GBIO: Interfaith Gathering of Unity, Love, and Strength

Date: 

Friday, August 18, 2017 (All day)

Location: 

477 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
The events of Charlottesville, VA have shaken us to the core. We grieve the loss of the dead and pray for the healing of the injured. We despair that today’s neo-nazis feel emboldened to spew hateful venom into the public square with impunity while wearing helmets, wielding shields, and brandishing weapons. We are confounded by all those those who are prone to violence and hatred. The moral fabric of our nation is frayed. We know that you need to do something. Many of you are desperate to be a part of the solution. You want to confront the evil, face it down, expose it to the light of day for what it is. We love you for this. We love you for your fierce anger and will to do good, to make a difference, to take a stand for God. Similar groups to those who visited hatred upon Charlottesville plan to hold a rally on the Boston Common on Saturday. We have had lengthy meetings with City officials and other inter-religious leaders, including colleagues in the Black community, Muslim community, and Jewish community. We ask you to investigate your own conscience and decide where you are called to be, to show up with love , act in nonviolence, and please prioritize the safety of yourself and others. The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization will host an Interfaith Gathering of Unity, Love, and Strength this Friday at 5pm, at Temple Israel of Boston. At GBIOs Spring Delegates Assembly in April, GBIO adopted the, "Out of Many, One" campaign to fight against threats to vulnerable communities. On Friday we will continue in the spirit of this campaign as we stand together as an organized powerful voice in Greater Boston. Whatever else you choose to do this weekend, we hope you will make this a high priority. We will hear inspiring words from faith leaders across Greater Boston, as we stand together against all forms of hatred, to affirm the power of love and righteousness. All members of clergy will be invited to stand together on the bima (raised platform), in full spiritual regalia. Then at 6pm, Temple Israel is inviting our interfaith community to join them for “A Sabbath of Love and Light,” a Shabbat worship experience open to all, devoted to the values of justice and compassion. Please extend this invitation to your family and friends. This is the time for us to be together with all who wish to counter messages of hatred by kindling the light of compassion and human dignity for all.