Hillel Draws Student, Local Crowds for Holiday Meals

Hillel's serving and students are flocking to the tastes of brisket, matzah and tsimis--a mix of sweet potatoes, carrots and prunes--like never before. Staff at the student center said they expect to serve 3,000 meals this Passover, and the seats are filling up fast.

"We probably expected a little less" of a turnout, said Michael M. Rosen '99, who is chair of Hillel and also a Crimson editor. "It's created some confusion with the kitchen."

Although some have noticed an increase in the number of non-student visitors, Rosen said community members often attend Hillel kosher meals and that their numbers have not significantly increased this season. He also said that the campus organization welcomes all extra visitors--despite the slight crowding.

"It's a great chance for people to get acquainted with Hillel," he said.

Rosen said Hillel posted flyers and put table tents in its eating area to inform guests of Hillel's upcoming activities. Several posters explaining the biblical significance of Passover were also placed near the eternal meal line.

Lines may have resulted more from meal restrictions than the desire to share in festive holiday spirit, however. Many students dining at Hillel last night said that Passover observance prohibited them from eating in the dining halls, where food is not prepared according to the holiday's regulations.

But some of the large crowd of Passover diners came simply to socialize, sharing in the holiday activity, if not the faith.

Theresa M. Robertson '99 is not Jewish, but she said she ate kosher for Passover dinner at Hillel last night because her roommate needed "a conversation partner."

"It's really hard for my roommate to eat in the dining hall [because of the holiday]," she said, "and you just don't want to wander around [Hillel] and not know anyone."

Robertson's roommate, Daryn David '99, agreed that a lack of kosher food in Winthrop dining hall drove her to Hillel.

"This is my second Passover meal at Hillel--lunch being my first," David said at dinner last night. "I was dwindling away off the food in the dining hall."

Joel B. Pollak '99 said he eats at Hillel frequently, primarily because he enjoys the food.

"Sunday night at Hillel is the best kept secret at Harvard--if you're not a vegetarian," Pollak said.

Pollak, who is an avid meat-eater, said Hillel serves "the best hamburgers at Harvard."

Rosen said Hillel's holiday meals were offered to accommodate students who, like David, are left unsatisfied by dining hall fare.

"We're glad to absorb whoever can't make do in the dining halls," he said.

Rosen said the dining halls did not prepare kosher for Passover food because of the tremendous time and effort it requires.

"Hillel takes the five days before Passover to prepare," he said. "We shut down the kitchen for those days."