HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT A PRIEST, A RABBI...
"God gave us an opportunity to truly learn about each other."
Adam Raskin, a rabbi at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Md., knew how difficult the situation was for Afghan refugees in the Washington region.
Since the historic airlift out of Kabul last year, more than 3,700 Afghan evacuees have been resettled in the District, Maryland and Virginia, overwhelming social service agencies and leaving some refugee families waiting for housing and in limbo.
Raskin and his congregants decided to help by sponsoring a refugee family.
“We thought it was very much in line with our values,” Raskin said. “For Jews, many of whom were refugees from places of persecution, there is a special sensitivity for this issue.”
As members of the congregation began researching the resettlement process, they quickly learned how complicated it can be, and how many resources are required.
“We could do this on our own,” Raskin recalled thinking to himself, “but wouldn’t it be amazing to collaborate with a Christian and Muslim congregation?”
His idea was to “demonstrate to the family what kind of country they’ve relocated to.”
Raskin said he wanted the group to “demonstrate to the family what kind of country they’ve relocated to.”
“This is a country where religions don’t have to be at odds with each other, but actually where religious communities collaborate and find common ground,” Raskin said.
He contacted St. Francis Episcopal Church and the Islamic Community Center of Potomac to gauge their interest in an interfaith initiative, and both congregations were enthusiastically on board.
“We definitely wanted to get involved,” said Sultan Chowdhury, who was one of the founding members of the Islamic center, and currently serves as its trustee. “God gave us an opportunity to truly learn about each other. It is wonderful to see how close we are.”
Kathy Herrmann, the parish life coordinator at St. Francis, agreed.
“I have felt such a kinship with them and such a warmth and love emanating from the other two,” she said. “We all have the same goal to help this family become acclimated and feel the love that we have for them.”
“We all have the same goal to help this family become acclimated and feel the love that we have for them...READ MORE
