Religious faiths gather to overcome 'bigotry'

Announcement - Florida Catholic - 01/10/07

To mark the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to a Rome synagogue, Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders will come together Jan. 17 at Miami Beach's Temple Emanu El for a program of interfaith discussion aimed at building closer ties and mutual understanding between the various faith groups in south Florida.

"Miami has a historical role in helping to improve interfaith relations," said Don Bierman, chairman of the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews. "What we are doing now may well help to write the next chapter in how people of different religions can work together to overcome bias, bigotry and racism."

"When Pope John Paul II wanted to improve relationships between Catholics and the Jewish community, he came to Miami for an interfaith exchange," said Father Patrick O'Neill, director of the Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations for the Archdiocese of Miami and a member of the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews.

"Many remember that in the days of Rabbi Irving Lehrman, Temple Emanu El was a gathering place for those committed to fostering better relations. Today, as we commemorate the anniversary of the pope's visit to the synagogue in Rome, we are sitting down with Jews, Muslims and Christians at Temple Emanu El to think about how we can hasten the future of improved relations between all people of faith," Father O'Neill said.

Among the religious leaders taking part in the discussion will be Archbishop John C. Favalora, Imam Nasir Ahmad and Rabbi Fred Klein.

The host will be Rabbi Kliel Rose, senior rabbi of Temple Emanu El. Jim Howe of the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews will moderate the discussion.

The interfaith discussion is a follow-up to a pilot project to reduce anti-Semitism that kicked off with a Mass Sept. 17 at St. Mary Cathedral. The project calls for the worldwide distribution of a four-page pamphlet, "Pope John Paul II and the Jews," which recounts the pope's historic outreach toward the Jewish people.

Temple Emanu El is at 1701 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Public parking is available on Washington Avenue to the north of the temple.