Interfaith Seder

The InterFaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut and Temple Beth El in Stamford are co-sponsoring an Interfaith Seder Thursday, March 29 at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford. A light buffet is available starting at 7 p.m.; the traditional seder foods will be presented symbolically. The Seder, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will follow the flow of the traditional Jewish Passover texts and rituals, and include commentary from clergy of diverse faiths on the power of the Exodus story and Passover themes in their own traditions. Participants will also be invited into discussion. Organizers hope to deepen understanding of this central celebration in Judaism and to promote interfaith conversation and learning.

“This Interfaith Seder just prior to Passover and Holy Week builds on the Interfaith Iftars we’ve offered the past few years during Ramadan,” says Kate Heichler, president of the Interfaith Council. “The IFC hopes to partner with many different faith communities to offer opportunities like this for people to come together, break bread – or matzah – together, pray and talk and learn together.” Heichler hopes to convene such gatherings around Christian and Hindu holidays, as well as those of other traditions.

The Seder is more often a family meal than an occasion for congregational worship, but this is an opportunity to teach as well as celebrate. Local clergy will participate in offering prayers and blessings, talking about the power of the Passover story in the African-American churches, as well as how the Christian eucharist evolved from the Passover observance.

All are welcome; reservations are requested by Sunday, March 25th (contact Kate Heichler at kateheichler@gmail.com).

The InterFaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut is active in promoting cooperation and conversation among diverse faith communities in lower Fairfield County.  Through a diverse array of special events, monthly interfaith discussions and many community initiatives, the InterFaith Council is making “the place for interfaith action and the space for interfaith conversation” in our communities.  Temple Beth El also has a long commitment to interfaith education and events; its rabbi, Joshua Hammerman, initiated the interfaithconversation Learning & Latte ten year ago.

For more information on the InterFaith Council, call 203-348.2800 or check the InterFaith Council’s website, www.interfaithcouncil.org, or InterFaith Council on Facebook.