In episode 35, “With Whom are you Celebrating Independence Day?” you will hear me read from the chapter titled Islam or Muslim in Healing a Shattered Soul, my memoir published on May 3, 2021.
The shattering of my soul occurred on April 13, 2014, with the murders of my father, oldest son and another woman. Each of them were violently gunned down by a white supremacist intending to murder Jews.
As a Christian, I sought to understand how the murderer could hate Jews so much. Exploring Judaism, I initially asked questions of close friends and I found the need to engage with a Rabbi. Rabbi Art Nemitoff, recently retired as the Senior Rabbi of The Temple, Congregation B’Nai Jehudah in Overland Park, Kansas after 18 years of heartfelt service. We met in my home only days after two of my people were violently murdered and again in his synagogue weeks later. These initial meetings were a healing balm to the open wound called my heart. Over the past seven years Rabbi Art became a trusted friend and mentor.
While I needed to learn about Judaism, God had more planned for me. Isn’t this always the case? You will hear how I came to understand the difference between the words Islam and Muslim, grasp how and when to wear a Hijab (a head cover) and humble myself in a Mosque all with the help of a new friend, Mrs Mahnaz Shabbir.
Friends, this Independence Day, “with whom are you celebrating?” is a question for each of us. Are we with only those who look like us? Are we open to breaking bread over a BBQ grill with a family who look different and may pray differently? Learning about our neighbors is a key ingredient to understanding our neighbors. By the way, everyone is our neighbor.
Happy 4th of July to you and yours...together we are better!
Resources for this episode:
The Bible
The Gospels
The Torah (First FIVE Chapters in the Bible)
Islam
Muslims
Islamic State (ISIS)
Healing a Shattered Soul
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