The maror looked strange to immigrant rights activist Angelica Salas, and she wasn't sure how bitter the bitter herbs would be.
"But I actually really enjoyed it," Salas said, recalling how she dipped parsley into saltwater and made her first Hillel sandwich at her first Passover Seder.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday, April 25, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 37 words Type of Material: Correction
Passover: An article in Sunday's California section about Passover Seders said the Progressive Jewish Alliance would be having an outreach Seder with the labor community May 1. The organization having the Seder is the Jewish Labor Committee.
Stuffing charoset, a paste of sweet fruits and nuts, and a layer of bitter herbs between two small pieces of matzo bread, Salas laughed as the flatbread crunched and crumbled between her teeth.
"The singing, the poems and the prayers by others were really welcoming, and even if you weren't Jewish, you really felt welcome. And even if this isn't your faith and your tradition, there was a message," said Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
She was among more than 80 people at the Nation of Immigrants Passover Seder held this month by the local Anti-Defamation League at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. It was one of scores of outreach Seders held this year by Jews celebrating Passover, which officially began at sundown Saturday.
"As Jews, we are always looking for partners in the community that will stand up against anti-Semitism. How do we achieve partnership if we aren't willing to stand up for others ourselves?" said Amanda Suskind, regional director of the ADL. "It actually helps to foster this coalition of people. If all the minorities stand up together, what a great majority we will be."
Some Seders, the ritual meal that recounts the Exodus of Jews from Egypt, were held even before Passover officially began. The American Jewish Committee held a Seder at the Wilshire temple on Thursday, celebrating the historical alliance between Jews and blacks.
Another Seder at Wilshire Boulevard Temple on Saturday will be dedicated to building stronger relationships between Jews and Muslims. At that Seder, the Passover story will be told through the Koran, which also recounts the Exodus. And the Progressive Jewish Alliance is having a Seder on May Day, May 1, that will bring together Jews and the labor force.
"There is a way in which sharing this holiday is an important way of sharing something very vital in the Jewish tradition," said Rabbi Haim Beliak, who will be joined for Seder at his house by Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.
