Being an interfaith organization has its challenges, especially around this time of year. Is a picture of pine trees on a thank-you card appropriate or is it too indicative of a Christmas tree? Which is the better well-wishing phrase: Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings?
But then there are days when you realize that being sensitive to multiple faith traditions doesn’t have to be all that hard.
Last night, there was a special holiday dinner at the Orr Center.
Let me set the scene for you. The Orr Center has a cozy, home-like feel. There’s a communal dining room with seating for 12 attached to a comfy living room with couches and a television. When I walked into the room last night, I was greeted by a Christmas tree glittering warmly in one corner of the living room, while at the head of the dining table stood a man wearing a yarmulke.
We were celebrating the second night of Hanukkah with the guests of the Orr Center – none of whom, to the best of my knowledge, are Jewish. But that didn’t slow them down a bit.
Our Executive Director, Myrna, and her husband Allan had agree to provide a special dinner for the guests and to share with them some of the history and significance of Hanukkah. The table was bedecked with a blue cloth and sprinkled with chocolate Hanukkah gelt and small dreidels. We all sat together as Allan explained the historical context of the holiday and the famous story of the miraculously long-lasting oil (if you don’t know the story, click here. It’s cool).
Allan lit two blue candles in the menorah and said a blessing,
and we shared wine (well, grape juice) and bread. Then came dinner of matzo ball soup, chicken, and potato pancakes with apple sauce. For dessert – donuts! Hanukkah meals traditionally include fried foods, to commemorate the oil in the story.
It was fun for me to watch the guests of the Orr Center as they shared in this celebration. Some were hesitant at first, a bit bemused by the Hebrew words, the unfamiliar story, and the new foods. But they got into it quickly. After a bit of glancing around to see who would go first, they were soon all enjoying the sparkling grape juice, heading back for seconds on the matzo ball soup, and dexterously spinning their dreidels.
Last night, there was a special holiday dinner at the Orr Center.
Let me set the scene for you. The Orr Center has a cozy, home-like feel. There’s a communal dining room with seating for 12 attached to a comfy living room with couches and a television. When I walked into the room last night, I was greeted by a Christmas tree glittering warmly in one corner of the living room, while at the head of the dining table stood a man wearing a yarmulke.We were celebrating the second night of Hanukkah with the guests of the Orr Center – none of whom, to the best of my knowledge, are Jewish. But that didn’t slow them down a bit.
Our Executive Director, Myrna, and her husband Allan had agree to provide a special dinner for the guests and to share with them some of the history and significance of Hanukkah. The table was bedecked with a blue cloth and sprinkled with chocolate Hanukkah gelt and small dreidels. We all sat together as Allan explained the historical context of the holiday and the famous story of the miraculously long-lasting oil (if you don’t know the story, click here. It’s cool).
Allan lit two blue candles in the menorah and said a blessing,
and we shared wine (well, grape juice) and bread. Then came dinner of matzo ball soup, chicken, and potato pancakes with apple sauce. For dessert – donuts! Hanukkah meals traditionally include fried foods, to commemorate the oil in the story.It was fun for me to watch the guests of the Orr Center as they shared in this celebration. Some were hesitant at first, a bit bemused by the Hebrew words, the unfamiliar story, and the new foods. But they got into it quickly. After a bit of glancing around to see who would go first, they were soon all enjoying the sparkling grape juice, heading back for seconds on the matzo ball soup, and dexterously spinning their dreidels.
It was a beautiful evening. A sharing of tradition and food and fellowship. And that’s what being interfaith is all about – sharing traditions, learning new ones, and above all, joining together in fellowship regardless of our varied backgrounds.
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