2008 Woodie Awards
Yeshiva Students Visit Montreal for Purim
Elyasaf Schwartz
Issue date: 4/18/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Within a half a day of its debut, the sign up sheet for the Moroccan Club's Purim visit to Montreal was filled to capacity; 50 students from the Wilf and Beren campuses were ready for the arduous bus ride across the border. The trip, more of an effort by the broader Sephardic community, but sponsored by Yeshiva Student Union's (YSU) Moroccan Club, left Yeshiva campuses Wednesday evening, March 23, and returned Sunday, March 27.
"Our goal is to reach out to Sephardic communities in the US and Canada, and to bring YU to those communities," said Rabbi Yamin Levy, Academic Director of Sephardic Studies Program.
Recalling Montreal's Sephardic community leaders' visit to Yeshiva in October, Rabbi Levy felt the trip "was a follow-up to strengthen that relationship."
Mickael Knafo, president of the Moroccan Club, echoed Rabbi Levy's sentiments, and noted the club's intention to visit a variety of Sephardic communities during the upcoming years, mentioning locations such as Miami and California.
Citing the diversity of the attendees, however, Knafo attributed an additional goal to the four day excursion to the Sephardic community of Montreal. "The purpose of the trip was to spend Purim within a Sephardic community and to share our customs with YU students." That, Knafo explained, reflects one of the major goals of the Moroccan Club in general, "to share our culture with people who don't know about it."
The offer was well-received, as a number of Ashkenazic students attended, but more were turned down because of limited space. Moshe Frances, YC '06, himself Sephardic but not Moroccan, commented on the cultural dynamic at Yeshiva. "YU students tend to alienate themselves from students with differing cultural backgrounds. I broke the ice when I traveled with the Moroccan clique to Montreal, and boy did I have a good time."
The students arrived weary on Thursday morning, which they took advantage of, sleeping through most of the Fast of Esther. After Megillah reading later that night, they broke their fasts, and danced and sang, celebrating the Purim miracle of ancient Persia. "The Purim spirit lasted through Shabbat," gushed one attendee. "It seemed like the Sephardic community in Montreal was really happy to host us."
On Saturday night, disco bowling, though not quite Sephardic in nature, seemed to be the night activity of choice for most students, while others explored the nightlife of the City of Festivals. With the help of some local members of the community, Knafo and his co-president, Claudia Amzallag, organized a tour of Montreal on Sunday morning.
While the event was probably the last of the year for the Moroccan Club, it left the students thirsting for more. "I can't wait for the next event," an audibly excited Frances stated. "Disco bowling was a blast, but the beautiful Sephardic zemirot sung over Shabbat really left a spiritual imprint on everyone."
"Our goal is to reach out to Sephardic communities in the US and Canada, and to bring YU to those communities," said Rabbi Yamin Levy, Academic Director of Sephardic Studies Program.
Recalling Montreal's Sephardic community leaders' visit to Yeshiva in October, Rabbi Levy felt the trip "was a follow-up to strengthen that relationship."
Mickael Knafo, president of the Moroccan Club, echoed Rabbi Levy's sentiments, and noted the club's intention to visit a variety of Sephardic communities during the upcoming years, mentioning locations such as Miami and California.
Citing the diversity of the attendees, however, Knafo attributed an additional goal to the four day excursion to the Sephardic community of Montreal. "The purpose of the trip was to spend Purim within a Sephardic community and to share our customs with YU students." That, Knafo explained, reflects one of the major goals of the Moroccan Club in general, "to share our culture with people who don't know about it."
The offer was well-received, as a number of Ashkenazic students attended, but more were turned down because of limited space. Moshe Frances, YC '06, himself Sephardic but not Moroccan, commented on the cultural dynamic at Yeshiva. "YU students tend to alienate themselves from students with differing cultural backgrounds. I broke the ice when I traveled with the Moroccan clique to Montreal, and boy did I have a good time."
The students arrived weary on Thursday morning, which they took advantage of, sleeping through most of the Fast of Esther. After Megillah reading later that night, they broke their fasts, and danced and sang, celebrating the Purim miracle of ancient Persia. "The Purim spirit lasted through Shabbat," gushed one attendee. "It seemed like the Sephardic community in Montreal was really happy to host us."
On Saturday night, disco bowling, though not quite Sephardic in nature, seemed to be the night activity of choice for most students, while others explored the nightlife of the City of Festivals. With the help of some local members of the community, Knafo and his co-president, Claudia Amzallag, organized a tour of Montreal on Sunday morning.
While the event was probably the last of the year for the Moroccan Club, it left the students thirsting for more. "I can't wait for the next event," an audibly excited Frances stated. "Disco bowling was a blast, but the beautiful Sephardic zemirot sung over Shabbat really left a spiritual imprint on everyone."