I grew up in a family best defined as “Reformative,” some hybrid of both Reform and Conservative Judaism, meaning that we kept a modernized Jewish home.

We celebrated the major holidays and kept a lenient style of kosher — set of dietary laws — yet instead of focusing on prayer and attending synagogue, we kept our focus on keeping a sense of Judaism alive in our home and within ourselves.

EDELSTEIN

Often, we enjoyed weekly Shabbat dinners celebrating the end of the Jewish week and observing the day of rest, as a way of strengthening the bonds of our family.

Yet as I grew older and distractions became greater, weekly dinners began to fade.

Now, I try my hardest to come home as frequently as I can to celebrate the holidays, but sometimes I simply cannot.

However, no matter where I may be, I always make sure to gather a crew and observe the occasion. Most Jewish holidays call for a gathering of community — around food, of course.

Whether it be friends, family or even strangers, without the aspect of togetherness, a holiday cannot fully be appreciated; Passover provides no exception.

Although the true meaning of each holiday rests in the stories of old, the emotions evoked fail to warm the soul without a tight-knit community around to share with.

Luckily, Athens has taken me in and has acted as an interim family for times when I simply cannot drive home. Fortunately, for others who are not able to divvy up their time between home and school, this University provides a haven for any and all to come and rejoice all while keeping spirits high and the food flowing.

Tonight marks the beginning of a celebration of freedom. The story of Passover tells the epic tale of the mass exodus of the enslaved Jewish people out of Egypt and into a full life of autonomy.

Jews around the world gather for two nights and commemorate the exodus by reading from the Haggadah, an ancient text which contains the narrative of the long journey out of Egypt, and indulging in a seder, a delicious feast bursting with symbolic edibles.

Starting at 8 tonight and 8:30 tomorrow night, Chabad will offer a free, causal seder for nearly 150 guests (RSVP encouraged at www.jewishdawgs.com/seder).

The seder offers a time for all to enjoy a cozy meal while retelling the story of Passover and indulging in symbolic edibles.

With an array of upcoming tests, I know I can only afford one night at home this year — however I look forward to spending the second night of Passover in Athens with all my dawgs.

— Jordan Edelstein is a sophomore from Johns Creek majoring in marketing