A Message from Dr. Graz

Jerusalem: The Sunday Challenge

When Richard Elofer wrote to me that the first Festival of Religious Freedom in Jerusalem would take place on Sunday, July 26, I was very skeptical. Previous experience had taught me that it is more than risky to organize a meeting on Sunday afternoon. I suggested to him that he could plan a symposium or forum with a group of 60 experts and religious leaders on Sunday and that the Festival could be on Saturday.  But in Jerusalem, a Sunday Festival is the only way to have participation from rabbis and Jewish believers. Those who know Richard won’t be surprised that he kept his initial plan.

Richard Elofer contacted the newspapers and made some telephone calls the week before the Festival.  On Saturday, July 24, the auditorium of the YMCA was full in celebration of religious freedom day.  Present for the event were Dr Eugene Hsu, a Vice President of the General Conference and a Vice President of the International Religious Liberty Association; and Pastor Harald Wollan, Secretary General of the IRLA in Europe.  

Rabbi Yaacov Lebeau, leader of the Jewish Conservative Synagogue, was one the speakers, and short speeches about religious freedom were alternated with music.  I expected 100 participants, but instead I was pleasantly surprised when close to 300 people attended.  It was an excellent opportunity for Christians and Jews to become sensitive to religious freedom issues and the ways to improve religious freedom in Israel. Three reporters came to the Festival and an article, along with a picture, was published in the French edition of the Jerusalem Post.
           
It is a challenge to organize such a festival in a place like Jerusalem.  No church or religious organization had ever tried to do it before.  But the outcome was very positive, and a religious liberty symposium is being planned for 2011.

Religious freedom events to take place in the next month include:

• 11th IRLA Meeting of Experts in Washington DC, September 1 to 3
• Second Religious Freedom Symposium in Mongolia, September 9
• Religious Freedom Symposium in Seoul, Korea on September 11
• Religious Freedom Festival in Seoul, Korea on September 12

John Graz, GC Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Director
Secretary-General of the International Religious Liberty Association