John Rydell
Some passersby may have assumed the hundreds of people they saw walking along Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest Washington were part of yet another protest. But this diverse group of all ages carried no signs and did not chant slogans. They quietly gathered on Sept. 7 to celebrate common ground as part of the 20th annual Interfaith Council Unity Walk.
Rabbi Aaron Miller, a member of the clergy team at Washington Hebrew Congregation, which hosted this year’s event, beamed with excitement as he gave visitors a tour of the synagogue while explaining its rituals. “The Unity Walk is so important to Washington Hebrew and so important to the Jewish community, especially now, because so many Jews I know feel like we’re by ourselves in a world where politics on the right and left are chipping away at our sense of safety. The walk, if nothing else, reminds us that we’re not alone, that we have friends, that we have people who understand us and who want to understand us. And so to see a congregation full of people [visitors], it’s one of the most beautiful moments of the year,” he said.
Sousan Abadian, executive director of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, which sponsors the annual event, said: “We may have differences of faith and culture, but we are one shared humanity. Unity does not mean uniformity. It doesn’t mean we all agree or have the exact same opinions or beliefs. We can still be here together and not focus on the conflicts that we have. We’re still willing to sit together with our differences, and we see each other’s commonality.”
Those walking the 1.5-mile route stopped at several other houses of worship, including Annunciation Catholic Church. Rev. Scott Hahn, newly appointed pastor at the church, said: “We have a moment to get together, because so often, we worship on different days and different locations, so this is a moment everyone can get together and share their common humanity and also share a deep understanding of their faiths in different ways. It’s really important to share that we’re all created by God in image and likeness, and we’re all here to serve one another as brothers and sisters and neighbors.”
Walkers were also offered a traditional vegetarian meal across the street at Sikh Gurdwara, DC. Harbreet Kaur, a member, said: “I think it’s getting to know each other and doing away with ignorance. So, these kinds of events are like icebreakers for communities to mingle and also find common ground, because basically all faiths are based on some common humanity and values.”
Vitor Bereira, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, joined some of his friends on the Unity Walk. ”I feel it’s beautiful. We have an opportunity to learn about other faiths, and we’re just here to learn about each other and support each other, and it’s a beautiful thing,” he said.
Other houses of worship and stops along the route included Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Bryce Park, Community of Christ, SGI-USA DC Buddhist Center, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, Kahlil Gibran Memorial, Indian Embassy Consular Branch and the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.
Symi Rom-Rymer, associate director of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, reflected on the value of such events. “It’s this little bubble of what is possible, of how we can come together and not feel the polarization that can be so prevalent when you’re watching the news or when you’re doing other things. This is an opportunity to remember that there is so much that unites us. We can have differences, and those differences are fine, but we can engage one another in respect and positive and even loving ways,” she said.
John Rydell is a freelance writer.
