The Jewish Community Relations Council and the Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church (USA) are partnering with other community organizations on the 2015 Community Hunger Seder, planned for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at the Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Road. The seder is part of a national Hunger Seder mobilization coordinated by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and MAZON:  A Jewish Response to Hunger.  The mobilization focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty in the United States.

This year, the seder will focus on children’s hunger issues. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) estimates that 21.4 percent of American children live in households that face a constant struggle against hunger. This issue is especially pertinent now as later this year, Congress will vote on Child Nutrition Reauthorization, which funds school breakfast, lunch and afterschool feeding programs.

At the seder, participants will read from a specially designed Passover Hadaggah. Rabbi Josef A.  Davidson of Congregation B’nai Amoona will officiate at the seder. The Hadaggah will have special readings addressing the importance of working to make all people free from hunger.  The program will conclude with a call to action including specific steps that can be taken to reduce food insecurity in St. Louis and nationally.

Participants are requested to bring donations of canned food to benefit area food pantries.  This event is free and open to the entire community. 

Partnering organizations are the JCRC’s Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations, as well as its Bohm Social Justice Initiative, in collaboration with: the Community Against Poverty (CAP) Hunger Task Force and partnering agencies Bread for the World, Empower Missouri, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and Operation Food Search. Additional support and funding for the Seder comes from MAZON and the JCPA.  

RSVPs are required  for the event and space is limited. RSVP to Roxann Holloway at JCRC at 314-442-3871 or [email protected] no later than March 20.   For more information, contact Gail Wechsler at JCRC at  [email protected] or 314-442-3894.