This past Saturday night, we experienced something beautiful.
For a few years now, we have had what I call an ‘interfaith triangle’ between Temple Emanu-El, the Presbyterians at St. Luke’s, and the Muslims from the Istanbul Cultural Center.
Each year, each of us hosts the other two for a special occasion. This past Sukkot, we had 90 people (about a 1/3rd from each group) at Temple Emanu-El to dine in our sukkah, experience our Sukkot customs, have conversation and fellowship, and then informally ‘tour’ our sanctuary. My heart soared to see our congregants explaining the Jewish symbols and taking out our Torahs to show our friends our most sacred books.
For Ramadan, the Istanbul Cultural Center annually hosts us for Iftar, which is their break fast in the evening after a day of fasting. They are warm and gracious, and the food is out of this world.
In December, St. Luke’s hosted both groups for their phenomenal Advent service. This community could not be more welcoming to us and to the folks from the ICC. Their music is incredible, and everyone left feeling like we truly prayed together.
But this past Saturday night was extra special, and very much needed.
One more piece of relevant context: right after October 7th, our Muslim friends reached out to us (at Temple Emanu-El) to share how horrified they were at what had happened and shared that they very much wanted to ‘be there’ for us. They suggested that we intentionally share a meal as a sign of our continued relationship. St. Luke’s offered to host everyone. So we gathered at dusk on January 4th, first in their reception area for conversation and tea; then in their ‘Great Hall’ for a vegetarian catered supper.
Pastor David Lower welcomed everyone and spoke about the importance of fellowship, especially in these turbulent times. Rabbi Max spoke words of Torah and brought everyone together with his message of fellowship. Finally, their lay leader, Umut, shared thanks that we all had the space, and the courage, to take a chance with one another. How beautiful it is when brothers and sisters come together for peace!
Each table was comprised of congregants from each of the three faith traditions, and the conversation, across the board, was honest, and excellent.
To conclude the evening, Pastor Lower asked us all to make one big circle around their Great Hall. Most people held hands. It was a stunning visual. Pastor asked us, together, to enter into a prayer. His words were strong and hopeful, and vulnerable; asking for the hostages to be returned, and the hope for true peace. Beyza, from the Istanbul Cultural Center, prayed with their traditional Muslim words for a time of discernment and understanding, and gratitude for the evening. Finally, Rabbi Miller introduced the Priestly Benediction and chanted it while translating each line. Those ancient words were meant for everyone in the room, Jew, Muslim, and Christian.
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God’s face turn towards you, and grant you the gift of true peace…
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Spike
