Tent of Abraham Event Held

In October, 2007, WTB sponsored, "Journey to the Tent of Abraham: The First Step." More than 75 people walked in the University Area between sites of various faith traditions. University United Methodist Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Temple Society of Concord, Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, Alibrandi Catholic Center and the Islamic Society of Central New York.

Temple Society of Concord was one of several congregations that welcomed us on our walk.

At each site, members of the the congregation welcomed us to come in, learn and enjoy a characteristic ritual or program.

The walk culminated at Syracuse University's HendricksChapel, a worship center that honors all religious and spiritual traditions and that promotes interfaith understanding and cooperation. There we heard brief uplifting messages from leaders of our local faith communities. We entered Hendrickes Chapel through a tent open on all four sides.

This tent is inspired by the story of the Tent of Abraham (told in the Bible's Book of Genesis and in many part s of the Qur'an) where everyone, even a stranger, was welcomed with kindness and hospitality. Walking through this tent was part of a powerful symbolic coming-together of al peoples from all faith traditions.

This event marked the third year in which WTB focused a fall program on the unusual confluence of holy days in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and various non-Abrahamic faith traditions, including Bahai, Hinduism, and Native American. Because of the unique calendars, this confluence will not occur again for another 30 years.

In creating these programs, WTB wa inspired by a book, "The Tent of Abraham: Storise of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians and Muslims." coauthored by Joan Chittister, OSB; Murshik Saadi Shakur Chishti; and Rabbi Arthur Waskow

© 2009 Women Transcending Boundaries, Inc.