Religious Studies Students Volunteer

Two dozen University of Virginia students are volunteering with the IRC this semester as part of a religious studies course on the Passover Haggadah. In class, students learn about the history and the traditions of the Passover, the story of the Israelites escaping exile in Egypt, and what it felt like for them to be strangers in a foreign land. Students are helping out in IRC English classes, setting up bank accounts for clients, and working with the New Roots gardening program. As they learn about ancient and contemporary refugee experiences, they hope to begin a new tradition of religious studies student volunteer participation with the IRC. The class will culminate in a community-wide Seder to raise awareness about newcomers in our area.