The Board of Deputies hosted a Seder for representatives of all the UK’s major faiths at the home of its president, Marie van der Zyl.

It included a poignant contribution on the theme of freedom by the Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy, the Right Rev Kenneth Nowakowski.

“During the Covid restrictions, we lost many freedoms to prevent the spread of this deadly pandemic,” he reflected. He now thought about “freedom from the anxiety and fear that this war in Ukraine has thrown on us.  But I also think about the term ‘freedom to.’

“We have so much to celebrate once we are feeling liberated because now we can say I have the freedom to…”

Others welcomed the opportunity to share traditions.

Bishop of London, the Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, said it had been “a privilege and a joy” to participate, accepting “the wonderful hospitality offered by the Board of Deputies.

“I was delighted to be invited with friends from across different faith communities.”  

Ms van der Zyl said afterwards: “It was an honour and a pleasure to host such an eminent and diverse interfaith group. Such events can only bring us closer together and increase knowledge of our different traditions and faiths.”