April 22, 2005

Passover, an 8-day observance commemorating the freedom of the Hebrews from Egypt, officially begins on Saturday, April 23, and is a time of family gatherings and lavish meals called Seders.

The weekend also brings the Sunday Mass marking the new ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, rites to be attended by numerous interfaith and ecumenical leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Episcopal Church bishops Christopher Epting and Pierre Whalon representing Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. Epting is the Presiding Bishop's Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, while Whalon is the Paris-based bishop of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.

Interfaith and ecumenical ministries are the focus year-round of the Episcopal Church's Interfaith Education Initiative (IEI), which was established in response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. IEI works to promote the awareness of Episcopalians to religious plurality in the United States, to improve relations and to establish dialogue with people of other faiths. Information about IEI and interfaith/ecumenical ministries of the Episcopal Church is online at http://www.interfaitheducationinitiative.org/.

Los Angeles Seder dinner to mark new Jewish, Episcopal collaboration

The Los Angeles Silver Lake district will celebrate a turning point on Sunday, April 27 as children and families at a Jewish community center welcome Episcopal Bishop J. Jon Bruno to a traditional Passover Seder to mark the formation of a new partnership between the Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center (SIJCC) and the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles.

Representatives from the offices of State Assembly member Dario Frommer and City Council member Eric Garcetti will also participate in the festivities, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Community Center, located at 1110 Bates Avenue, Los Angeles.

"The SIJCC community is thrilled," announced SIJCC board president Janie Schulman. "Saving our building and our center was a minor miracle. We could not have done it without the incredibly generous support of Bishop Bruno and the Diocese and Far East National Bank which was willing to take a chance on us, not to mention three years of hard work, dedication and financial sacrifice on the part of our teachers, staff, center members, local community and elected officials.

"We are excited about our new partnership with Bishop Bruno and look forward to serving as a model shared facility, demonstrating how inter-faith cooperation and team-work can foster understanding and respect between religious groups and strengthen the individual organizations."

In addition to allowing some 100 preschool students to continue their Jewish education, the alliance will provide new opportunities for service to the community.

For the past three years, the center, home of the Jewish Community Center since 1951, has been threatened with closure. The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles (JCCGLA), which owned the facility, discovered a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall and decided it would have to close three of its centers, including the Silverlake property, and sell the land and buildings to make up the shortfall. Rather than watch their beloved center die, several community members formed a new non-profit corporation, the SIJCC, and took over the center's operation on July 1, 2002. Nearly three years after breaking away from JCCGLA, SIJCC has not only survived, but thrived. Nearly 100 children are enrolled at the center's pre-school. SIJCC has a waiting list for its pre-school and has added ballet, flamenco dancing, martial arts, and other popular enrichment classes.

In October 2004, Bruno learned of the plight of the JCC. Having grown up playing basketball in its gymnasium, Bruno was familiar with the building and the organization and pledged his support. "They came to us to help save their school," he said, "and we could find a way to help. We're glad it all worked out."

District 13 Council member Eric Garcetti also lent his support to the center early in its struggles to survive and was instrumental in fostering the relationship between the diocese and the center Board of Directors. "The Silverlake JCC has been a community institution for generations," said Garcetti. "I am very proud to have joined with the committed families and community members to save this neighborhood treasure. This agreement ensures that it will remain a community space for generations to come."

About SIJCC

The SIJCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality Jewish education, cultural programs, athletic activities and social opportunities for people of all ages, ethnic groups and religious affiliations. The mission of the SIJCC is accomplished through quality programming for all ages-early childhood education, celebration of Jewish holidays, arts, theater, language, music education, athletic activities, and Jewish educational programs. In addition, the SIJCC participates in select public service activities and provides a gathering place for members and other community groups. To learn more about SIJCC or to make a donation, please call 323.663.2255 or visit http://www.silverlakejcc.org/.

About the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

The Diocese of Los Angeles – a community of 85,000 Episcopalians in 147 congregations, 37 schools, and 20 major institutions – spans all of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and part of Riverside County. One of 110 dioceses in the national Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Los Angeles was established in 1895.

The Diocese is led by its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno. Its administrative and ministry hub is the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, located in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles.

For more information about the Diocese of Los Angeles and its ministries, visit http://www.ladiocese.org/.

Episcopal News Service