The Pleasantville Interfaith community will be hosting a joint celebration service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a better, more supportive world.  Rabbi Ben Newman, of Pleasantville Community Synagogue where he and his wife, Rabbi Shoshana Leis, leads, is the event organizer.  He says, “On this MLK Day, it is important for the community of Pleasantville to come together and celebrate the diversity of our faith traditions.  As we gather for this interfaith service, we have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by one another's prayers and reflections.”  Together with Emanuel Lutheran Church, Holy Innocents Roman Catholic Parish, Pleasantville Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society, this service hopes to show that in this day and age, a united front to engaging in a better world is the only way forward.  Again, Rabbi Newman emphasizes, “But this service is not just about coming together in celebration.  It is also about taking action and working towards justice and equality. We must remember the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and strive to end systemic racism in our community and beyond.  And what better way to take action than by giving back to those in need?  By encouraging community service and bringing donations to the Upper Westchester Muslim Society Food Pantry, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.”  Indeed, led by a rabbi, hosted at an Episcopal church, and bolstering the local food pantry at local mosque shows our joint effort to raise all voices equally and fairly.  Rabbi Newman concludes, “This interfaith service is an opportunity for us to come together, to learn from one another, and to take action for the greater good.  It is a chance for us to show that we stand together as a community, united in our commitment to justice, equality, and compassion.”  We hope you join us for this special occasion.
 
 
For further information, please reach out to Rev. Kevin O’Hara at pastorkevinohara@gmail.com.