Representatives of the UK’s major faiths have gathered for an interfaith seder led by Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg and Chief Executive Michael Wegier
Guests at Tuesday’s event, which was hosted by Board of Deputies past President Marie van der Zyl, included the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally, Founding Patron of the Faiths Forum for London, Maurice Ostro, the Right Revd. Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy, Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz, and Rick Sopher, Honorary Fellow of the Woolf Institute. Also attending were local government leaders and religious leaders of a total of nine different faiths and denominations.
Following the event, Phil Rosenberg said: “The 18-month period since 7th October has been a difficult time for interfaith engagement, which is why events such as this and our Optimistic Alliance between Jews and Muslim are so crucial. It was both an honour and a pleasure to host such an eminent and diverse group for our annual interfaith seder. Such events can only bring us closer together and increase knowledge of our different traditions and faiths. My thanks go to my predecessor Marie van der Zyl for kindly offering to host this wonderful occasion at her home.”
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, The Bishop of London, said: “As Passover approaches later this week, it was a privilege to gather with friends from different faith communities for an interfaith seder. This interfaith gathering around the seder table, to welcome in the festival of Pesach, demonstrates the importance of interfaith collaboration to promote a peaceful and compassionate society. My thanks go to the Board of Deputies of British Jews for convening and hosting the event”.
Dr Mayank Shah said: “It was a privilege to be part of this special event, embedded with so much history.”
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, the Mayor of Newham said: “Experiencing the joy that people of different faiths coming together as friends at the Board of Deputies interfaith seder was a magnificent and valuable experience for me as a Muslim last night. It magnified the significance of Pesach for our Jewish communities and the hope of freedom that resonates for all of us throughout all time. During this Passover season of blessings for our Jewish community, offering the hand of friendship to deepen understanding and strengthen bonds is a precious belief and welcomed act of faith.”
Photos: Gary Perlmutter