Adherents of different faiths seek to break down barriers at dinner

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

More than 200 Christians, Jews, Muslims and Baha’is joined together in an interfaith dinner Saturday night at Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville.

Highlights included a sabbath afternoon worship service, speakers, blessings and songs.

Event co-chairman Bernie Newman said they were thrilled at the response, which exceeded expectations.

“We have never done anything like this before,” he said. “Other faiths regularly visit us, but this is the first time we have put on a dinner like this. A lot of people that come here want to get a deeper understanding of their own faith because the roots of many faiths stem from Judaism.”

Congregation representatives were invited to experience Ramadan at the Islamic Center of Naperville last summer.

“That was one of the inspirations for this event,” said Newman. “The idea is to experience fellowship and dialogue. It’s hard to hate a religion when you know someone who practices it. The idea is to form friendships with people from other faiths.”

Master of Ceremonies Mimi Qunell urged guests to make a paradigm shift. She said usually people talk about their similarities and differences looking at life in black or white.

“I’d like to invite you into the gray,” she said. “The lines we draw are not dividing lines at all … they are the places we are meant to touch.”

Congregation Rabbi Marc Rudolph said religion divides people around the world. “In our community, learning about each other’s religions brings us together. What you do not know, you fear. Occasions like this are opportunities to bring light into the world and to dispel darkness, ignorance and fear.”

Congregation Cantor Hasha Musha Perman sang the traditional grace after meals in Aramaic, English, Spanish and Arabic.

“Music is a universal language,” she said. “This is a clear nexus of three religions that are here this evening, and it’s fun!”

Hasein Mansy of the Islamic Center of Naperville believes a successful interfaith effort locally sends a message to the rest of the world.

“Unfortunately, in today’s world, there is an abundance of mistrust, ignorance, fear, injustice, and violence,” Mansy said. “We hope that a successful interfaith effort in Naperville could serve as a role model for the world, showing that by goodwill, tolerance and open-mindedness, they can also succeed.”

According to Nizar Jiwani of Ismaili Jamatkhana, Naperville is an ideal place for interfaith dialogue.

“Having intelligent and informed discussions is a major part of a civil society, and this dinner is a perfect example,” he said. “These dinners are a great way to build understanding between religious groups and to promote goodwill.”

The Rev. Lynn Pries, chaplain of North Central College, said he thought opportunities like this were vital.

“We need to know each other to work together for common concerns such as helping hungry people, promoting peace, reducing violence and responding to emergencies,” he said. “I benefit from learning about the religious traditions of others.”

Rob Dosenbach, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Naperville, believes the time has come for a fundamental change in the way different religions relate to one another.

“When you attend interfaith events, meet and talk with people of other faiths, you can remove the label and just see people. Slowly the veils begin to fall away, veils that separate you from others,” he said.

The Rev. Mark Winters of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Naperville says the diverse faith community is one of the things he likes about Naperville. “It’s not always easy, but it presents us all with a great opportunity to build understanding,” he said.

“Interfaith dialogue and collaboration is crucial in order to counter those who would exploit people’s fears and ignorance about other religious faiths. The more we can do to help overcome this fear and ignorance the better chance we will have of ‘forming a more perfect union.’”

“I am grateful for Congregation Beth Shalom’s efforts to build bridges between faith communities in Naperville and I have treasured the opportunities to work with members of CBS over the years,” said Tom Cordaro, justice and outreach minister at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Naperville.