PROVO — In a place where most kids learn about the Jewish Passover from watching Charlton Heston in the movie: "The Ten Commandments," the holiday and the traditional Seder dinner that goes along with it is becoming a bigger hit every year.
It's been 33 years since Brigham Young University religion professor Victor Ludlow accommodated his student's request for a Seder service experience.
Since that time the celebration of Passover at Brigham Young University has included not only members of the student body, but people from the community at large.
"We will serve nearly 900 by the time the dinners are over," said Patty Smith, a supervisor in the religious education faculty support offices. Smith has assisted Ludlow since 1989. This year Ludlow is spending Passover teaching at BYU/Hawaii so professor Jeffrey Chadwick is carrying on the tradition.
While there are few Jewish students at BYU, several years ago the Marriott School of Business held a national conference during Passover. Some of those attending were Jewish and asked if they could come to the Seder services. A number said they learned more about the Passover that night than during their childhoods, Smith said.
The purpose is not to serve a strictly kosher dinner but to serve up an educational opportunity. "It is not a kosher Seder but a simulated service and instruction time," Chadwick said. Chadwick will follow Ludlow's Haggadah (script) to make the dinner more meaningful and help those attending understand the symbolism.
Call Patty Smith at 422-3611 for a reservation.
E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com