STANDING IN SOLIDARITY
PRAYER VIGIL for a Jewish Family
Last night at the corner of Poway Rd and Community Rd. in Poway, CA.
We were:
‘All for One and One for All’ at a Candlelight Prayer and Song Vigil
to support a Jewish family whose home was vandalized two nights ago with a swastika painted on their house, and their car covered with Kerosene.
Luckily a family member got up in the middle of the night, saw what was happening, and chased the two men away. If the family member had not gotten up, the car would have burned and possibly the house as well.
Christians, Muslims, New Thought, other faiths and members from POINT, the Poway City Council and Interfaith Worker Justice San Diego, stood solidly with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Abigail Albert brought extra candle votives for everyone. Thank you to Maryann Bacilla for organizing this vigil and Abigail for getting the word out. There were at least 80 people in attendance. Cars and trucks honked their support as everyone waved their candle lights. A member of the Chabad brought a huge menorah and it was lit to celebrate the second day of Hanukkah. Rabbi Goldstein poignantly said,
“If the Jewish people had not won the battle, there would be no Jews, therefore no Christians or Muslims.”
The Facebook link is here:
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F
brooke.seibert%2Fposts%2F10212938041874518&
data=02%7C01%7C%7C9b0291e34d0848367dca08d659627685%7
C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636794676758351684
&sdata=CzOCh%2FCXE6%2B0yLxdHOm5uMCWan114oTd1wbxr
Wn8hEM%3D&reserved=0
***
Stand up for All Faiths, Creed, Colors, Races, Gender, All People, and Animals, Everywhere.
Letter to San Diego Mayor Faulconer
Dear Mayor Faulconer and Members of the Council:
“We, the undersigned leaders of San Diego-area religious communities, write this letter to you, leaders of city government, as an expression of ur concern and commitment.
We have been deeply troubled by the often-hateful rhetoric of the recent presidential campaign. Threats of mass deportation, derogatory references to women, false generalizations regarding Muslims, disparaging remarks about persons of Mexican heritage, and challenges to the acceptance of persons who are LGBT have left millions of neighbors fearful for their future in this country. At the same time, we recognize that there are many persons on all ends of the political spectrum who feel left out in our fast-changing society.
As people of religious faith, we affirm that every person deserves to be treated with the dignity that comes from being created by God. Because our traditions teach us to welcome the stranger, we declare our support for refugees and immigrants. Because our traditions emphasize compassion, we declare our solidarity with groups that feel under attack, including Muslims. Together we affirm that diversity of race, religion, and culture is a strength of this city and this nation. Together we affirm that the measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
We who sign this letter-Catholic, Mainline Protestant, and Evangelical Christians, New Thought, Muslims, Jews, and Unitarian Universalists-are incredibly diverse. We do not always agree on answers to the complex issues facing our society. And we are, therefore, acutely aware of the need for civil, respectful dialogue among those who disagree politically. This, too, is a key religious value.
We cannot, however, be silent when vulnerable neighbors feel threatened, whether by individual acts or governmental policies. The values we hold as people of religious faith will compel us to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. This is a crucial role for religious communities, one you need us to fulfill: to be a voice for those whose voice often goes unheard.
Our purpose in writing is to make public our concern and commitment, as well as our hope that you, our elected officials, share the values expressed above and will act accordingly.
Sincerely,”
(96 Names of Religious Leaders )
***
Praying Together at an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
***
Building Bonds by Uplifting All People through Social Justice.
Rev. Dr. Steve and Rev. Dr. Abigail and many people of all faith traditions came to hear the Women Janitors of San Diego share their stories. We support an pay raise and more safe work conditions!
***
Building Friendship and Understanding Through Education and Hospitality
Dialogue & Dessert at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego on Market St.
Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo spoke on Buddhism in this beautiful sanctuary. We always enjoy hearing her speak. She is a beautiful emissary for inclusiveness.
Lekshe is also a USD professor teaching Buddhism and World Religions.
***
SPRING SYMPOSIUMS –
Building bonds of friendship as we learn about each other through panels, lectures, dialogue and table activities
Panelists: Sydelle Enyeart, Unification; Mormon; Rabbi Nadav Caine, Judaism; Gurinder Singh, Sikh; Bob Pruchnik, Roman Catholic; Rev. Dt. Steve Albert, New Thought.
***
POWAY INTERFAITH TEAM
Building Interfaith Relations through a Shared Thanksgiving Service and Standing Together in the midst of turmoil and crisis
The Poway Interfaith Team (POINT) stands together with the Muslim Community and calls all people to bring an end to hate speech and actions against those who practice Islam.
POINT emphasizes the importance of joining other voices in a stand against acts of violence and acts of racial, religious, and cultural discrimination. We condemn acts of violence by radical groups who do not have a faith even though they claim they do.
The focus of The Poway Interfaith Team is to promote community awareness, and understanding of different faith traditions. Diversity and acceptance of our many faiths and cultures are the fabric of our nation’s tradition. There is strength through education and by standing in solidarity with others to promote understanding, peace and justice in this world. Educating ourselves about the true teachings of Islam will bring the understanding needed to separate what radicals believe and what true Muslims believe.
Saying terrorists practice the teachings of Islam is like saying the Klu Klux Klan practice the teachings of Christiantiy. Both are false and absurd.
Religious discrimination comes from misinterpreting holy writings; that only serves to harm all of humanity.
The Poway Interfaith Team is deeply concerned by these acts. We believe diverse faith traditions in our communities add to the richness of life. When we meet and learn more about those who have faith traditions other than our own, we find many more similarities rather than differences.
POINT stands with many others who believe God is Love, Compassion, and Order. God wants us to live in harmony with each other and, “to love one another as He has loved us.” (John 13:34). The Koran 25:63 says, “The servants of the Compassionate are they who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them they answer, ‘Peace!”
The Poway Interfaith Team calls on persons of all faiths to pray for civility and respect. We urge every citizen to discuss these unacceptable terrorist acts with your family and friends and even your neighbors to bring about greater harmony in our communities.
Peace, Blessings and Greater Understanding,
Abigail
Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert
Executive Director, Poway Interfaith Team