March 10, 2026
Congregation Mishkan Or, Beachwood, Ohio
In early March, nearly 250 leaders from across our community came together to celebrate AJC Cleveland’s 23rd Annual Community Leadership Passover Seder. Rabbi Yael Dadoun and Cantor Kathy Sebo led a warm and joyful Seder, bringing tradition to life and reminding us that the Passover story is as relevant today as it has ever been.
Our Freedom Speakers -- Margaret Bernstein, Kim Khazqei, and Rev. Luis Vizcarrondo— moved and inspired us, deepening our appreciation for the ongoing struggle for freedom. We were uplifted by the soulful voice of Rev. Chris Smith singing Go Down Moses. We were delighted by Rev. Andy Call’s playful rendition of Dayenu, complete with the Persian custom of lightly striking one another with scallions. The practice, which symbolizes the whips used by Egyptian taskmasters, filled the room with laughter and reflected the Seder’s balance between sorrow and joy.
Hope for the future shone brightly as two young girls beautifully recited the Four Questions. We nourished ourselves spiritually and enjoyed a delicious Mizrahi inspired meal, learning about the rich diversity within Jewish tradition. But most of all, we were surrounded in community, celebrating shared values and drawing strength from our differences.
For more photos from the event, please click here to view our photo gallery.
Click here on Cleveland Jewish News for coverage of this event.
