Social Dimension2


On March 5, 2000, I was very fortunate to have experienced a gathering of
many different religious affiliations.  I participated in the community-wide Interfaith
Service held at Keneseth Israel to celebrate the Centennial of Cheltenham Township. 
This service was a highlight of the Centennial celebration and 1600 people came
together for this historic event.  Also included in the gathering were more than thirty
clergy, an array of choirs and the Old York Road Symphony Orchestra.  The
representatives of different faiths either read passages or participated in song.  The
local clergy began the service with a processional.  A program was made available to
all guests which offered a history of each religious group in attendance.  Ceremonial
objects from the religious groups were exhibited.
I was a volunteer and I was responsible for greeting and registering the
participants.  I was amazed to find such a diverse group of individuals from the many
religious institutions that make their homes in Cheltenham Township.
My youngest child and my husband attended and also volunteered to assist
in welcoming the many guests who participated in the celebration.  The experience of
being a part of this unique gathering of our diverse population was awe-inspiring to say
the least.  Everyone came away from the event a little more enlightened and proud of
our diverse community