It’s that blessed time of year where we at Wesleyan are given yet another chance to discuss themes of oppression, drink copious amounts of wine, and participate in vegan potlucks. It’s Passover: the festival that commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery.

Central to this lovely breadless festival is the seder, a ritual meal which reenacts and retells the story of said liberation. Growing up I attended the quintessential “liberal Jewish intellectual hippy Seder,” complete with articles about the oppression of migrant workers and “safe spaces” to talk about my own oppression. I also once participated in the two-minute seder, acted out the ten plagues, and told the Passover story in tweet form. I thought I had seen it all when it came to the weird things liberal people do at Seders, and then I came to Wes.

Those ever “quirky’ Wesleyan students (#thisiswhy) certainly make Passover their own. This year Jews and Non Jews a like gathered for official and unofficial Seders complete with solo cups, inclusive language, original songs, costumes, and of course extensive discussion of oppression. Here’s a round-up of a few of these fine ritual meals:

I had the privelege of attending a  meaty but joyful seder led by WesJewCelebs Sydney Hausman-Cohen ’13, Ryan Katz ’13, Sarah Cassel ’13, Zach Steinman ’13, and Daphna Spivack ’13.

The Seder was open to all and guests came from all class years, with some Seder virgins.