Competitions and Holidays

[Cory]

I would probably attend, as along as it wasn't as long as a traditional Seder... my family's "Seders" all last a fraction as long as a real one would.

Then again, I'm not even sure if I'm going

[karinka13]

Our team is from a Catholic High School, but we're still going to Drexel over Easter weekend. The only people who seem to have a problem with this are my parents, who will simply have to deal with it because robotics is more important than an extra couple days at the shore. Not to mention Nationals, which are on our school's junior prom. Now I'm not a junior so I really can't speak for them, but I know our driver is going to nats over the prom. I mean come on, who wouldnt?

[indieFan]

I know that Passover fell during Nats in 2001. I also know that I heard that there was a seder that year. I would contact FIRST to see if they have the names of the people that organized this during that year for more information.

I would also contact the area's Hillel groups. Community outreach is a part of most college campus organizations, and not everyone is able to go home during each break. As a result, Hillel might be able to help FIRST with a seder.

indieFan

[Kel D]

FIRST competitions ARE holidays, or they should be at least.

[NumberQ]

One of the major issues with a FIRST seder, is for many Jews the seder is as much about family as it is about Belief in G-d splitting the red sea, and I dont think that bringing my entire family to Atlanta is a reasonable idea.

[Ashley Weed]

Originally Posted by NumberQ

One of the major issues with a FIRST seder, is for many Jews the seder is as much about family as it is about Belief in G-d splitting the red sea, and I dont think that bringing my entire family to Atlanta is a reasonable idea.

It's not out of the question. FIRST for many teams is about family. On our team, many families are fully involved. Every year when I traveled to Nationals/Championship, my whole family went along.

[RoboMom]

Out to the teams soon re: Championship seder.

>>
A mini-Seder is being planned at the FIRST Championship on Sat. April 23, 2005 from 6-7pm (after the closing ceremonies and awards.) Although FIRST is assisting us by providing space, this event will be organized and led by a group of volunteers from the FIRST community. This Seder will last up to an hour and will allow team members to then walk over to the all-team social. It will not include a dinner, but will include all the ritual foods and elements of a Seder including reading from the Haggadah, the Seder plate, the four questions and singing. We may need to charge $5-10, to be collected at the door, depending on numbers attending and on donations. Those desiring a more traditional Seder will be referred to local families.
If anyone on your team is interested in attending this mini-Seder, please send your team number, names, and email to jbeatty@usfirst.org before April 5, 2005. <<

[Liz C]

Originally Posted by karinka13

Now I'm not a junior so I really can't speak for them, but I know our driver is going to nats over the prom. I mean come on, who wouldnt?

Yeah, and the Saturday of the Philly regional was on our 2nd driver's birthday... what inconveniences

In all seriousness, I think there were a few turned heads about going on easter weekend. It is difficult to focus on the outside world when a 3-day competition is going on. (and I must admit, I felt the urge to wake up at 5 in the morning on Easter and head out to Drexel...)

[dubious elise]

BMR was the weekend of Palm Sunday, unfortunately, I could not attend mass with my parents the next morning at 7:15 (for fairly obvious reasons, we got home at about 11:30...or maybe it was 10:30, I don't rightly remember anymore. Cursed time zones...) The next weekend, however, our team was very lucky to be able to return home from MWR by about 8 p.m. Saturday so that we all could get a good nights rest and attend Easter services (if that was an obligation for their family). And finally, Nationals fell right over the weekend of my confirmation . Luckily, my pastor is willing to move the date to some time in May. Nonetheless, I have to agree that the dates this year have been awful. Spring break and Easter fell much too early for my comfort