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Interfaith Symposium Seeks To Promote Dialog

Second symposium will bring together people of different faiths and backgrounds

 

The second Interfaith Symposium seeks to build on the success of the first gathering held in March that attracted more than 250 people. The symposium on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who want to learn more other religions, holidays, prayers, customs and their history. 

Martha Siegel, a symposium organizer, said the objective is to bring people of different backgrounds together and give them a chance to speak with each other as a step toward promoting peace and understanding.  The symposiums developed from meetings of the Nyack Interfaith Clergy Association, which looks at various ways to promote interfaith discussion.

“The goals of the symposium are to educate on different faiths, history and worship and community to give people a chance to ask questions and express their own particular concerns about what may be in a different faith and to intermingle informally to get to know each other as people,” said Siegel. 

The New City resident explained those attending the Sunday Evensong Service at Grace Episcopal Church in Nyack will have a chance to learn about the music-based worship service and what the different parts of it mean. Also known as Vespers, it is based on “Anglican tradition, which traces it roots to the early church, monastic Roman Catholic and early Reformation communities.”  It includes song, psalmody, reading scripture and prayer. Siegel described the setting of the church as a “magnificent, peaceful place to be.”

Those attending can participate in the service to the extent they are comfortable. Space will be provided for Maghrip Prayers at 6 p.m. Following the service, there will be a comment and question session and an informal reception for people to talk casually.

“People can get to know each other on a personal level which is so vital to promote understanding among people, understanding among religions,” said Siegel, who is a member of Temple Beth Torah of Upper Nyack.

Siegel said she got involved because she feels it is important for people to gain knowledge about other cultures.

“We need to bring an understanding of each other, each other’s religions,” she said. 

The first Interfaith Symposium drew more than 250 people to the Islamic Center in Valley Cottage. According to Siegel, it encouraged some people to attend Ramadan services and a Passover Seder to learn more about other religions.

In addition to the Islamic Center, Grace Episcopal Church and Temple Beth Torah, the other participating houses of worship are: Congregation Sons of Israel, First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, First Reformed Church of Nyack, St. Ann’s Catholic Church and Temple Beth Torah.   Siegel said the next symposium is already in the planning stages and Temple Beth Torah and Congregation Sons of Israel will host a joint session.

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Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.