Passover, Elegant Brunches Conflict

Two Harvard traditions, the senior brunch and the "elegant" house brunches, have run into conflict with Passover, leading to widespread criticism from students.

This Sunday is the date of all events, preventing some students whose diets are restricted because of the holiday from attending the brunches.

Diane Jellis, associate director for classes and reunions, who scheduled the senior brunch said that lack of communication was partially the reason for the scheduling problem, but that the decision lay with her office.

"We rely on the individuals we were working with last summer to let us know when we set the date, and that didn't happen," Jellis said, alluding to dining services. "This office will take full responsibility for the fact that it falls on Passover."

Robert J. Leandro, assistant director for house dining, said that scheduling was ultimately in the hands of the alumni office.

"The way I understand it to be is that the senior brunch is set by Diane Jellis of the Alumni Association," he said.

The senior brunch takes place in Annenberg Hall, so dining services chooses to put the "elegant" house brunches on the same day, as a chance for first-years to see the splendors of their new houses for the first time.

But many Jewish first-years will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity, because Passover food will not be served in the houses.

"I want to go, I want to be active in house life, but I can't go because I can't eat," said Tammy A. Hepps '00. "It's a very unfriendly welcome."

Jerald M. Korn '00, who is a rising sophomore in Adams House said that the conflict does not reflect well on Harvard.

"It gives the impression that the College doesn't care that those who observe Passover will have a more difficult time meeting people in the house," Korn said.

But some students observing Passover said that it would be unreasonable to ask the University to schedule around religious holidays.

"You can't hold it against the University," said Ari Vander Walde '00. "It would be nice [if they didn't schedule it on Passover] but it is not their responsibility."

Although the problem for first-years observing Passover continues to linger, a solution for the senior brunch has been devised by seniors working in conjunction with the dining services.

Dov P. Grossman '97, a senior in Eliot House and a Crimson editor, contacted his house representative Daniel J. Kolodner '97 a few weeks ago about the problem.

Kolodner, together with Dunster representative Daniel I. Silverberg '97 and Joshua D. Fine '97 from Hillel, informed Jellis of the situation.

"I hope you'll believe me when I say we try very hard to avoid this type of error every year, and every year it seems we goof with one event or another," Jellis wrote. "I take full responsibility and will work toward making it right."

Since then, arrangements have been made for students observing Passover to be served a separate meal at the senior brunch.

The meal will be catered by the same service that sponsors Hillel's seders, according to Angelo Dalla Santa, the customer services manager for Loker Commons, who also oversees Passover dinner at Hillel.

Approximately 85 seniors have signed up for the meal, which will be prepared on a separate table using separate utensils, according to Kolodner.

"I can't stress enough how helpful people have been since they realized that this need existed," Kolodner said.

Fine said he was happy that the arrangements meant he wouldn't miss the event.

"The reason you don't want to miss the senior brunch is that everyone gets together...nice to have a last chance to shmooze with the other seniors," Fine said

The meal will be catered by the same service that sponsors Hillel's seders, according to Angelo Dalla Santa, the customer services manager for Loker Commons, who also oversees Passover dinner at Hillel.

Approximately 85 seniors have signed up for the meal, which will be prepared on a separate table using separate utensils, according to Kolodner.

"I can't stress enough how helpful people have been since they realized that this need existed," Kolodner said.

Fine said he was happy that the arrangements meant he wouldn't miss the event.

"The reason you don't want to miss the senior brunch is that everyone gets together...nice to have a last chance to shmooze with the other seniors," Fine said