Jewish students across the University of Kansas are celebrating and observing Passover with free lunches from KU Hillel and KU Chabad.

Jonah Kahn | [email protected]

The holiday began on April 12, and is the retelling of the Jewish people fleeing enslavement in ancient Egypt.

When leaving Egypt, bread did not have time to rise, resulting in matzah. This is why all leavened breads and some other foods are avoided during the seven or eight-day holiday.

At KU, on-campus food options are extremely limited for what students can eat. Jewish students heavily rely on KU Hillel and KU Chabad for Kosher for Passover snacks and meals. 

“So you get a free lunch once a day,” Shabbat and Holiday Experiences Intern Evyn Gadd said. “Even, like, outside of their scheduled meal times, you can come and get something kosher for passover, cause I know, my classes are throughout the entire time of kosher for passover lunch, so I’ll show up later.” 

Lawrence grocery stores have some Kosher for Passover options, but Hillel and Chabad have additional food. 

No matter how strict a student is with their traditions and how they observe the holiday, Hillel and Chabad are their to help and support students keep the holiday in a way that matters most to them. 

“Everyone’s different, some people will celebrate for seven days, some people will celebrate for eight days,” Hillel Assistant Director Ben Davis said. “Some people will keep Passover at home and not out, some people will keep it completely, some will look for the hechsher, some people don’t care. It really varies and kinda of what we tell students is whatever is meaningful for you, that’s what’s important.”

Gadd shared that during her freshman year, living on campus made it hard to keep Passover with limited dining options. She relied heavily on Hillel to keep her holiday traditions. 

Now, as a sophomore living in an apartment, she finds it easier but still relies on Hillel for some help. 

Chabad and Hillel also provide seders, a service and meal on the first two nights of the holiday, for students who cannot travel home to celebrate with family. For more information, visit jewishku.com or kuhillel.org.