Washington, D.C. — In a celebration of shared heritage, faith, and friendship, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) for a special interfaith Passover Seder on April 19, 2026.
Hosted at Washington Hebrew Congregation, the event brought together approximately 100 participants from both communities for an evening of reflection, learning, and connection led by Rabbi Fischel and Rabbi Rachel. The Seder—central to the Jewish Passover tradition—commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and highlights themes of freedom, faith, and remembrance. Guests gathered in small groups with Haggadah, sharing traditional foods, prayers, and songs.
Participants described the experience in deeply personal terms. “This was my first Seder and it was such a beautiful experience. We are still basking in the afterglow of the evening,” one attendee shared. Another noted, “Loved the mixing at the tables, the singing, the delicious food, the clear explanations about what was happening, the opportunity to ask questions.”
The evening created space for meaningful interfaith dialogue. “It was lovely. I met some great people and got to learn about some of the similarities and differences between Judaism and LDS,” said one participant, while another reflected, “Everyone was so friendly and willing to learn about Jewish customs. There were lots of questions asked and people eager to receive answers.”
The event builds on a growing relationship between the LDS Church and AJC, which began in Washington over the past year through smaller interfaith gatherings. These earlier engagements fostered personal connections and encouraged participants to visit one another’s places of worship. This year’s expanded Seder reflects a shared commitment to deepening understanding at a time when such dialogue is especially meaningful.
The April 19 Seder stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between LDS and Jewish communities and highlights the power of interfaith dialogue to bring people together in meaningful and lasting ways.
By Abigail Lambert
