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The Dartmouth
July 18, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Pavilion prepares for Passover holiday

The Pavilion was abuzz with activity today as employees prepared for the dining hall's first full observance of the Passover holiday. Food prepared in accordance with Jewish law will be available at Dartmouth's kosher and halal eatery during the whole of the holiday this year, including Sunday, April 20th.

As part of the holiday, observant Jews will restrict their diet to foods specially prepared for the celebration. Any chametz -- leavened, hydrated food containing wheat, barley, oat, spelt or rye -- must be removed from Jewish meals and homes. Food containing chametz may be eaten before Passover, thrown out, given away or sold to non-Jews.

Yesterday afternoon, DDS employees began the process of preparing the Pavilion kitchen for Passover, called "kashering." Pavilion staff washed down cooking containers to conform to the stricter standards of the holiday and used blow torches to heat larger pots.

The staff's steady progress was clear; kashered cauldrons were taped shut and labeled "kosher" for later use. Leavened products, mostly bread, were also carted out by the dozen for use in non-Kosher dining facilities on campus.

Students interviewed by The Dartmouth praised the College's decision to support Jewish students by observing Passover at the Pavilion.

"I think it's fantastic that the College has made it possible for Jews to keep kosher on Passover," Zachary Rentz '04 said.

Josh Gajer '06, who helped oversee kashering yesterday, described DDS's efforts to accommodate observant Jewish students as "part of a larger pluralistic project which will go far in improving the Jewish community."

Hillel Rabbi Edward Boraz also expressed support for the College's decision. "It will enable Jewish students to eat on campus and not just in the Roth Center," Boraz said. "They will be able to keep kosher in relative ease. This is a first for Dartmouth. It is a statement to increasing efforts for diversity."

The Passover holiday commemorates the birth of the Jewish nation on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. The holiday begins tomorrow night and will continue through April 24th.

Passover specifically celebrates the Jews' exodus from Egypt, led by Moses. Passover is thus considered one of the most important religious festivals of the Jewish calendar.