library.
– God sent 10 disruptive plagues to Egypt. One of those plagues was frogs. Take a video of your team playing leapfrog.
– Rabbi Hillel created a delicious Hillel sandwich consisting of matzoh, charoset, and maror. Make your own Hillel sandwich. Answer: Take a “sandwich” photo in front of the OU Hillel sign.
– Why is this night different from all other nights? Go recline and improve your wellness. Answer: Go to the New Wellness Lounge in the OU Hillel building
Nik Robinson, a sophomore from Bexley who is on the current OU Hillel student leadership board and next year’s co-president, came up with the scavenger hunt idea and organized it with the help of fellow student leaders Bella Shapera, a junior from Beachwood, and Talia Horowitz, a senior from Akron. The group won Best Event of the Year for the scavenger hunt during OU Hillel’s annual leadership awards ceremony on April 26.
“We’re so proud to empower our student leaders like Nik, Talia, and Bella to think creatively about Jewish life,” said Executive Director Juli Goodman. “Our students had a great time running around Athens acting out the Seder.”
Leah Yakubov, a sophomore from Beachwood, found the afikomen in the new Wellness Lounge and won dinner from a local restaurant (for after Passover, of course).
