Who knew chocolate milk could be kosher for storytelling?

William Paterson’s Hillel Club transformed tradition into a delightful experience with a student-led Passover Seder, on April 17. This innovative event, hosted in the student center, was a warm invitation to students of all backgrounds to come together, learn, laugh, and enjoy the rich traditions of the Jewish calendar.

Forget the bitter herbs you’d usually see, this Seder had a twist. Each component of the traditional Seder plate was playfully reimagined using candies and chocolates. A drumstick-shaped cookie served as the chopped lamb, and a hard-boiled egg was swapped with chocolate-covered coconut bits for the Beitzah. The creativity didn’t stop there: participants toasted with chocolate milk, turning the Four Cups of wine into a Willy Wonka-esque experience.

However, beneath the sweetness, the event was a profound exploration of Jewish identity and resilience. Each participant received a comprehensive handout detailing the 15 steps of the Seder and the significance of each item on the plate. From the story of Exodus to the symbolism of freedom, the event was a deep dive into the ‘retelling of the story of hardships and struggle the Jews faced in their escape from slavery to freedom,’ as one member of the Hillel Club eloquently put it.

The Seder was more than a meal; it was a moment—a pause in the hectic college calendar to honor history, celebrate liberation, and build bridges between cultures. Students who had never attended a Seder before were captivated by the storytelling, the traditions, and of course, the chocolate. 

As the last sips of chocolate milk were raised in symbolic cheers, one thing was clear: at William Paterson, tradition doesn’t have to be ancient to be alive. Sometimes, it just needs a little candy coating.