One LA-IAF holds Inaugural Labor Seder Published

One LA-IAF hosted its inaugural Labor Seder at member institution Temple Isaiah, joining in solidarity with over 150 leaders from labor unions, faith organizations, and nonprofits to take part in the annual Jewish tradition of the retelling of the Exodus story.  SEIU Local 2015 was honored for their organizing work on the "Quality Wages for Quality Home Care" campaign, with workers at the center of an evening about interfaith solidarity.

The evening was chaired by Rabbi Dara Frimmer, senior Rabbi at Temple Isaiah, and Cantor Randall Schloss of Temple Isaiah. Rabbis from across the county guided participants, many of whom had never participated in a Seder, through the profound meaning of the Passover Seder. Breaking matzah as part of Yachatz, Rabbi Kligfeld said “as long as anyone in the world is afflicted, none of us can be whole.”

Stories were an integral part of the evening, connecting themes of immigration and workers to the political upheaval seen today. According to Fr. Arturo, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church: "Helping immigrants is being in contact with God, because the scripture states that when we allow a foreigner, we receive God."

Lay leaders of member institutions spoke about the dignity of caregivers and how women of color and immigrants carry the brunt of the broken care system.

The evening culminated with Robert Hoo, Lead Organizer of One LA-IAF reaffirming that One LA-IAF institutions have long been in the fight to build power and that One LA-IAF stands with the "Quality Wages for Quality Home Care" campaign led by SEIU 2015.

Carmen Roberts, Executive Vice President of SEIU Local 2015, accepted the honors on behalf of SEIU 2015, the largest union in California representing more than half a million long-term care workers.