Building a Shelter of Peace Across the City
On Friday, January 20, CBST's Shabbat service kicked off the Shelter of Peace Weekend of Prayer and Learning. That Friday night, we welcomed many of our partners from the Campaign for Youth Shelter. We heard moving words from Rabbi Kleinbaum on our connection to homelessness and diaspora as Jews and our responsibility to take action. We also invited Jeremiah Wright, an Ali Forney Homeless youth advocate, to the bima to share some words of inspiration. He sent us home with the message to “keep spreading the love,” and to keep signing the petition!
Across across the city at Shabbat and Sabbath services all weekend long, a wonderful thing happened: clergy of all faiths stood together to speak one message. These clergy wove a story of love and compassion; of responsibility and morality; of action and a commitment to justice. People of faith heard throughout New York City this weekend that they cannot stand idly by and let 3,800 youth sleep in the cold any longer. And they learned that they can be part of the solution.
Rabbi Elizabeth Wood, from the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, spoke these moving words to her congregation:
"There is so much in this world that needs our attention and it can feel overwhelming at times. But it is our job, our obligation, as Jews and as human beings not to ignore these problems. Abraham did not ignore it. He responded with his words and so can you. Joseph did not ignore it, and he fought for a better life for himself and his family and his community. Moses did not ignore it, and he used his words, his message from God, and his actions. We cannot ignore those teens, those children of God, living in our midst, freezing and hungry and in danger on the streets each and every night. Use your words, use your faith, use your time and energy."
You can find the rest of her sermon here , at Rabbi Wood's blog.
Reverend Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas from the Riverside Church in the City of New York also called his community to action:
"Our elected officials should be encouraged and, if necessary, pressured to rise above the barricades of social bigotry to an exalted awareness that the strength of any society is based upon its ability to enable its most disabled members."
The faith community has a powerful voice. When we care enough to sign a petition, make a phone call, and show up in Albany to put pressure on our government, we are a force to be reckoned with.
Thank you to Rabbi Wood, Reverend Dr. Thomas, and all of you who shared your pulpit with Shelter of Peace, or shared the messages with your congregations by in meetings, bulletins, newsletters, or through any other means. Remember to visit the website regularly for updates and further opportunities for participation, and sign the urgent petition calling on Governor Cuomo to fund vital beds for homeless youth.
Kol Hakavod to all the participating congregations:
The Shul of New York
Town and Village Synagogue
Park Slope Jewish Center
Bay Ridge Jewish Center
Unity Fellowship Church of Christ NYC
The Riverside Church
Judson Memorial Church
All Angels Church
Restoration Temple Ministries
Presbyterian Welcome
LGBT FaithLeaders of African Descent
Congregation Beth Elohim
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills
Central Synagogue
Temple Shaaray Tefila
St. John's Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Romemu
Fort Washington Collegiate Church
B'nai Jeshurun
Middle Collegiate Church
...and more
