Jews in interfaith forum
Over 50 young religious leaders from throughout Sydney, including many Jews, gathered on Sunday at the Museum of Sydney for a historic interfaith solidarity forum to promote compassion.
Danielle Lauren with Rabbi Mendel Kastel
This event was organised by Jewish social activist and filmmaker, Danielle Lauren. It was a project of the worldwide TED movement (Technology. Education. Design), a private non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the power of love, forgiveness and compassion to communities everywhere. www.ted.com
It coincided with similar TED forums around the world to celebrate the signing of the “Charter for Compassion.” The Charter supports the golden rule – “To treat others like you would wish to be treated.” www.charterforcompassion.org
The following religious representatives gave passionate speeches about compassion from their perspectives:
Bhante Sujato – Buddhist
Professor William Foley – Buddhist
Reverend Seforosa Carroll – Christian
Rabbi Mendel Kastel – Jewish
Kuranda Seyit – Muslim
Dr Mehravar Marzbani – Zoroastrian
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, the CEO of The Jewish House, said “I am very passionate about compassion. It’s a basic part of Judaism. It’s the way I strive to live my life and I encourage others to do the same.”
“It was an honour to be part of the launch of the Charter both here and internationally.”
Also in attendance were respected Jewish interfaith activist, Jeremy Jones and the Limmud-Oz Co-ordinator, Michael Misrachi.
Danielle Lauren, who gave the opening and closing addresses, said “I still have faith in humanity – as long as we hold leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa or Ghandi as worthy recipients of our admiration and respect then all is not lost.”
“I hope the launch of the Charter for Compassion marks a new chapter in the history of humanity – where we use the principles of religion to bring us together instead of pull us apart.”
“I look forward to engaging more young Jewish leaders to help spread the messages of the Charter.”
May I suggest that jewish people re-read the Book of Maccabees. What would Mattathias have done?