Israelis and Palestinians to participate in Interfaith coexistence seder

By Adam Rossano

This Pesach, outside of Jerusalem, there will be a second seder for some, a first ever for others.

A group of 30 young adults – Jewish Israelis and Palestinians together – will be taking part in an interfaith coexistence Pesach seder on the second seder night.

Ruth Vasileva, a Bulgarian who made aliyah to Israel 2 years ago from Berlin, the organiser behind the special second seder, said it is an opportunity to address some of the most universal moral topics that are explored through the seder, making the most of the Jewish tradition to ask and answer questions at Pesach.

Her Palestinian friends that will be taking part in the seder are curious to learn about the Jewish festival of Pesach and everyone involved is thirsty for the cultural exchange.

Having recently participated in a Moishe House Jewish Learning Retreat, Ruth was inspired to lead a Pesach seder for her peers.

Drawing on her experience in coexistence and peace activism, she added the interfaith twist.

Ruth was one of 32 participants that were brought together from 18 cities to Paris for a Pesach Haggadah Workshop, in which participants examined the seder through the lens of six different parts before recreating a portion using ancient and modern commentaries as their guide.

As an alumna of this Learning Retreat, Ruth is eligible to receive funding and support to host Moishe House Without Walls (MHWOW) programmes – community-building events for her peers – of which this seder is her first.