Lag Ba’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer count, is traditionally celebrated with bonfires, parades, and other joyous events. Among other things, Lag Ba’Omer marks the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a Roman-era Talmudic sage who instructed his disciples to mark the date as “the day of my joy” rather than in mourning.

Following the the day before, the May 1 celebration in Elon took on additional meaning. After some deliberation, Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz of Chabad at Elon and the Elon Hillel team reached the conclusion that to honor the 45 lives lost at Mt. Meron and in the spirit of Jewish unity, they would forge ahead with the event as scheduled.

According to Betsy Polk, director of Jewish Life and acting associate chaplain, the event was even more poignant as it honored the lives lost. “It’s such a joy when the Jewish community comes together to celebrate and be there for each other in good times and bad,” she said.

The event was held outdoors and consisted of a traditional bonfire, lavish kosher BBQ with vegetarian options, lawn games, music and s’mores.

Noah Levine ‘23, an AEPi brother attended the event and shared that it was a great time with great food. “There were also fun activities to do and it gave me the chance to meet new people.,” he said.

Rivka Minkowitz, Chabad’s rebbetzin and co-Director, said that “as the year winds down, and covid restrictions are eased up, it was so special to see many new and returning faces, coming together under the theme of Jewish unity and having fun together!”

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the U.S just  before the Jewish holiday of Passover, when Jews gather with their family to tell the story of Passover and celebrate the freedom from slavery in Egypt. While some students were able to go home safely to their families this year, many were not able to. Chabad at Elon set out to ensure that all students would be able to safely celebrate and enjoy Passover while being away from home.

Following COVID-19 safety protocols, Chabad hosted approximately 60 students over two nights with two public seders in the backyard of their home in Elon.

The Passover Seders featured the traditional reading of the Haggadah, four cups of wine or grape juice, songs, and a four-course dinner; including home-made kosher brisket.

Jack Knuettel ‘22 attended the first Seder at Chabad and shared, “It was a lot of fun. The Rabbi did a good job of following the COVID-19 guidelines while also having a true Passover Seder. It was a very nice distraction.”

Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz also expressed how satisfied he was with the event. “�þ��� had a great time at the Seders and it truly felt like one big family, singing, laughing, and eating together,” Minkowitz said. “Several students have approached us since then, sharing just how much they enjoyed, and despite COVID-19 and the stress surrounding it, they were able to relax and truly be in the moment.”

Beyond hosting in-person Seders, Chabad also made sure that students who were celebrating Passover elsewhere or were in quarantine at the time were also taken care of.

In addition to distributing Matzah to students, faculty and staff in and around Elon, Chabad shipped over 200 handmade Shmurah Matzah packs and Seder kits to students, alumni and families around the country ahead of Passover. Hana Hofeld ‘22 celebrated with her family off campus with the help of Chabad and says, “Rabbi Mendy provided me with a Passover To-Go kit. His giving me Matzah and Haggadahs allowed my family and I to still have a Seder even though we weren’t home!”

Noah Jordan ‘22 who wanted to celebrate the Seders on his own, also felt grateful for receiving the necessary resources, “Chabad Elon helped me celebrate Passover by delivering me a beautiful Seder Kit right to my door. I am very thankful that they provided me with the resources needed to celebrate.

All in all, through the multi-pronged approach of Chabad, nearly 300 Elon students, alumni and staff were able to celebrate the Passover holiday.