American Jewish Committee Interfaith Seder Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple April 13, 2011
The 8th Annual AJC (American Jewish Committee) inter-faith Diplomatic Seder was held at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.
Rabbi Joshua Caruso led the ceremony with enthusiasm and passion. He told how the feast of Passover was both a celebration of freedom and a memory of slavery.
Rabbi Joshua Caruso
The Seder is made up of 15 parts. They are:
Kadesh - Reciting the Kiddush (blessing/Prayer of Sanctification)
U'rechatz - Washing of the hands
Karpas - Blessing of green vegetable
Yachatz - Breaking and sharing the matzah (cracker-like unleavened bread)
Maggid - Telling the story of Passover (Exodus)
Rachtzah -Washing hands before meal
Motzi - Prayer to start the meal
Matzah - bless the matzah
Maror - Blessing of bitter herbs
Korech Hillel's sandwich - (Paste of apples, spices and nuts spread between matzah)
Schulchan Orech - Eating the meal
Tzafun - Eating the afikoman (remaining matzah and dessert)
Barech - Saying grace
Hillel - Psalms of praise
Nirtzah - Conclusion of Seder
The very diverse crowd took part in reading, dancing, singing and telling personal stories.
Eduardo Romero reading as Asim Datta follows along
Of course we can't forget the traditional Seder foods.
In the video below, Rabbi Joshua Caruso introduced Dara Holop who led the crowd in Am Yisrael Chai.
Rabbi Joshua Caruso, Dara Holop and Scott Matasar
Later, Dara Holop led the crowd in Go Down Moses.
The music continued with dancing through the room.
Bob Smith and Meredith Turner
Several people shared a personal story.
German Consul Diana M. Thimmig told how she appreciates freedom so much more after a recent trip to Tibet.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. told about his struggles in the South.
Peggy Zone Fisher told about her "mixed marriage". She is a Catholic and her husband Lee Fisher is Jewish. She also told of how her West Side family was the only home supporting Carl Stokes for Mayor in the 1960's and the price they paid for that.
The evening was another tremendous example of the diversity in Cleveland and how we are all much more similar than different. Enjoy these photos from the Seder.
Alan Schonberg and Spanish Consul Manuel Lopez
Rich Crepage, Sernea Scaiola and Richard Ziska
Dr. Vik Stankus
Kelly Feliciano, Jose Feliciano Jr. and Veronica Dahlberg
Jamie Fish, British Consul Sandra Morgan and Gabrielle Gueye
German Consul Diana M. Thimmig
Richard Herman, Joe Thomas and Andres Gonzalez
Diana Centeno-Gomez and Jose Feliciano
Mona and Harjit Alag and Dr. Gita Gidwani
Rachel Urum
Reverend Howard Pippin
Reverend Liza Hendricks
Rev Orlando Chaffee and Rev Otis Moss Jr.
Scott Matasar, President of the Cleveland chapter of the American Jewish Committee
