Crane’s Mill Calls All to Abraham’s Table

Over 100 individuals from the West Essex area gathered at Crane’s Mill Continuing Care Retirement Community to participate in Abraham’s Table. The event, a community interfaith gathering which featured a delicious lunch and stimulating conversation, was sponsored by Peace Islands Institute (PII) and the West Essex Ministerial Association (WEMA).

PII, formerly known as Interfaith Dialog Center, is a nonprofit organization founded by Turkish-Americans of Northern New Jersey in 2003 which endeavors to promote respect and mutual understanding among all faiths and cultures by organizing educational and cultural activities. WEMA is an organization of local clergy from different denominations in the West Essex area that meet regularly to discuss issues pertinent to the life of local community.

According to Reverend Nancy Truscott, Pastor and Chaplain at Crane’s Mill, “Abraham is considered the father of the three monotheistic faiths in the world – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. By hosting a luncheon – with foods representative of these three traditions, we bring a diverse group of individuals to the ‘table’ to discuss, understand and respect the beauty of multiculturalism in our society.”

Speakers at the event include: Rabbi Alan Silverstein, Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell; Reverend Michael Muller, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Essex Fells; and Dr. Omer Topaloglu, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Board Member of Peace Islands Institute. Participants included residents of Crane’s Mill; students from Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair; congregants from the West Essex churches and synagogues; and members of Peace Islands Institute.