By Ann Gerhart and Annie Groer

Friday, April 25 1997; Page G03 - The Washington Post

At the very moment that the Dalai Lama bowed to greet the rabbis at a Passover Seder yesterday, a plaintive cry went up from the far end of the table: "Mom, I'm hungry."

His Holiness grinned at the squirming 4-year-old, and continued smiling beatifically for much of the ritual meal that marks the Jews' exodus from slavery in Egypt and, at this Embassy Row Seder, was expanded to support Tibet's struggle against the Chinese.

An hour later, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and exiled spiritual leader proclaimed the matzo "very tasty," inquired about the sphere in the chicken soup (a matzo ball), noted the novelty of wearing "this hat" (a yarmulke) and thanked some 60 participants from Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to actor Vee ("The King and I") Talmadge for providing "a very warm feeling and your sense of solidarity."

Prayers and songs were in English and Hebrew but midway through the ceremony, a scratchy tape of a Tibetan song secretly recorded by a jailed nun was played. "No matter how hard we are beaten, our linked arms cannot be separated," she sang.

The interfaith Seder was organized by Rabbi David Saperstein, father of the famished little boy, Ari, and director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. It was held at the group's Massachusetts Avenue headquarters. The Dalai Lama, who has met with President Clinton, Vice President Gore and top lawmakers this week, is considered a dangerous political "splittist" by the Chinese. He has said he seeks autonomy, not total independence, for Tibet, which was invaded by China in 1950.

His Holiness, who lives in India, wanted to attend a Seder to better understand how Jews can remain cohesive despite centuries of oppression and exile, Saperstein said.

Lodi Gyari, who heads the International Campaign for Tibet, said later that the Dalai Lama "was able to find another secret of your people. It was a very moving experience for him."

The meal ended with the traditional "next year in Jerusalem" as well as "next year in Lhasa," the Tibetan capital.