The East Midwood Jewish Center, Our Lady of Refuge Church, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church and the Baitul Jannah Mosque joined together in a service emphasizing our shared humanity in Adam and Eve, our shared heritage in Abraham and our shared traditions reflected in our desire to give thanks to God. Rabbi Alvin Kass spoke on behalf of the EMJC, Our Lady of Refuge Church was represented by Father Michael Perry, the Reverend Scott Kirschner spoke on behalf of St. Stephens's Lutheran Church, and Aslam al-Azhari spoke on behalf of Imam Farouk Wadud of the Baitul Jannah Mosque. Channel 12 was on hand to record portions of this event for the wider public.

Readings from Deuteronomy and Psalms, poetry and musical interludes guided by the inimitable Cantor Sam Levine of the EMJC as well as Our Lady of Refuge Choir, directed by Glen Balck, led a festive and joyful air to this ever enlarging gathering. Cantor Sam Levine and Marjorie Sanua treated all present to several beautiful Ladino duets, including their signature piece, the moving Ein Keleheinu prayer. A delicious collation followed the festivities.

Many kudos to Sally Hipscher, Celia Deutsch, Sandy Goldhaber, Loretta Lucas, Toby Sanchez, Judy Tolbert and Roberta Wallach for their efforts in organizing this event, as well as Joanne Honigman for designing the interfaith program. Thanks as well to all who contributed to the food pantry which now serves several hundred families every week at Our Lady of Refuge Church.

We remind all that need knows no holiday season, and donations are accepted here on a continuing basis: In addition to food, we are looking for a few good people to donate their time. Volunteers are needed to help at the Our Lady of Refuge Food Pantry and Women's Shelter. If you have time during the day, Tuesday afternoons and/or Wednesday mornings, your help at the Food Pantry will be appreciated. The Food Pantry serves 175-250 clients per week, providing much needed dry, canned, and packaged food to our neighbors in the Flatbush, Midwood, and West Midwood area. Anyone interested in helping to pack the food for distribution or helping with distribution at the Church on Foster and Ocean Avenues, can contact Judy Agard of OLR, at 718-434-2090. Volunteering at the OLR Women's Shelter on Sunday evenings between 8:00 and 10:00 PM can involve setting up cots, laying out linens, providing a light meal and snack, or just chatting with the women. Just a short visit can make a huge difference in the lives of those who are experiencing personal challenges. If you are interested in volunteering to help the Women's Shelter contact Sally Hipscher at 718-338-3571. Also, please give blood at the Interfaith Committee's annual blood drive, on January 14th, 2007, from 9:00am to 2:30pm, in the Grand Ballroom. For more information, click here.

View the 5th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service program here. (140k pdf, requires acrobat reader)