Blog Posts

History – Challenge Program

February 11, 2020

In 1960 two religious leaders began a journey to understand and know one another. One was a Rabbi and one a Roman Catholic Priest. Rabbi Raphael Levine, serving Temple De Hirsh Sinai, and Father William Treacy, serving the Archdiocese of Seattle, began a warm friendship that enabled them to see each other as a part…

Read More

Anacortes City Council Resolution

February 9, 2020

Thank you to the City Council of Anacortes who voted 6 to 1 to approve resolution 2060, the 35 people who showed up in support and the 8 people who spoke. Justice Kennedy wrote that while hate speech (not including intimidation or threats) needs a remedy and a safeguard: “… our reliance must be on…

Read More

Proud of Our Democracy

February 9, 2020

I am so proud to see democracy in action at the with the Police Chiefs of the Eastside meeting with the Muslim community members on Thursday night. My friend Mohamad and the good folks in the Muslim Community Resource Center did a great job of bringing all these folks together. The Q&A handled some tough…

Read More

God is Re-Membering Us

February 9, 2020

Today we are all full of grief as yet another house of worship was targeted by a person infected with white supremacy. Today we stand in solidarity with the Muslims of Christ Church, New Zealand. Today we stand in solidarity with Muslims all over the world – hate crimes are not just perpetrated against their…

Read More

After Christ Church

February 9, 2020

March 15, 2019 · It was a moving experience to attend prayers at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound today. Right away I noticed Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg and friends with supportive signs. Many people smiled to see friends supporting them. Others teared up. One woman told me that she had been feeling so alone- but…

Read More

Mass of Remembrance for Shri Lanka

February 9, 2020

The Mass in Remembrance of the victims of the violence in Sri Lanka last night was very beautiful and moving. It was appropriate for this event to be held in a Roman Catholic setting, as most of the victims were themselves Catholic – it was the best choice by far to bring healing to those…

Read More

Shadow of Dehumanization

February 9, 2020

I began working on a farm when I was in sixth grade. One of the tasks I was assigned a few years later was to take down some barbed wire fencing. There were miles of it. I would go out with good hardy gloves, pull out the “U” nails from the fence posts for about…

Read More

Berlin Monument and our Monumental Task

February 9, 2020

  When we were in Berlin, we stumbled upon this monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It was an amazing experience. The monument is set up with cement monoliths on a grid. When I walked in, they were up to my knees. As I moved in, however I begin to sink down and the…

Read More

Pendulum Passivity

February 9, 2020

I don’t believe in “Pendulum Passivity.” Since I resigned from serving congregations and started Neighbors in Faith (now a part of Paths to Understanding), many people and many pastors have told me: “History is a pendulum. First it swings one way and then it swings the other. The white nationalism we are seeing now will…

Read More
Share