The 7th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, held November 18th at Our Lady
of Refuge Roman Catholic Church, was uplifting and inspirational.

Father Mike Perry of OLR, Rabbi Kass of EMJC, Rev. Sheldon Hamlin of Church
of the Nativity, Pastor Scott Kershner of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, and Faruk
Wadud of Baitul Jannah Mosque all spoke about the value of our coming together
every year to celebrate and give thanks for the blessings we have experienced
through our interfaith activities.

The service included readings of Thanksgiving prayers of many faiths,
recitations from Deuteronomy in English, Spanish, Creole, and Hebrew, poetry
readings, readings from the works of Abraham Joshua Heschel, and the Prayer
for Peace from Siddur Sim Shalom. Music was provided by the EMJC and OLR
choirs, and Ladino selections were performed by Cantor Levine, Marjorie
Sanua, and Ben Lapidus.

Many who attended brought donations of canned and packaged food for the OLR
food pantry. You can continue to drop off food donations at the church or bring them
to the EMJC office. Much thanks to all who spoke, read, and sang, donated food, and helped create a truly memorable service.

Sally Hipscher