Jul 8, 2009 6:37 pm US/Eastern
Rabbi Offers Temple To Bethel After Steeple Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Temple Oheb Shalom offers a place to the Bethel A.M.E. congregation to worship.
CBS
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Firefighters battle church fire. Picture from Damion Olds.
CBS
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The church is one of Baltimore City's oldest churches. Picture from Damion Olds.
CBS
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Heavy smoke was coming from the steeple.
CBS
It is being called unity in the community. One of the oldest churches in the city is damaged by lightning and now a Jewish temple is offering its building to help out.
Suzanne Collins reports it's really a next step in an already friendly interfaith relationship.
The bell tower of Bethel A.M.E. burned causing the church to shut down. The large popular church suffered water damage inside. The pastor, Dr. Frank Reid wasn't quite sure where his flock would gather, until an offer came from across faiths, from Temple Oheb Shalom.
"We can't control what nature does. We can't control that lightening struck the steeple at Bethel A.ME., but we can control how we react to these events," said Rabbi Steven Fink.
"What President Obama is trying to teach our nation is that in times of trial and trouble, instead of turning on each other, if we turn to each other we can make a difference," said Dr. Reid.
Reverend Reid says it's good for Jews and Christians to come together, especially, after the attack at the Holocaust Museum and other hate crimes. He believes there is bond between two groups that have a history of oppression.
"This partnership between the Jewish community and the black community reestablishes the bridge that existed between our two communities for hundreds of years," said Dr. Reid.
The two religious leaders discussed logistics in the temple sanctuary. A member of Temple Oheb Shalom likes the arrangement.
"This is a sad time for them, but friends are there for the good and the bad and we're glad we could do that and we have just a very special relationship," said Sue Sailer Oheb Shalom, member.
The two diverse congregations have worked together before. For example, they grew a vegetable garden and the produce from it is going to feed Maryland's hungry.
"Our congregation and Bethel A.M.E. are family. We've had a relationship that goes back to 2002," said Rabbi Fink.
Members of this synagogue and church also have a black and Jewish dialogue group.
"We even get into misperceptions, to prejudge, we ask questions, so it provides a real outlet to understanding. As Rabbi Fink would say, 'were just human beings,'" said Lerona Josey, Bethel A.M.E attorney.
Last Sunday Bethel A.M.E met at Pier 6, Wednesday night they have an ecumenical service at Union Baptist at 7 p.m.
Starting Sunday, Temple Oheb Shalom will be its temporary home.
Bethel awaits a meeting with its insurance company to assess the damage, and learn when it may be able to reopen its church building.
The Bethel congregation will meet at 9:30 a.m., one service will start Sunday at Temple Oheb Shalom has kept the offer open through Labor Day.
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