Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

  • Donate now
  • Sign up
  • Connect

    Your Email Address

    Enter your email address to sign up for our newsletter.
  • Donate Now
  • Connect
  • Connect

    Your Email Address

    Enter your email address to sign up for our newsletter.
  • Log In
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • vimeo
 

Danielle Minson — How You Help

Michael Evers, Director of Cincy Internships at Cincinnati Hillel, brought four Maxwell House Haggadot for a student in need, his girlfriend, and two friends to be able to celebrate Passover.
April 13, 2020 | 1 Comment
Tweet
Share118
Share
118 Shares

How You Help: Maxwell House Haggadah Needed

Cincinnati Hillel Helps Isolated Student Celebrate Passover

On the day before Passover began, Michael Evers, Director of Cincy Internships at Cincinnati Hillel, was on a mission, Maxwell House Haggadot in hand. As part of Hillel’s decision to check in on Jewish students to see if Hillel could be of help during the coronavirus pandemic, Evers had checked in with “Max” (a pseudonym to respect privacy). The University of Cincinnati undergraduate had said he personally was fine, but did have a clear need.

Max has a girlfriend who needed to stay in Cincinnati, so instead of returning home—he lives out of state—he had chosen to stay with her. When Max realized that he and his girlfriend would be alone for Passover, he knew he needed two Haggadot, the booklet that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. And soon, it turned out, two more for two additional friends.

“I said of course I would help,” said Evers. Specifically, if possible, Max wanted the Maxwell House Haggadah. With over 55 million in print since since it was first used as a promotion in 1932, it remains the best known and most popular Haggadah among American Jews.

“I think this time of crisis speaks to this: we look out for each other, and we support each other,” said Evers, who himself will be spending Passover with only his girlfriend, and videochatting with other family members.

Michael Evers’s parents dropped the Haggadot off on the hood of his car.

Where did he get the Haggadot from? “I actually got the Haggadot from my parents,” said Evers. “They dropped the Haggadot on the hood of my car! Maintained social distancing.”

“I’m wearing gloves, I’m not going inside; I’m going to be safe,” said Evers. 

Asked how he felt about his self-assigned task, Evers sounded humble but determined: “Our mission [at Hillel] is to give every Jewish student a home away from home. This particular student unfortunately cannot go home at this time, so we’re doing what we do, and helping him feel at home, by getting him what he needs for Passover.”

Evers concluded, “One of the most beautiful things about being a part of the Jewish community—and I think this time of crisis speaks to this—we support each other. I feel honored that I get to be part of a group of people that make that a reality day after day, especially in these trying times.’’ Asked what happened after the dropoff, Evers said the student had texted him and was appreciative and grateful.






Thanks for caring about our community and what we do. 

Stay connected: sign up for our newsletter here.


Tweet
Share118
Share
118 Shares

you might also be interested in:

  • How You Help: Online English Class Offers Much to Russian Speakers
Tweet
Share118
Share
118 Shares

Comments

  1. Steve Zimmerman says:
    April 18, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    This is a wonderful story about Michael Evers caring about the community and helping the UC student’s need for Haggadot for Passover. It’s good to read about the mitzvahs that are being done during this difficult time.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Blog Home
  • Our Bloggers

    Shep Englander Shep Englander is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati...
    Danielle Minson People are what drive Danielle Minson, who has been Chief Development Officer since 2005...
    Jackie Congedo Jackie Congedo is the Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
    Jaynie Levinson Jaynie Levinson works to create networking and engagement opportunities that attract and retain Jewish young adults in Cincinnati.
    Israeli Chronicles Connecting Israel & Cincinnati.
“One of the most beautiful things about being a part of the Jewish community—and I think this time of crisis speaks to this—we support each other."  —Michael Evers

GET LOCAL

  • Community Calendar
  • Community Directory
  • Career Center

RESOURCES

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Create Your Jewish Legacy
  • Jewish Holiday Calendar
  • JCRC Educational Resources
  • PJ Library
  • Online Rules of Conduct

CINCY JOURNEYS

  • Israel Travel Grants
  • Overnight Jewish Camping Grants

CONTACT US

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
8499 Ridge Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

513-985-1500
contact@jfedcin.org

CONNECT

Sign up for updates

Copyright © 2021 Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by FEDWEB ® Central Privacy Policy Terms of Use