Candle Lighting times for C-U



Friday, April 11 | Light Shabbat Candles 7:10 pm

Saturday April 12 | Shabbat Ends |8:11 pm



Not in C-U? Click here to find your Candle Lighting Times

During our Passover Seder, we encounter a profound ritual that speaks to the heart of the human condition. During the Yachatz, or the breaking of the middle matzah, we take a whole matzah, fracture it in two uneven pieces, and then hide the larger piece—the afikoman—to be discovered at the conclusion of the seder. Why would our tradition, which so passionately emphasizes making things whole and repairing our broken world, deliberately incorporate an act of breaking into our Passover meal? What deeper truth lies concealed within this ancient ritual?

The Rebbe gives a fascinating answer. When we break the matzah, the smaller piece symbolizes our brokenness—our wounds, our limitations, and our suffering. Meanwhile, the larger piece—the afikoman—represents a state of divine perfection that will come with our future redemption.

During the Seder, We keep the smaller piece of Matzah, representing our brokenness, visible on the table as we tell the story of the Exodus. The larger piece, representing our divine metaphysical perfection, is hidden throughout the seder until it is discovered later and consumed at the conclusion of the meal.

The wisdom here is profound. In our age of social media, where everyone shows the world an image of effortless perfection, the truth is that nestled within each of us is a broken piece of matzah. No one on this earth is truly complete, and this Yachatz ritual teaches us humility, to acknowledge that we all are broken inside and that no one is picture perfect. 

When we speak of “freedom” and “liberation” at the Seder, we are not speaking of a freedom from our wounds and imperfections, but by the freedom that comes from embracing them. Mitzrayim in Hebrew means Egypt, and it shares the letters with the word “Meitzarim” which means our confines or our limitations. 

Each of us has a personal “Egypt”, something which confines and oppresses us. Passover teaches us that constraints and problems are not an accident, a fluke, or a deviation from G-d’s plan. Rather, they are an essential part of this plan and what it means to be human. As stated in the Psalms, Min hameitzar karati Kah, anani bamerchav kah— from a narrow place I called out to G-d, and he answered me with expansion." Just how G-d redeemed the Israelites at their spiritual low point – their “rock bottom” – he also sees and loves us in the depths of our sorrow, our pain, and our brokenness. It is precisely through the darkness and brokenness that our light and completion emerge.

On Passover, we are invited to embrace both “pieces of the matzah” in our lives—to honor our pains and struggles while kindling faith in future redemption. Just as in the covenant that Avraham sealed with G-d, where animals were divided in half as part of the divine pact with humanity, G-d doesn’t expect us wholeness from us. Our brokenness is not a mistake to be corrected, but part of a greater picture that encompasses both suffering and redemption, transgression and forgiveness, fragmentation and ultimate restoration.

May this Passover bring inner healing to all that lies broken within us and our fractured world. May we come one step closer to the ultimate redemption, when the words "next year in Jerusalem" will no longer be a hope or a wish, but be fulfilled in actuality.

In honor of Purim give extra Tzedakah to support Illini Chabad

Question of the Week

I find it strange that the three matzot on the Seder plate represent the Cohen, the Levi and the Israelite. I know these are the three main tribal groups of the Jewish people, but what has that got to do with the Exodus?

Answer

The three matzot don't represent just any Cohen, Levi, or Israelite. They stand for three specific characters, who each played a central role in the Exodus.

They are none other than the three great siblings, Aaron, Moses and Miriam.

The top Matzah is the Cohen, representing the father of all Cohanim, Aaron. He was born a Levite, but was upgraded to a Cohen. 

The middle Matzah is the Levi, representing Moses himself, who was born from a Levite father and a Levite mother. 

And the bottom Matzah is the Israelite, standing for Miriam, who married an Israelite and joined his tribe. 

Aaron was Moses’ older brother, whom he looked up to. So the Cohen Matzah is on the top.

Miriam was the older sister who watched over baby Moses as he floated on the Nile River, and so her Matzah is on the bottom holding up Moses, the middle Matzah.

Moses is the central figure of the Exodus. That’s why his Matzah is the middle one, and it gets the most attention. We break it in two, then recite the Haggadah over the smaller part, and hide away the bigger part as the Afikoman for the end of the Seder. 

This is reflective of Moses himself, who was hidden away at birth. The Egyptians were killing Jewish baby boys, so Moses’ mother concealed him to save his life. The word the Torah uses for hiding is “Vatitzpenehu” - the same word we use for the hidden Matzah at the Seder - “Tzafun.”

More than that, our sages taught that just as Moses took us out of Egypt, so will his soul come back in the form of Moshiach to redeem us again. The smaller Matzah represents the redemption from Egypt, while the hidden larger Matzah is a bigger event, the future coming of Moshiach.

So we have Aaron, Moses and Miriam at our Seder table. We will meet them again, when we finally find the big hidden piece of Matzah of the final redemption.

Good Shabbos, Good Yomtov and a joyous Pesach!



What a Week at Illini Chabad!

This past week was packed with energy, excitement, and unforgettable moments here at Illini Chabad!

We kicked things off with Mom’s Weekend, welcoming so many wonderful guests to campus. It was heartwarming to see students and their families come together to celebrate and enjoy meaningful time at Chabad. There was laughter, love, and lots of food!

As the week progressed, the preparations for Passover kicked into high gear. Our building buzzed with activity as shipments of supplies rolled in—including pallets of Shmura Matza, signaling that the holiday is just around the corner!

On Tuesday, we were honored as the City of Champaign, led by Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, and the City of Urbana, led by Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin, officially proclaimed April 9, 2025, as Education and Sharing Day—recognizing the importance of values-based education and community service. A powerful reminder of the impact one life can have.

Wednesday brought even more excitement. We had the privilege of hosting Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, for an inspiring visit with our students and university leadership. His insights, warmth, and encouragement left a deep impression on everyone present.

Later that day, we headed to Springfield to join Governor JB Pritzker and the First Lady for a pre-Passover Seder—a meaningful gathering celebrating the values of freedom, tradition, and community.

Now, with hearts full and tables set, we are ready for the grand adventure of Passover to begin!

Wishing everyone a Chag Sameach from your Illini Chabad family! 

Why Is Matzah on Passover Different From Matzah on Any Other Night?

By Tzvi Freeman

Any other time of the year, it’s just a cracker. Eat it on the night of Passover, and it nourishes your soul.

Because, in truth, all food feeds not only the body, but the soul as well.

That’s because, like everything else, food is a divine creation. It is sustained by a constant flow of energy from its Maker. When we consume food, we metabolize that divine energy and live from it.

The kind of food-energy we consume and the way we consume it has a lot to do with kind of person we become and the kind of life we end up living.

If we eat foods sustained by energy hopelessly distorted, corrupted, and disconnected from its origin, they pull us down with them and it becomes harder for us to keep in touch with our own soul. These are the foods that are not kosher.

But then, even the energy of kosher food needs to be reconnected to its origin. And we do that by investing whatever energy we’ve gained from this food into G‑dly deeds--a.k.a. mitzvahs.

Matzah on Passover is the exception. On the night of Passover, it’s not just a mitzvah to eat matzah; the matzah itself is a mitzvah. It’s already intimately connected with its source.

So that, rather than us having to reconnect this food, it reconnects us, nourishing both body and soul with divine light, carrying us to heights we could otherwise never achieve.

And so, writes Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, matzah on Passover--especially on the first night--not only nourishes your divine soul, it softens up the animal instinct within you. Your inner beast becomes open to knowing something greater than itself.

At the very least, he writes, it allows your divine soul some respite.

As it turns out, matzah on Passover is not just food for the soul, it’s potent medicine for the human animal.

Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, “the Maharash,” Hemshech 5637, chapter 60, cited frequently by the Rebbe

.

The Streudel 



Becky and Yossi were married for 75 years when Yossi was on his deathbed. In the back bedroom, Yossi lay, listening to the sounds in the house around him. Soon, he started to smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. It was his favorite chocolate strudel.

His mouth began to water and he smiled, knowing that his beloved wife Becky was making his favorite food for him to enjoy one last time.

It took all his energy to hobble from the bed into the kitchen, where he spied his wife working on the strudel. She stepped away for a moment to the refrigerator to retrieve something and Yossi reached out his hand to touch the delectable treat on the kitchen counter.

Suddenly, he felt a slap on his wrist.

“Yossi!” his wife cried out. “It’s for the shiva.”

Yes, there is Shabbat dinner this week.

If past weeks are any indication, by now you know Shabbat Dinner at Chabad at Chabad is where it’s at!

We have a 4 course dinner, prepared at Chabad, with all your favorite food. 

By now you know, Chabad Dinner is the JewSocial of the week on campus. Don't Miss it. Dinner at 7:30pm. PLEASE RSVP TO JOIN.

NOTE NEW TIME: 7:30pm start

Kabbalat Shabbat 6:45pm 

Text "SPRING SHABBAT" to 2172927787

Tonight, FRIDAY NIGHT

6:45 pm Services

7:30 pm Dinner

Come by for services, or dinner, or both!

--

Shabbat continues: 

As it’s erev pesach: 

Shabbat services are earlier 

Shabbat morning a service at 7:30a

Mega lunch 1pm

hang out all day. 

Thanks to our generous partners, There is NO charge for dinner @ Chabad...come home to a warm dinner.  Want to partner and sponsor a Shabbat? click here.

Passover Seder

& Full week of

Passover Cafe 

Reservations now open!!!

Passover is coming! and preparations are under way! 

Set up planned, brisket ingredients are being shipped to our doors, and the many elements to serve over 480 seder meals and many more Lunch & Dinners throughout the week!

Take two minutes today to reserve - and have your seat confirmed.

Our goal is to create an elegant, beautiful Passover experience for every Jewish Illini!

We look forward to welcoming you through our doors! 

- Rabbi, Goldie & the Illini Chabad family

"I was pleasantly surprised at how thorough, detailed, and uplifting the seders at Chabad were - and we were finished in a very reasonable amount of time as well!" 

"Thank you for a beautiful and inspirational seder evening - I have never felt so proud to be Jewish as I have here." 

"I thought keeping kosher for Passover would be difficult - the wholesome and delicious meals and the opportunity to sit in a warm home environment made this year's Passover so doable and so nice!" 

Seder details & reservations page - 

simple form: 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

First Seder:

Saturday evening, April 12 at 8:15pm

at Chabad

Experience the freedom with gourmet foods and fine wines. Experience the message with spirited singing, questions, surprises and fun!

Second Seder:

Sunday evening April 13 at 8:15pm

at Chabad

All the same freedom, food, messages and fun as seder number one, in a more intimate, round-table setting.

Seder rsvp

Week-long Lunch & Dinners / Meal plan

April 13- April 20 2025

Yes, Chabad will have full hot Kosher Lunch and Dinner all week of Passover!!

sit down home-style lunch & dinner/ or package yours to go!

freshly prepared meals each day

reserve for an entire week or per meal

Passover dinners RSVP

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY WEEK!

EMAIL OR CALL RABBI OR GOLDIE WITH ANY QUESTIONS/

SUBSIDIES OR SPONSORSHIPS

BE A PASSOVER SPONSOR, HELP US BRING PESACH TO ALL.

ILLINI CHABAD: 217.355.8672

Its Crunch Time!!

HUGE EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE - TODAY - Every dollar will be matched, to help us bring Passover to all!!

www.illiniCrunchTime.com

We are gearing up for a very big Pesach this year, with 2 Seders and 8 days of a full kosher for Pesach meal plan, plus all the pre and post Pesach events.

With the great growth of the year at Chabad, we expect that this year will be the largest yet.

Passover is an important time of year, where families can come together, a time to instill a strong Jewish pride.

For students, being on campus, and away from home, for the entire Passover or even a part, is not easy. For other students, Passover may not be a thing anymore. 

We are here for all, to be that home away from home to create a Passover experience that's fun to be a part of. What happens on campus today, affects the world of tomorrow 

In addition, there are many in the community that are homebound and cannot make their own Seder, we will have Seder's brought to them, with our Seder to go initiative. 

This year more then ever, with the growing hate on College Campuses, we will redouble our efforts to add in Jewish Pride and energy.

Let's think of those that will not be at the Seder this year, those taken from us in the Terror attacks in Israel, the Hostages, lets FILL an EXTRA seat for them, we will work hard to find all that did not plan to join passover this year, and invite them to join. Fill the empty seat in honor of those that we lost this year.

Thanks to dear friends, in addition to the Seders, some years back we started the Kosher for Passover Meal plan at Chabad, which enabled so many to have food to eat over the holiday, eat well over passover and connect them to their heritage. 

Due to Thank g-d the great growth of Chabad, and due to large rise if food costs which is impacting all, The Passover budget for 2025 is growing and growing. Our Passover Budget for this year is $180,000.

We NEED you to help us, help all.

We are blessed that a group of locals, parents, alumni and parents of alumni have put up half the budget, IF we raise the other half, this campaign will enable to cover our entire Passover budget. Help us reach out goal. 

www.illiniCrunchTime.com

Please let me know if you need more info or have any questions.

Rabbi Dovid & Goldie Tiechtel

Illini Chabad | Website

Shabbat in the AM

You are also invited to join us this Saturday March, 8th at 10am for our lively morning service full of song and joy.

Hear a short thought between each Aliya and a sermonette which is both spiritual and connected to the current events with a timely message.

The program finishes by joining for a full Shabbat lunch at 1:00 PM, including challah, fish, salads, and the gourmet Shabbat Dish, " thy cholent" prepared by our very own culinary staff. All are invited to participate. 



 Looking forward to seeing you there.

 Your friends and family at Chabad

Join us for an exciting Shabbat (Saturday) day lunch!! 

3 course of awesome food and great times!!! Of course with a Cholent!

Shabbat (Saturday) at 1pm

Thank you to the so many donors that made this Passover possible. Here is a link to all those that helped!

Click here

Are you interested in creating a Shabbat meal for your family or hosting guests but don't feel like cooking? Do you wish to enhance your meal with fresh Shabbat foods?

We're thrilled to announce that Chabad Kosher Catering is here to help! We now provide "Shabbat to Go" catering for our local community.

Enjoy everything freshly made from scratch by our Chef Yudi in the Chabad Catering Kitchen.

Experience the convenience of Shabbat dinner to go!

Please remember to place your orders by Tuesday for that weekend. 

If you are homebound please message us and we can work to have it brought to you.

To learn more CLICK HERE

For any and all questions email Goldie at admin@jewishillini.com

Hosting? Celebrating? We can cater you next event, email goldie@jewishillini.com for more info. 

Hold your spot for 2025-2026 year.

-Single Rooms

-Living room in each Suite

-Separate HVAC in each suite

-Private entrance

-Private student lounge, with free printing, refreshments and more

-Central on Campus

-Full Meal Plan

-Only Accepting 32 students,