38 | MARCH 30 • 2023 

MELISSA GOULD SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JCRC/AJC 
T

he Jewish Community Relations 
Council/AJC held its annual Global 
Diplomatic Interfaith Seder at Adat 
Shalom Synagogue earlier this month. Jewish 
and non-Jewish attendees alike ushered into 
the sanctuary as Adat Shalom’s Rabbi Blair 
Nosanwisch removed the Torah from the 
ark and took questions about the Torah and 
Judaism. 
Back in the social hall, the event co-chairs, 
Carol Ogusky and Howard Brown, warmly 
welcomed all to the event. Ogusky impres-

sively greeted everyone in nine different 
languages. The Honorary chair, Honorary 
Consul General Richard Walawender of 
Poland, spoke eloquently about how Poland 
was a principal center of Jewish culture for 
centuries.
JCRC/AJC has strong relationships with 
Consuls General and various interfaith 
partners. Countries represented at the seder 
included Canada, Norway, Sweden, Japan, 
Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Italy and 
Mexico. 

Members of the Hindu, Muslim and 
Christian communities were in attendance, as 
well as members from the Coalition for Black 
and Jewish Unity. 
There was great conversation among 
the 80 guests, and all enjoyed the story of 
Passover and delicious food. Vocalist Monique 
Williams closed the evening, beautifully sing-
ing “Lift Every Voice.
” 

Melissa Gould is JCRC/AJC special projects coordinator. 

Diplomatic Committee co-chairs 
Howard Brown and Carol Ogusky 
flank Rabbi Blaire Nosanwisch

JCRC/AJC Hosts Annual Global 
Diplomatic Interfaith Seder

faces&places

 Seder place setting
Honorary Consul General Richard 
Walawender of Poland

Board president Phil Neuman and 
executive director Rabbi Asher Lopatin, 
alongside diplomats in attendance

