By Joseph Kellard
"The program is designed to bring the issue of ethics before the
community," explained Interfaith Association President Rabbi Bennett M. Hermann of Temple Emanu-el. "In order to do this, we decided to hold these meetings here at City Hall in order to bring ethics outside of the religious institutions and into the public. We are trying to break through the mentality that religious ethics is for one sphere but that it is separate in the public sphere. I would like our public sessions to get people to think more about ethical issues outside their place of worship."
Sister Ann's talk centered on what she described as "virtue ethics," such as faith, hope, charity, and fidelity. "In part, fidelity means not just going to a church or a synagogue, but that your practice what you learn there in your family life and in your community," she said.
Also in attendance for this talk were Ghazi Y. Khankan, director of Interfaith Affairs at the Islamic Center of Long Island, and Father Bob Splittgerber of St. John's Lutheran Church by the Sea.
The Interfaith Association has also held series on God and the views on Him from different religions, and Prayer Day, where each group described the mysticism behind their form of prayer or meditation.
The Interfaith Association includes representatives from the major faiths in Long Beach: Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Mormon, Hindu and Moslem. It was established decades ago but faded out. It was revived again eight years ago by Rabbi Hermann.
"I feel it is very important for the different faiths to inter-relate for the good of the community," he said. "We meet monthly at the houses of worship of the different religious groups."
Asked how the members of the Interfaith Association manage to reconcile their fundamental differences, Sister Ann said, "We don't focus on our differences, but together look at our ethical commonality for the common good."
Herman indicated that the Interfaith Association manages to overcome differences, such as the recognition of Jesus by Christians but not by Jewish people, and that it receives criticism for this by the more orthodox people within their faiths, and for its use of a public facility to hold religious-based meetings.
Sister Ann, who joined the Interfaith Association a year ago, described what she believes is at its core: "It's to learn about the other faiths and increase respect amongst each other and to make the community in Long Beach a better place to live."
The Interfaith Association has also been involved with various prominent religious and social matters in the community, such as the Kiwanis Club Interfaith Service and the city's youth services. It also hosts an annual interfaith Thanksgiving celebration and sponsors ongoing study and retreats for clergy and lay people.
For more information on the Interfaith Association, contact Rabbi Bennett at 431-4060.
