For many students, the last day of classes is full of stress and relief. But most Jewish students may face additional conflicts today since it also marks the first day of the Passover holiday.
Hillel Rabbi Rich Kirschen said the current University policy requires that students tell their professors if there is a conflict in order to make other arrangements to take exams.
"It is very difficult for most people," Kirschen said. "We worked out a policy if a student has a religious conflict and if the student gives sufficient notice they can take an alternate test. The professor cannot say 'too bad.'"
Kirschen said Hillel is doing its best to accommodate Jewish students during the holiday.
"There will be around 200 people attending tonight and over 100 for the seder tomorrow night," Kirschen said.
LSA first-year student Nicole Rushovich said the clash between classes and Passover puts her in a difficult position.
"I feel I will not be able to take as much time to study as I normally would like to," Rushovich said.
Psychology Prof. Charles Behling is giving a final exam today, but he said students who have religious conflicts could make up the test during three alternate times.
"Certainly this is an inconvenience for students with religious conflict," Behling said. "It is very unfortunate the last day of classes is on the first day of Passover."
Behling said 72 students chose to reschedule their Psychology 111 final because of the holiday.
"I, myself, am not Jewish, but I would be happy if all cultural observances were equally easy to observe," Behling said. "Certain cultures do have a more difficult time of celebrating their cultural events."
Passover marks the time when Jews worldwide celebrate their freedom from Egyptian slavery and reaffirm their Jewish national identity. The sedar, meaning "order," is the main event of the Passover holiday. The Hebrew name signifies the way the first and second meal is given in a special order.
Rushovich said Jewish students have the added stress of going to sedars and having to study for their finals the next day.
"Students spend a long time at sedars, and the next day they have to get up and take an exam," Rushovich said.
LSA sophomore Aaron Starr said he is looking forward to going home for the holiday.
"It will be a nice holiday, spending time with my family," Starr said. "I will keep Passover. The dorms make it fairly easy to."
In addition to the time restraints, Jewish students celebrating the holiday are restricted from eating foods made with yeast.
Starr said the conflict between the last day of classes and the first day of Passover is an unavoidable problem.
"Passover happens when it happens, and classes end when classes end," Starr said. "The problem is the University can't accommodate everyone."
Starr said Hillel offers many options to help make observing Passover more convenient.
"Hillel offers many available options for students, like sedars," Starr said. "Passover is a good chance for everyone to appreciate normal, every day food."
ADDIE SMITH/Daily
Ari Nisman takes part in a Sedar dinner sponsored by the University Half Shekel campaign. He is dipping his finger in wine to symbolize the 10 plagues.