Reflections from South Africa-2

Reflections from South Africa-2

It was great to be with the leaders of CIIT CC in Cape Town. These members of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative are amazing people from whom we can learn a lot. ( All members of the CC were not present). A few of them were present at the World Parliament last year.

Our story telling continued till late night yesterday. As we were from various religious traditions , topics were numerous. The role of women in Islam, Judaism, Christianity etc came for discussion again and again, as Mohammed brought out the argument, why God always spoke only to men like Abraham and Moses?

I shared my bitter experience in organising the first Jewish- Christian Dialogue in Asia for the World Council of Churches. My long-time friend Dr.  Hans Ucko had asked me to be the local organiser. We had to face three problems at Cochin. A sabbath service at the Mattanchery Jewish synagogue was part of the program. There were 15 Jews and fifteen Christians in the group, including the first two women Rabbis from Israel.

Problem 1- Jews could not travel much distance on Saturday. So we had to find accommodation for one day near the Synagogue

Problem 2. There should be ten Jewish men to conduct a service. We had only seven men in our group. But luckily we could find three more from the Jewish community in Cochin.

Problem 3. Women were not allowed inside the synagogue . The women Rabbis threatened a boycott. We pleaded with the leaders and at last they permitted women to sit at the back and watch the service.

I never thought interfaith dialogue was so difficult a task , when I jumped at the opportunity of a great conference like this. That is the pain and joy of learning.

Regards,
Abraham