Multi-Faith Partnership Mission Demonstrates Power In Unity

In a world fraught with conflict and inadequate support for humanitarian needs, three local faith-based organizations set a remarkable precedent last January: a unified humanitarian trip to offer disaster relief in Houston. They represent a unique and first multi-faith partnership mission, with important unifying goals.

The memorable trip, January 22-26, 2018, involved Congregation Hakafa, The Muslim Community Center of Morton Grove and Winnetka Congregational Church. They intentionally collaborated to rebuild homes hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. They also wanted to cultivate a deep partnership between their respective faith communities and embody a larger story about the core of religion being inclusion, humility and love in action.

The memorable trip covered five days -- January 22-26 -- and involved 20 volunteers. Led by Rabbi Bruce Elder, Asif Masood and Reverend Jeff Braun, their shared goals were: (1) Serve those whose lives were profoundly upset by Hurricane Harvey. (2) Partner in every aspect of the trip with their sisters and brothers of the three faith traditions. (3) Demonstrate through action, about the power of religion in bringing people together, honoring different faith traditions.

“God was the planter, and I happened to be gladly listening,” said Reverend Braun. Almost as soon as Reverend Braun asked his congregation to help Houston rebuild, the idea arose to do this not as an individual faith community, but rather, as part of a multi-faith partnership.

Braun reached out to his colleagues at Hakafa and the Muslim Community Center. After an enthusiastic response, the three faith communities began planning.

The interfaith group partnered with SBP (formerly St. Bernard Project), a non-profit disaster relief organization formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and now serving affected communities across the country.

The group’s work involved demolition, clean up, preparation for construction and basic construction. A contingent of Americorps volunteers, who work closely with SBP, were on site to oversee the work, make sure materials were delivered and be of assistance.

“It’s a pretty rare thing,” said Masood about the nature of this outreach. “We thought about what we wanted to do as a group. We were intentional about driving and staying together. We rented out two homes that we split – not by religion but evenly across people. I got a lot out of the trip. We met as a group every night, having dialogue, and getting to connect as people.”

Elder expressed his gratitude. “I learned how profound an effect the simplest gestures can have. The three faith traditions doing work allowed us to get to know each other, opening up the possibility of – ‘Wow! We can do this together.’ We can learn from each other and just be. What causes differences to be negative? Differences are to be cherished and celebrated. Now, I’m hanging out with Asif and Jeff as brothers. I can honestly say, that’s been a positive impact on my life!”

Masood reflected, “You’ll only have empathy with people when you get to know them and they get to know us. Rumi talks about a way to show love for God is to show love for God’s creation. That means getting to know ALL of God’s creation… getting to know these folks. I got to see Jeff and Bruce – Reverend and Rabbi - as people. I got to see them as humanity, like me. Religion almost went to the wayside. We did talk about religion. But that wasn’t the important piece. It was about what’s important to you? It’s about appreciating the differences we have.”

The activities of work heightened the feeling of unity. Braun remarked, “Everything was respectfully focused on the homeowners we were serving. We were reminded this is not about us, but for whom we are doing the work. Our energy focused on renovating the home and helping people come home.

“It’s such a spiritual high. Such fellowship. The work itself was mundane. You start scrubbing these beams until the mold comes off. Very little of the conversation is religious. You talk of your family life… memories growing up… commiserating about how your hand hurts from holding a brush. Here we are – utterly the same in our differences, bonded as children of God. It’s so effortless, without pretense.”

As part of the trip, Asif arranged a visit to the largest mosque in Houston. The multi-faith team was treated to a tour, a chance to observe evening prayers, a special dinner, and then a chance to connect with numerous mosque members. At dinner, volunteers learned how Masjid Al Salam, the Houston-area mosque, gladly opened its doors and gymnasium to house and feed over 500 neighbors displaced by the flooding.

“In the U.S., the Muslim community can be unfairly ostracized,” added Braun. “Yet, there they were opening their doors to others who were not even members of their house of worship. What incredible members of the community they are!”

“The trip exceeded our goals,” Elder said. “We worked together to get a job done, only to realize the work was just beginning - that of growing, learning, and sharing together. We don’t need to go to Houston to repair the world. We are doing a bit of it every time we reach out to one another here as well. We’re looking for the next place where we can make a difference together.” (See: https://www.Hakafa.org.)