For the past decade, our congregation has taken great pride in the development of interfaith relations. Together we have visited Churches, Mosques and the sacred temples. Interfaith studies remain core to our confirmation curriculum as we seek to instill within the minds and spirits of our students a sense of openness, trust and understanding of other faiths, while at the same time encouraging them to be positive representatives of our own faith.
In my mind, this interfaith work is absolutely central to our survival as a people, for the more others understand us; the more others place a face with the term “Jew;” and the more others see that our beliefs and practices are not that different from theirs, then the more difficult it is for others to dehumanize us, demonize us and turn against us.
Throughout the month of November, HCRJ is participating in and hosting a number a phenomenal Interfaith programs designed to build bridges of trust and understanding between a wide variety of faith communities.
Please consider some of the following programs and help members of other faith communities place a friendly face with the concept of “a Jew.”
November 13: Zoroastrian Dinner Dialogue
The Zoroastrian faith was formally founded in the 6th century BCE and influenced later religions including Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity and Islam. It is currently estimated that there are between 145,000 and 2.6 million Zoroastrians worldwide. On November 13 the Zoroastrian community will welcome all who wish to learn more about their faith and culture. Visit Interfaith Ministries of Houston of Greater Houston to learn more to register.
November 16: Muslim / Jewish Tailgate Party for Teens
If there is one thing that can teach us that we are all rooting for the same team, it is a Texans football game. All teens (grades 6-12) are welcome to join us after Sunday School on Sunday, November 16 for a Texas tailgate party with Muslim teens from Crescent Youth.
November 17: Expressions of Gratitude: An Interfaith Thanksgiving
Come and join seven Houston faith communities for an interfaith service followed by a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism and cosponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Greater Houston. Represented faiths will include: Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Please RSVP to hcrj@hcrj.org by November 12.