Temple’s Hanukkah Night Is Sign of Peace

Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo will celebrate the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday with a three-faith service that will include an observance of Islam’s Ramadan and Christianity’s Advent.

The interfaith gathering was designed as a sign of peace between religions in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks and made even more poignant by recent violence in Israel, organizers say.

“It gives us a good indication that coexistence and friendship are possible,” said Yassir Mohammed, imam of the Orange County Islamic Foundation in Mission Viejo. “And this event shows that no one has to compromise their beliefs either.”

Along with unity songs and prayers, the history and significance of special holiday traditions will be explained by a rabbi, imam and Roman Catholic priest.

“Prejudice is not going to end by reading about each other’s religion in a book,” said Bill Shane, executive director of the Newport Beach-based National Conference for Community and Justice, organizer of the event. “We need to get to know each other.”

Following the service, which will include the lighting of Hanukkah and Advent candles, the expected crowd of more than 300 will eat a dinner cooked by Muslims and Jews that follows kosher guidelines.

Vegetarian Persian food will be served as the main course, along with the Hanukkah favorite, latkes (potato pancakes). The Christian contingency will provide the dessert.

Rabbi Allen Krause will be hosting his first major interfaith event since the opening of Temple Beth El’s 65,000-square-foot building, a facility designed in part to bring faiths together.

The event is open to the public and costs $10. Reservations may be made through the National Conference for Community and Justice office.