Meor at Temple University

Dear Students of Meor at Temple University,
Tonight we begin the final two days of the Holiday of Pesach, also known as Shivi’i shel Pesach, a holiday in of itself in which we celebrate what has become the climax of our exodus from Egypt, the splitting of the sea, the moment that we truly became free from our Egyptian bo***ge.
Those of us entrenched in campus life, and indeed for anyone who calls this campus home, have been truly horrified at the events of the past week. We’re living in a time where it feels like the entire world is against us. A time in which wrong has become right, and right has become wrong. The moral compass of society has become shattered, and there seem to be just a small minority that is actually willing to point out that the emperor is in fact not wearing new clothes.
It is truly a scary time, and as always we must look towards the Torah for a message of hope, in a time of true darkness.
Sitting with these thoughts over the last few days, there are two ideas that have jumped out at me more than others.
The first- the final plague before we left Egypt was the death of the firstborn, in which the Torah points out happened in the middle of the night. Redemption always happens in moments followinh the greatest darkness. We’re living through this right now. Embrace the darkness. The light is right around the corner.
Two- After finally leaving the boundaries of a fortified Egypt, and traveling undeterred for a week, our forefathers hit a dead end. The Red Sea in front of them, and what remained of tge Egyptian army shortly behind them. Pursuing them with the hopes of bringing their newly free prisoners back to Egypt. After only days of freedom the Jewish people fell back into darkness. Nowhere to turn to. And then suddenly, the miracle of all miracles, Hashem split the sea. Allowing our forefathers to walk safely through to dry land, and bringing the sea down on what remained of the Egyptians. When it looked like the tide was completely against us, Hashem flexed his commitment to the Jewish people, and Jewish continuity, by going against his commitment to nature by allowing the sea to continue laying as it generally should, at the banks of the river.
What a powerful message going into the end of such a momentous Holiday. A message of hope, a reminder that no matter how dark it may seem, there’s always Someone who has our back, that His commitment to us is so much greater than His commitment to nature, and that our supernatural existence is nothing short of purposeful.
From the River to the Sea, we’ll be here forever, Hashem guarantees.
Next year in Jerusalem! Am Yisroel Chai!
All my love, Rabbi Katz

Enjoy your winter break! Poland in just three weeks and we could not be more excited!! We will see you all soon 😊 happy new year! 🎊

Tonight our Fall 2021 Maimonides class graduated and we could not be more excited for the future!! Thank you Rabbi Katz for an amazing semester and we are so excited to continue our Judaism together ✡️

The last of our photos from Hanukkah!! If anyone has any more pictures that we’re not posted feel free to DM them to us and we will post!!

Some more photos from our Hanukkah party!!

On Wednesday night we hosted our annual Hanukkah party!! Thank you to everyone who attended and we hope you all had a great time! Happy Hanukkah everyone and stay 🕎✡️

"Meor is an absolutely amazing program that has provided many young Jewish people with the opportunity to grow and develop their relationship with judaism. It would mean so much to me if you would consider donating to this company to give other young people like myself the same opportunity.
I have traveled the world with Meor. I have learned so much. I have a relationship with judaism I never thought i would forge. I am still involved today. It is not just a group but a family."
- Elana Tiberi

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