by Jessica Berman
Or Hadash Overseas Coordinator
On Monday January 12th, a positive step towards peace was made when Or Hadash together with the Catholic Focolare Movement organized an interfaith prayer service for peace with Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The service was held at Stella Maris, a well known Carmelite monestary in Haifa, and was considered by many to be a very important event. The service, a first of its kind to take place in Haifa, was especially eventful because it was both arranged and took place during a time of war, and focused on praying for peace through the songs and psalms of each culture. Among the clergy and organizers were Rabbi Dr. Edgar Nof of Or Hadash; Father Renato Rosso of the Carmel school in Haifa; Father Yousef Rizek, a Latin Parish priest of Shifa Amer; an Iman from the city of Furades, Israel; and Corres and Christina Chayat from the Focolore Church in Haifa.

The service was lead in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, and was reported on by three Haifa newspapers: Yediot Haifa, Maariv Haifa, and Kol Bo.  Also in attendance was Or Hadash Temple Administrator, Ami Perelman; Or Hadash Vice President, Mirjam Jurmann; Temple Shalom of Newton, MA Director of Lifelong Jewish Learning, Julie Vanek; Active Or Hadash member and honorary interfaith liason, Earl Sugarman; and many other loyal Or Hadash members.

Towards the end of the service, Or Hadash was able to present the Focolare group with toys and books that were donated by Or Hadash sister congregations of American Reform Jews, for transport to the children of Gaza via the Focolare church group inside the strip. The service itself featured beautiful Arabic hymns, sung bv the Focolare choir, and ended with a candle lit song session outside the church at a statue of three angels that represent the patriarchs of the three religions. Here the clergy expressed their messages of hope for the future.

Everyone present agreed that the intermingling of the three groups was a much welcomed step in the right direction amidst the unrest currently occurring in the country. Through this, we felt a sense of hope and brotherhood, which proved that we are all human and that we are all connected. As Or Hadash board member Dr. Jesse Lachter said, "We hope that this will be the first of many similar events in the future".  On Friday January 15th, we will also pray for Israeli soldiers (many of whom are members of Or Hadash) who are bravely fighting in the conflict. Additionally, we will also pray for a fast and and peaceful end to the difficult war that has affected us all so much

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