Ohr Torah Stone | Features | Newsletter May 2001

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SEDER IS MODEL FOR CAMPUS PROGRAMS

With Ma Nishtana asked in a variety of languages, symbols of the 10 plagues distributed in sandwich bags, and the Exodus story acted out by participants in the styles of a Broadway show and a kung-fu movie, the model seder attended by overseas students at the Hebrew University was a far cry from the uninspired ritual that unaffiliated Jewish college students might expect a seder to be. "Our goal was to get people interested in Pesach via the seder activities," explains Yael Harari, 18, one of 14 Midreshet Lindenbaum students who are the first female participants in Ohr Torah Stone's Netzach-Steinhardt Fellowships program. The women, who organized the model seder, will continue their creative and appealing approach to Jewish education and heritage when they reach their college campuses across the U.S. in the fall.

Hands-on practice: Steinhardt fellow
Ilana Waxman illustrates one of the
ten plagues

Initiated three years ago, the Steinhardt Program prepares outstanding Ohr Torah Stone students for informal campus outreach work with their fellow Jewish students. Based on the success of its first two groups of Fellows -- young men from Yeshivat Hamivtar-Orot Lev who are now spearheading outreach programs in conjunction with Hillel at Yale, Brandeis and other universities - this year's Steinhardt program is taking place at Midreshet Lindenbaum.

Getting Everyone Involved

According to Steinhardt directors Rivky and Josh Ross, Lindenbaum participants in the Steinhardt program devote one morning and one evening a week to workshops focusing on interpersonal skills, group communication ability, running a dynamic study session, organizing activities and compiling source material. Prior to organizing the model seder, the Steinhardt participants produced an original sourcebook for Tu B'Shevat.

"We worked for a full month to plan a traditional seder with interactive, fun activities built into its framework. From the feedback we've received, it's clear this approach really appeals to students," says Harari, who will attend Columbia University in September. "The model seder gave us hands-on practice for the things we'd like to do in the future."

"I'd always planned to be active on campus, and the Steinhardt program is giving me a good opportunity to gain the skills I'll need," adds Shuli Berman, 18, who will study at the University of Maryland. "We're learning how to communicate with people, how to get our point across, how to lead discussions and how to create activities.

"I'm looking forward to working next year to increase Jewish identity and awareness among students. I hope to help build a community on campus where everyone will feel comfortable and involved."

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