The past is often the best way to help us reach a better future, and sometimes it’s the future that helps us appreciate our past. Undoubtedly, the old brings us into the new, yet the new often brings us back to the everlasting old. Old was added to the New Synagogue in Prague’s historical Jewish Quarter when new synagogues were being built, renaming it the Old New Synagogue. And Tel Aviv was named from Herzl’s dream of an “Old New Land” in the historical place of the Jewish People. This same Old-New dichotomy was experienced twice this past week through events held by our Federation’s Community Engagement strategic initiative.
Monday Night
During The Jewish Federation’s community interfaith Seder at Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights, the old synagogue was bustling with new life when the ancient Passover ritual was shared by 70 civic leaders from across Los Angeles.
Led by Rabbi Hal Greenwald, our Federation’s Program Manager for its Holy Land Democracy Project, and spearheaded by New Leaders Project alumnus Jesse Gabriel, the Seder brought together attendees from across a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Participants included attorneys from Federation-supported Bet Tzedek, the Mexican American Bar Association, fair housing advocates and homeless service providers. There were environmentalists and urban farmers, representatives from the corporate and political world, as well as community organizers.
Sure, the physical space gained a sense of renewal because of the Seder. But it was the Seder that gave the participants a new perspective into themselves and the work they do.
Rabbi Greenwald spoke about how the exodus from Egypt represents the narrowness and constrictiveness in our own lives and in the issues facing the city of Los Angeles. Attendees tasted the bitterness of the maror, the tears of the salt water, and the triumphant sweetness of charoset. The leaders learned that by the work they do, our city is sent into the Promised Land of freedom and justice.
At the end of the night, there was left-over food that had not been served. It was packed up and taken to the shelter at Hollywood Community Housing where it was served for Tuesday lunch. Gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, kugel and brisket sparked discussion about Jewish culture and customs in the center’s ESL classes.
In the end, we were all reminded that while it was a new interfaith Seder, an Old New Seder, the Passover experience itself never quite gets old.
Tuesday Night
The Jewish Federation collaborated with American Jewish World Service, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger and Netiya for “Putting Food Justice on the Seder Plate.” The event provided an opportunity for our own community to learn about hunger in Los Angeles, the country and worldwide and come away with materials to add to their families’ Seders or discuss around the Passover table.
Each organization presented on a different aspect of the Seder and how it can relate to food justice. Flori Schutzer, Program Director of The Jewish Federation Hunger Initiative, shared information about hunger here at home in Los Angeles along with action items for people to consider – including donating food to shelters and feeding programs. Cari Uslan, Director of Development at MAZON discussed national hunger advocacy and the 5th Question – “Why on this night are millions of people still going hungry?” Rabbi Noah Farkas of Netiya spoke about matzo, the bread of affliction – our broken food system and how food can both enslave and redeem. Finally, Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service, addressed a modern take on the story of the Four Children – The Activist, The Skeptic, The Indifferent and The Uninformed.
Many attendees stayed to discuss what they had heard until our hosts at Ohr HaTorah /The Hub on Venice had to close up the building. Many Seders across Los Angeles will be richer this year for the new depth that will be added to our always changing yet ever the same story of slavery and freedom.
