A Wonderful Ecumenical Story

This is a true story that should make every American that reads it very proud.  Back in late September of 2009, a Brooklyn synagogue, Beth Elohim, found that they had a serious problem. A large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling of the 100-year old building.  Investigation revealed that the roof of the synagogue was in danger of collapsing. Talk about absolutely rotten luck.  This took place just three days before the celebration of Yom Kippur. Fortunately, (only in America) the synagogue’s Rabbi, Andy Bachman, was very good friends with the Rev. Daniel Meeter of the Old First Reformed Church located just one block away.  The good Reverend Meeter told the Rabbi that the synagogue’s congregation was welcome to use the church for a Sunday night service, and about 1,000 people were in attendance that night.  I understand that these two fine clergymen are the very best of friends and I think that is a very good thing.

In case anyone doesn't fully appreciate what an extraordinary thing that is; you might want to read about repeated incidents in recent years in Egypt and other Muslim countries. Under Sharia law, Muslims may *tolerate* Christians and Jews (the “people of the book”), but one of the restrictions placed on them is that no church or synagogue is to be repaired in any way, *ever*.  Sadly, quite a few Muslims are willing to use lethal force to prevent the repair of non-Muslim houses of worship.  

I’m not a religious person, but if I were I think it would be appropriate to say, “God bless America!”