The following is a local story from Victoria, as told by the Rev. Dr Lorraine Parkinson.
Interfaith Friends
In October 2005 the Leo Baeck Jewish synagogue community in Kew, Melbourne, invited Muslims to a combined dinner to mark the ending of fasts observed in both communities. For the Muslims it was the end of a day of fasting during the month of Ramadan. For the Jews it marked the end of fasting during the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). The fast observed then is the 24-hour Fast of Gedaliah, which laments the assassination of the righteous governor of Judah. Gedaliah’s assassination led to the destruction of the First Temple. Christians from surrounding areas were invited to share in the dinner.
One such group came from St Aidan’s Uniting Church. They were seated at a table with Jewish and Muslim women, and found it a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. In December of that year the Christian and Jewish women from that table got together for their first Interfaith Lunch. They called themselves Interfaith Friends, and for five years they have met monthly in each others’ homes. Lunch has now become afternoon tea, but the hospitality in each home has continued its open-hearted warmth. They are still hopeful that they will be joined by Muslim women for a three-way dialogue.
The meetings include personal news about each person’s family, health and travel, as friends do! Also there is an intentional discussion about aspects of Judaism and Christianity. People bring books and articles to share and take turns to speak about particular topics related to their faith. In short, they share their faith with each other as they share their friendship. In the spirit of true dialogue, the discussions are carried out in a respectful manner, with genuine interest in what is important for the other. Because of that, this group is doing well what many ‘official dialogues’ struggle to accomplish – promoting growth in understanding and personal harmony between representatives of two faiths. I am privileged to be a part of that group.
(Rev Dr) Lorraine Parkinson