FOR WHO: Spring 2019
WHY: This news release was written for my Media Writing class.
WHAT: I wrote this mock news release about a upcoming Passover Seder event hosted by Hillel on my campus.
For release April 5
Contact: Julie Levine
jlevine8@elon.edu
Elon University Hillel to host Passover Seder
The dinner will celebrate the theme of "gratitude" with Jewish song, food and tradition
ELON, N.C.– Elon Hillel, a student-run Jewish organization at Elon University, will host a Passover dinner Friday, April 19. Attendees will gather at Elon Community Church, 217 N. Williamson Ave., at 5:30 p.m. for the event. Hillel welcomes the entire community, Jewish or not, to attend the celebration of the annual holiday. Those hoping to attend the event must purchase tickets in advance on the Elon Hillel webpage.
Passover celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The theme of the Hillel Passover Seder is gratitude for the freedom and bounty Jews have after escaping enslavement. The gathering will feature traditions that are both familiar and new, following the traditional steps and prayers of a Seder intertwined with food and song. Rabbi Sandra Lawson, associate chaplain for Jewish life at Elon, has collaborated with student leaders to create a musical approach to the traditional Seder observance.
Over 100 students and community members attended Hillel’s Seder last year. The organization is pushing for a similar turnout this year.
Melissa Horowitz is a junior at Elon and the co-president of Elon Hillel student board. She is excited for the Seder as it is an opportunity to be a part of a great community. “We will be having a fun prayer book and homemade matzah balls, which I think is unique for such a large gathering,” she said.
The campus organization has decided to donate 10% of its proceeds over the cost of the Seder to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The Food Bank combats food insecurity in 18 counties in the northwest North Carolina region.
Hillary Zaken, the assistant director for Jewish life and strategic communications, is proud of the contribution Hillel will be making.
"As we join together to mark our communal journey from slavery to freedom, we will keep in mind those for whom slavery is still a reality, and for whom sitting at a table laden with food is a dream.”
Elon University Hillel is a student-operated and staff-mentored Jewish organization that offers programing to students of all backgrounds. The organization is based out of the Sklut Hillel Center and has been on Elon’s campus for six years. Elon Hillel offers social, cultural, educational, religious and community service events that can be followed through its Facebook page.
Page photo credit to @elonhillel via Twitter