Passover is a time of celebration and sadness for Jews as they commemorate their ancestors' exodus from Egypt.

        But for students attending Passover seder at Hillel House on the University of Cincinnati's campus Wednesday, pain outweighed joy as some learned for the first time of the suicide bombing Wednesday in Netanya, Israel.

Jill Schiffman and Brad Kleinman greet each other at a Passover seder at the Hillel House on the University of Cincinnati campus. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        “Tonight is such a sacred night that to have a bombing today is just devastating,” said Leslie Frank, a UC grad student who joined about 30 of her peers at Hillel for seder, the ritual evening meal that ushers in Passover.

        The attack Wednesday was the third suicide attack in Israel in the past two weeks and added to the continuing escalation of violence in the Middle East.

        “It's just history repeating itself,” said Cameron Baer, a UC freshman who expressed resignation toward the violence. “It angers me. But what else can I say?”

        Rabbi Abie Ingber, who presided over the seder, said he believes the bombing Wednesday was purposely orchestrated to coincide with the first day of Passover.

        “To come and stand at the entrance to our community as people are coming in for seder and blow us to bits,” he said, “that's off the charts, no matter who is responsible.”

        Jessica Brown, a junior, said the events made it hard for her to remain optimistic about peace in the Middle East.

        “With everything that's happened, it's very difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Ms. Brown said.

        This year's seder at Hillel also served as a memorial for the victims of Sept. 11.

        There was an extra place setting at the seder table draped with an American flag and Jewish flag in memory of those who perished in the terrorist attacks.

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