On Monday, April 14th, Hillel at UCLA hosted its second annual Interfaith Seder, an evening dedicated to fostering unity, empathy, and mutual understanding among diverse cultural and religious communities both on campus and across the greater Los Angeles area.
Held on the third night of Passover, the event welcomed a distinguished group of community leaders and guests. Among them were UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, Dan Gold, Executive Director of Hillel at UCLA, and Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, Director Emeritus of Hillel, who led the Seder. Also in attendance was USAC President Adam Tfayli, who made a brief appearance to show his support.
Throughout the night, speakers reflected on the power of coming together during a time marked by global polarization, rising tensions, and acts of hate. They spoke on the transformative role of interfaith dialogue in bridging divides, building solidarity, and nurturing hope, especially at a time when many communities feel vulnerable or marginalized.
The Haggadah, the traditional Jewish text guiding the Passover Seder, was thoughtfully curated to include quotes from Catholic priests and influential political figures. These excerpts explored themes that transcend religious and cultural boundaries, reinforcing a message of unity, shared values, and collective responsibility.
Traditional Passover rituals were honored, while voices from various faith traditions added new dimensions to the celebration. Attendees were invited to engage in conversations around common themes such as liberation, resilience, and the pursuit of justice, finding connection.
The evening’s tone was one of warmth, introspection, and genuine connection. Around each table, guests exchanged personal stories, asked deep questions, and found strength in shared humanity.
Rabbi Seidler-Feller closed the Seder by noting a beautiful linguistic intersection: in Spanish, both Passover and Easter share the same word, Pascua, a fitting reminder of the deep parallels between these two traditions and the universal longing for renewal and redemption.
The night stood as a meaningful expression of dialogue, connection, and shared purpose.
