An interfaith Seder celebrating freedom

JORDAN MOSHE

This was evident at the interfaith Seder that was held at The Base shul in Glenhazel this week. The theme for the event was “From Oppression to Freedom”.

“When we look at a piece of matza, do we see the bread of affliction or the bread of freedom?” asked Aharon Zulberg, head of The Base. “Are they perhaps not both part of the same experience? Pesach is the time when we reflect on our personal journeys of freedom from slavery of different kinds.”

The lessons we can learn from our celebration of liberation were the central focus at this Seder, which celebrated the universal significance of freedom.

The event was hosted by the SA Friends of Israel and attended by members of the Jewish community, along with political and religious leaders from the broader South African community. Sitting at the table were Jews and Christians, who’d come together to enjoy matza, wine and an array of traditional Pesach dishes while discussing the deeper relevance of Pesach’s message in South Africa.

“We sit together in unity for the betterment of mankind and for peace in the world,” said Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft.

Among those present were many high-profile individuals such as Zambia’s ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, president of the African Christian Democratic Party Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, DA shadow minister of health Jack Bloom, national chairperson of the Congress of the People Pakes Dikgetsi, Zulu King Zwelakhe Mthethwa and Queen Goodness Mthethwa, deputy Israeli ambassador Ayellet Black, and Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft of the African Jewish Congress.

Many of the speakers at the event took to the podium to explain the various themes of Pesach and what they mean to us today in South Africa. From the significance of Zionism in South Africa to the importance of questions in educating our youth, every subject that could possibly be drawn from the Seder Haggadah was brought to the fore, and discussion and debate were encouraged.

Highlights of the evening included Habonim shaliach Dani Abebe recounting his journey of exodus from Ethiopia to Israel, Allan Zulberg’s impassioned call for the country’s poverty to be addressed, and moving performances of Mah Nishtana and Avadim Hayinu by the Yeshiva College Boys High School choir.

“In our country, we reach out in understanding and with full intention to help each other,” said Reeva Forman. “Slavery exists even today. Some people are slaves to others, some to their circumstances. Some are slaves to poverty, and some to their own hatred and prejudice. We are one nation, and we have a mission to bring peace to the world. We are a country that turned away from the path of hatred, and as a fiercely proud South African Zionist, I believe we have a unique role to play in sharing a message of freedom with the world.”