30 Sep We were so grateful to welcome Congregation Hakafa this September
Multifaith solidarity is something our congregation has been committed to for a long time. One of the ways we’ve lived that out is by offering our sanctuary to Congregation Hakafa to use on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
We’ve done this since 2016 and were privileged to do it again this year on September 6-7 for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. And on September 15-16 for Yom Kippur, the “day of atonement.”
Because of the pandemic, Hakafa decided to Livestream their services year. Rabbi Bruce Elder, the President of the Congregation, and the musicians gathered in our sanctuary to lead these beautiful and moving experiences.
This partnership between WCC and Hakafa (Hebrew for encirclement) is one that has extended beyond Hakafa’s presence in our building each fall. Our faith communities have participated in two mission trips together (along with the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove) – one to Houston to repair and build homes following Hurricane Harvey and one to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas to minister to migrants.
Rabbi Elder has also been a frequent (and inspiring!) presenter at Sunday morning Spiritual Enrichment. Also, Hakafa has held its Friday evening services at WCC this summer.
At our Open House on Sunday, September 12 our congregation renewed our commitment to be a “House of Worship for All People.” And to be a truly Open House. Open to questions and wonder. Faith and doubt. Open to honestly opening up with each other. Open to changes we might need in our lives to be truly anti-racist. Open to real inclusion. Open to solidarity with those of other faiths.
This relationship through the years with Congregation Hakafa has taught us so much about what blessings are to be found in being an Open House and of being open to those of other faiths, and to different ways of worshiping and experiencing God. It’s something we’re truly grateful for.