An interfaith Passover Seder honors community resilience after the LA fires

Ahead of Passover, the Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) hosted its annual Interfaith Seder dinner on Thursday evening at the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. The event, themed “From Hardship to Hope: The Power of Collective Strength,” brought together diverse faith leaders, first responders, civic officials and community members affected by the recent L.A. wildfires to “honor the spirit of community resilience and the enduring strength of togetherness,” organizers said.

Rabbi Ahud Sela, President of the Board of Rabbis and Rabbi at Temple Ramat Zion, blesses wine during a special interfaith seder on Thursday night, April 3, at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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The seder is a ritual feast marking the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which this year begins on April 12 at sundown.

The Haggadah prayers were dedicated to all the houses of worship and communities affected by the wildfires.

Nearly 20 religious institutions burned down in the fires, and hundreds of other houses of worship sustained immeasurable damage, officials said.

The event included a performance by Media Musicians United, a group helping creative artists restore any lost equipment. An interactive art exhibit through the Oneness Project invited guests to reflect on themes of unity, tolerance and inner peace.

A final musical performance of healing featured clergy from different faiths, led by Cantor Ruth Berman Harris of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said that the Musum of Tolerance was honored to welcome L.A.’s “diverse tapestry of faiths and communities” for the dinner.

“The story of a people moving from slavery to freedom that is told at every Passover Seder table is a universal journey offering hope for people from every faith and community,” said Berk.

JFEDLA board chair Orna Wolens reflected on the solemn — yet hopeful — event.

“Like our ancestors before us, we come to this year’s Seder with heavier hearts, carrying the weight of a year filled with hardship. From rising antisemitism and hate to the recent devastating wildfires, the challenges we face seem unrelenting,” Wolens said in her remarks. “As we come together, we not only reflect on our losses but also celebrate the enduring spirit of our community. We honor the strength of those who are working to rebuild, those who have supported one another, and those who have sought out hope in the darkest of times.”