JMSA BRINGS CELEBRATION OF TRADITION TO UNE COM
In April, the Jewish Medical Student Association (JMSA) organized a Passover Seder for the CO Community to celebrate and learn about the Seder and its traditions. Along with the meal, students shared a re-telling of Passover (in English) by reading the Haggadah, a traditional Jewish text. Rituals of the feast were explained within the text, along with the significance of the seder plate, and blessings to be recited. To symbolize the ten plagues unleashed to emancipate the Jewish people from slavery, students adorned themselves with colorful masks, one for each plaque, adding a layer of understanding to the story behind Passover. Approximately 30 students of various faiths came together in celebration of the Seder. Of the holiday, first-year COM student, Hillary Landsman, writes, “Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays and the story speaks to many important themes of social justice, personal freedom, and gratitude that are still extremely relevant today.”
The Jewish Medical Student Association posing at their Sabbat dinner
Left: First year COM students, Rohan Rau and Jesse Peery, celebrate Passover at UNE COM; Right: COM students show off their plague masks during the Seder
The Jewish Medical Student Association (JMSA) celebrated Shabbat on Friday, February 1st. In Judaism, the Shabbat is a day of rest, and recognizes the creation of heaven and earth. Students followed customary Jewish transitions that included candle lighting, blessings, a wonderful potluck dinner with wine and Challah.