Rabbinic Reflections on the World Parliament of Religions
Jonathan Seidel . Sept 11, 2023 - just before Rosh HaShana - A Jewish New Year message
Its Sept 11 once again and it’s part of my own history to remember the horrible attack on our country 22 years ago, in the year that many of our students were born. It was only on month since my family and I arrived to begin a new life in Oregon…In October of that year I was part of the planning committee to organize a memorial and interfaith service in Eugene dedicated to grieving and also to peace. I’d like to share a few words about my latest powerful and transformational experience in the world of interfaith/ interpath work.
This past month I attend 6 days of the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, held at the massive McCormick place conference center and I’d like to share some of my observations, extraordinary experiences and hope for the future with you here.
The World Parliament was established in Chicago in 1893 and saw the World’s first interfaith gathering on a global scale with thousands attending from across the planet. North Americans and many Europeans were treated to presentations by African, South Asian, Middle Eastern and Pacific religious teachers and leaders in a decidedly colonial expression of sharing that had lasting and large ramifications for Interfaith” movements. The Chicago gathering was the last for a hundred years (largely because of global conflict) and in 1893 once again the Parliament met in 1993.. It has met roughly every four years since and my first was in 2015 in Salt Lake City – hosted by LDS so graciously. This past August I chose to attend as a representative of the Oregon Board of Rabbis (of which I am chair) and as President of the Oregon Interfaith Hub, a local organisation which creates services and liturgical experiences and collaborates with statewide efforts for Justice on many fronts.
Some highlights of my week at the WPR
An excellent discussion of current Catholic – Jewish efforts towards combating anti semitism in North America presented by the New York Archdiocese and the
American Jewish committee. Perhaps people are not aware but that the overwhelming majority of hate crimes are directed against Jewish institutions…the session was sobering.
There were many moments of terrible decision-making opportunities: do I view a film on Gandhi’s wife and her work as an early feminist/activist in India? Or attend a session on Druidic spirituality, Christianity and psychedelics? (I’ll let you guess which one I participated in ) Or perhaps - do I attend a Sikh dharma and kirtan session or a session on Palestinian Christian activism against the Israeli occupation ? Most but not all sessions (how could everything be fantastic?) were exhillerating and refreshing …including many covering the matrix of science and spirituality. So hard to choose …
One of the most important sessions I attended was presented by two fellow Eugenians – “Swords into Plowshares” – a project based in UNESCO that is attempting to convince nations to donate 1% of their GDP to peace-making, resources for the impoverished, food justice and other social justice work that would make Dorothy Day and Abraham Joshua Heschel happy. There
is so MUCH we can do in converting small percentages of the enormous military budgets into assistance for health, food, education and medical needs on this planet – let alone to fund more alternative energy projects in light of the current quasi apocalptic climate crisis and emergency
Another inspiring and rather delightful event was attending “Langhar” the free lunch donated by the British Sikh community that fed thousands of us each day (and provided many opportunities for connection) The food was delicious as well.
Throughout the gathering of WPR I was thrilled to hear dozens of amazing speakers for peace and social justice, including a remarkable sermon-like welcoming presentation by the current mayor of Chicago, the honoring of Rev Jesse Jackson for a lifetime of service and finally the Cosmic Mass officiated by Rev Matthew Fox. In the latter ritual I was called up to offer the blessing over the wine and the bread. Matthew introduced me as a “stand-in” essentially for Jesus at the Last Supper (or Passover meal, depending upon which Gospel author you are following) a re-enactor of the Kiddush and Motzi. This
was followed by ecstatic dancing for another hour and 300 people of all ages were in the room having a post Covid great time ( Praise the Holy One that I didn’t contract yet another episode) Participating in this Mass was a first for me, and my initial voyage into this extraordinary moment of celebrating the Sacred Earth and celebrating the Divine both transcendent and immanent. A true catalytic interfaith moment for me .
It has been an honor to teach at UP and I look forward to speaking with you about future interfaith programing that affirms the integrity of continuing Catholic – Jewish and multiplex spiritual experience as we work together in Portland for justice and to implement the Mitzvah of healing the sick, protecting the marginalized, advocating for democracy throughout the world, protecting our planet from destruction and educating the next generation. From the Social Gospel taken from the powerful and empowering words of Jesus to the commensurate and congruent message of Tikkun Olam – each other and fixing the broken world, the imperative right now is upon us.
Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Seidel is currently the Minyan Rabbi-in-Residence adj faculty in the dept of Theology at UP, current chair of the Oregon Board of Rabbis as well as President of the Oregon Interfaith. He spends time between California, Oregon and the East Coast