JCCSF: The Broken Seder, a post-October 7 art installation

Internationally renowned Bay Area artist Day Schildkret and the JCCSF collaborated to create The Broken Seder, an immersive art installation that ran between April 3-6 at the JCCSF. The project reimagined the Passover Seder plate as an organic multimedia experience combining evocative tablescapes, sound collages, and lighting to explore themes of brokenness, grief, resilience, and renewal. The result was an experience that invited deep reflection on Jewish identity in a time of rising antisemitism.

Schildkret used the familiar rituals of Passover to explore the emotional spectrum of being Jewish today. It prompted attendees to engage with tradition in new ways and feedback was incredibly positive, with participants appreciating an opportunity to explore the complex topic in community. 

The Broken Seder was supported by the Creative Work Fund, a renowned grant program that is celebrated for its excellence and known for artworks that embody cultural richness, diversity, and belonging. The Creative Work Fund is a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund that also is supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The Broken Seder was an outstanding example of how the JCCSF is living its commitment to be a bright light for modern, diverse Jewish life in the Bay Area.