The world that can be, indeed.

Submitted by Rabbi Eric Linder

There is not one definition of what religion “does.” It is different things to different people, and often in the same faith. Of course, this doesn’t stop some from trying; the theologian Paul Tillich defines religion as one’s ‘ultimate concern.’ I like that.

But looking at it closer, it seems vague … ultimate concern? What is that?!

I think about my religious upbringing – going to Hebrew School as a young child, being bribed by my parents to attend a youth group conclave, taking college courses in Jewish mysticism, working at a Jewish Summer Camp … I think about all of these, and there’s one thing they have in common. They’ve helped me get from who I was to who I am. My purpose of religion, then? Religion helps move us from the world that is to the world that can be.

Normally there is a gap. In most areas of life, I can look to what I want something to be, rather than what it actually is, and there is a difference. And like everyone else, I have to make do, hoping for the best.

Last night, though, there was no gap. No separation. The world that is was the world that should be.

Three years ago I was interviewed for this job, as the Assistant Rabbi of Temple Israel, in Omaha, Nebraska. I was off-handedly told of a project called the Trifaith Initiative. Three years later, the dream of a visionary few has become the reality for a hopeful many. Like most meaningful things, change has been slow, as there have been challenges and obstacles. But not to our spirit; not to our hope, and not to the core belief in our souls – that we are stronger because of our diversity, and not in spite of it.

Success will undoubtedly be measured in numbers: 1000 people came to our event last night. Those people witnessed 3 different prayer services. 4 nationally renowned religious figures shared their thoughts on peace.

But, the true success lies between the numbers.

Like other moments that happen, you ‘had to be there’ to experience the sense of hope and strength that we felt last night. The real success of our project, though, is that you can be there. You can be open to hearing the ideas of others, even if you vehemently disagree. You can speak truth to power, while also doubting your own certainty of truth. And you can dream along with us.

The night ended with a version of what Jews call the Priestly Benediction. These words are a special blessing and said during various life cycle moments. They were chanted last night in three languages – Hebrew, English and Arabic. They were chanted by three different faiths, spanning time, geography, and theology. And we realized last night that by blessing each other, we in fact bless ourselves.

May God bless you and keep you.

May God cause a divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God always turn his presence upon you, and grant you peace.

The world that can be, indeed.

A remarkable night

The Dinner in Abraham’s Tent: Conversations on Peace, was a remarkable night. If you missed dinner, we have a solution for you — a replay of the live webcast.

To watch the webcast which runs just over an hour go to this link:
mms://209.200.118.182/tfi032709

Watch the Tri-Faith Promotion Video

Check out the coverage of our Tri-Faith Event in the Omaha World Herald


“Event promotes understanding among religions” Article in UNL’s Daily Nebraskan

Omaha Project is Attracting National Attention

Coalitions plans interfaith campus in Omaha NEW YORK (JTA)

About Abraham’s Tent
On March 27, 2009, leaders of the three faith groups who make up the Tri-Faith Initiative will be in Omaha to speak at the event. Rabbi Peter Knobel, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of The Islamic Society of North America and Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori of The Episcopal Church will meet in Omaha. The evening included evening prayer services for the three faith groups, followed by a dinner and conversation about peace in our time. Large screens and audio systems allowed 1000+ people to sit in on their conversation.

The historic program will bring members of the community together for worship, celebration and a dynamic conversation on the topic of Peace—a common theme in each faith. The Tri-Faith Initiative is a partnership of the three Abrahamic faith groups — Christianity, Judaism and Islam. A remarkable project is taking place in Omaha, Nebraska. The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, Temple Israel and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture have come together, planning to build a joint campus which will house a mosque, a temple and a church plus a shared facility on a large campus.

This is the only undertaking of its kind we know of in the world. On this site we will keep you in touch with the progress on the plans for the Tri-Faith campus and other news of successful interfaith projects around the nation and around the world.