TEL AVIV – The World Jewish Congress-Israel, together with the Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR), held its ninth annual pre-Passover Model Seder on Wednesday, bringing together ambassadors and diplomats from dozens of countries for an evening of reflection and solidarity.
Guests heard from WJC Executive Committee Member Colette Avital, a staunch advocate on behalf of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who poignantly emphasized that while Jewish people around the world will soon be celebrating a holiday of freedom, 59 Israelis remain in Hamas captivity. “This year [our] call has a special resonance,” she said. “It calls on us to remember not only the suffering of many generations of Jews, but also the resilience of our people, that fact that each generation has managed to overcome and survive. As we celebrate freedom, it is an urgent call to free all the remaining hostages.”
Diplomats also heard from Abie Moses, chairman of the organization Victims of Hostilities, which honors the memory of Israeli victims of terror since the founding of the modern state. Moses shared his personal story, recalling how his pregnant wife and five-year-old son were killed in a terror attack in 1987.
Despite the air of seriousness, the evening also featured some light-hearted moments—Jewish Diplomatic Corps members Terry Newman and Ariel Rodal-Speiler offered “fun facts” about the Afikoman, adding a touch of tradition and humor to the program. Participants read from WJC’s specially curated digital Haggadah, which included letters from Sylvan Adams, WJC-Israel Chair Hadassa Getsztain, and ICFR Chair Dan Meridor.
The Model Seder was the first for Sylvan Adams, who in March assumed the position of World Jewish Congress-Israel Regional President. In his new role, Adams aims to strengthen the bonds between Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora and the State of Israel. He will also work to bolster diplomatic support in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks through partnerships with the private sector and governments.
