Members of the Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and a number of faiths gathered Sunday afternoon for an interfaith prayer service at Temple B'rith Kodesh.
Organizers only got to work planning the event about 5 days ago according to Senior Rabbi at Temple B'rith Kodesh Peter Stein, but they felt the gathering was important in light of recent events involving discrimination and President Trump's immigration ban.
"With a distinctly religious voice, we can say that we want to welcome those who may be different some how, those who are vulnerable, those who are afraid. We as a religious community, across all the religious traditions are standing together to welcome those who are in need, welcome those who are fleeing from danger, from poverty, from war; and to help them find a home here."
The event was titled "Welcoming the Stranger." Prince Singh, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester said these gatherings are important to find and celebrate common ground.
"What it shows me is that religion at its best is an opportunity to bring us together in the midst of the differences we share. We are a diverse community of faiths that are coming together, but we have a sense of commonality that we share."
By the time the service started, it was standing room only, as some members watched from the hallway outside the temple. Rabbi Stein said he hopes this service is the beginning of continued public conversations, and said that the focus of the service was on a call to action.
"It’s anything from encouraging people to build a friendship or a relationship, sharing a meal with someone of a different race or a different religious tradition. The tradition that many people have taken on of wearing the safety pin to show they're open and accessible, to broader items about engaging in advocacy work, engaging in different ways of expressing opinions to the decision makers, to the elected officials.”
Organizers agreed that this service was not meant to be a one-time event, and Dr. Mohammad Rumi, Trustee of the Islamic Center of Rochester said the best way to move forward is through education.
"Ignorance breeds fear. So education is important. And all of us need to educate ourselves."
The Islamic Center of Rochester holds ongoing interfaith sessions and learning programs. Their next event is a lecture in March.