The Welcome Mat

Returning from the synagogue, we made it just in time to get on the bus and make our way to The Hassan II Mosque, sometimes nicknamed the "Casablanca Hajj". Built on the shoreline of Casablanca, it is the largest mosque in Morocco and Africa and the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is among the world's tallest at 60 storied high with a laser light that shines toward Mecca.

My "dance partner" for the day is Nancy Nolan, a self identified Jewbuliccan. Jewish- married to a Jewish man she raised a Jewish daughter and celebrates Jewish holidays.
Buddhist- A student and practitioner of Buddhist meditation
Catholic- Born Irish Roman Catholic, she is both spiritually and culturally Catholic
Wiccan- Interested in indigenous, Native American earth based religion. Just as importantly, she identifies as a warrior, which is evident by her strength and energy.  Rarely is she without a twinkle in her eye, a generous spirit and a joy inducing robust laugh.

Together we explore the plaza and watch the ocean waves before our tour begins of this majestic sacred space.

As we enter what is most intriguing to me is that this masjid boasts glass insets in the floor where the sea bed can be seen and a retractable roof where the sky can be seen.  There water, air and earth meet and the element of fire is added by a flame. 

Standing in the space, pigeons fly across the vast expanse. The guide says that over 100,000 people can pray within and outside the mosque's grounds.  It is massive.

It was certainly beautiful and inspiring and yet not surprising that the decision to build this mosque was controversial for Moroccans, on one hand clearly a point of national and religious pride and on the other, such a vast amount of resources poured into a project that could be directed to feed and care for people. Over 12 million people donated by the end.

I shared with Nancy that as my community moves into its own building, that is even humble in comparison to the 300 person sized synagogue in Casablanca about the nature of space.  I question the value of opulence in the name of religion.  The beauty of  both spaces were magnificent and special beyond belief. I understand that we often feel that way about God.  Our enthusiasm wants to interpret that fervor of adoring God through adornment. 

As an art lover and a fan of architecture, I can relate.  But the Tower of Babel comes to mind in all our structures. Even when the impetus is to exult God not overthrow God, the building itself can distract.  It's a contrary notion to how we are wired.  It is in the ocean, or the mountains that I feel the Godly magnificence of creation more than any palatial cathedral or temple. We agreed that Nature unlocks our awe more than anything 

Perhaps more than the grandest ark, or the most vivid stained glass windows or the highest minaret--we should all keep our eye on the most important symbol: the welcome mats of our homes of worship.

There's nothing like the feeling of being embraced and having a sense of "Welcome Home."

 

Meeting Elijah

Traveling with 30 people can be like trying to keep frogs in a barrel long enough to make it to the destination.

Making it through customs and out of the airport in Casablanca, we were challenged keeping it all together. One pilgrim was led a different way out of the airport so by the time we met our tour guide, Faed he was frazzled and we were all ready late.

Groggy from traveling, we rode on the bus adjusting to the sights.  We had a lovely (if not a tad cliché) dinner at Rick's Cafe.  My partner for the day was Amina, an Ismaili Muslim physician who was incredibly curious and interested in the world around her.

Arriving at the hotel, I convinced two pilgrims to join me on a 10 min walk to find the synagogue Beth El. Father Jeffrey Ott and Dr. Keith Wood who used to lead a Seventh Day Adventist informed community.  A fierce triad we were.

The first clue that this would be an adventure was that on my GPS app the address was on one street and the location symbol was on the next. Then as we started walking the bustling streets of Casablanca, my GPS stopped functioning.

Walking in the direction of the synagogue, three young men ran out in front of us and started fighting blocking our way.  The three of froze silently trying to assess the situation.  More men began to join the fight and I felt torn.  Wrestling with what was the responsibility of our own safety and of protecting another, especially as foreigners.

We wandered a good bit the wrong way but then found the right street.  There were a handful of places with high gates and no signage where I wondered if a synagogue took refuge behind those high walls.  Eventually on a small offshoot of the street we were on at the end of the street was a "beit menachem mendel".  I had found the Chabad. 

As we headed back four kittens ran out into street crying for food.  We made it back to the hotel only partially successful.

The next morning, two of the Jewish pilgrims asked if I had been successful in finding the synagogue.  We decided to head over.  We found the chabad again.  We were allowed in and heard the davening above as we explored the beit hamidrash.  We met a few of the Moroccan Jews and were on our way.

Jeffrey pointed to a gate saying that he thought a synagogue was behind the door.  Just before we headed across the street, a man appeared and walked to the gate and opened them.  Timing wise, it was like he was Elijah.

We approached, he was apprehensive at first but we explained we were Jews in broken French. He saw my yarmulke and let us into the beautiful courtyard.  We followed him into the sanctuary as he welcomed us in and Beth El was beautiful with stunning Chagall inspired stained glass windows with each tribe and beautiful chandeliers.

There's a sacred nature of space.  To be in Jewish space across the world binds us.  To add a blessing where my Moroccan brother and sisters had been before felt like an honor.  It was like encountering buried treasure.

Our Elijah was patient, it seemed as if he was the shamash. He appreciated our witness and excitement at discovering this spiritual home of our community. We embraced as we left. 

When seeking Jews around the world, there's almost always Elijah waiting to greet you.

Mom 1 Josh 0

I have the unique privilege of having my divorced parents as members in my synagogues. They can make life interesting--and there is a humility built into the experience.  Nothing like parents to remind you of your own humanity and foibles.

As a good Jewish Mom, she worries when I take trips out of the country.  

Once my mom loudly rustled in her purse as she pulled out her sunglasses to "hide" her tears as I explained to the congregation why I was not canceling my trip to Israel even though the Lebanon War had just begun.  Last summer, she endured my return to Israel during the Gaza War. 

Tonight when I tried joking around with her about going to Morocco, she was on her witty A-game.

Yes, Mom 1  Josh 0

Josh, I don't think I will make it to services tomorrow night."

"You do know that if I don't make it back from Morocco that it might be the last time you see me lead services."

"Aren't we having lunch on Sunday."

"Yes, but that's not services."

"It's ok, I still remember the High Holy Days."

"Alright. By the way, I hope it's OK that I have asked in my will that someone read the Jewish Times article where they quote you about me becoming a rabbi. I just want to let you know that people will understand why you weren't there."

"The one where I said, 'I thought you would have become a marine biologist."?

"Well, Mom actually it read, 'I always hoped he would have done something more interesting with his life."

"I was misquoted."

"Try explaining that at my funeral."

"Well if YOU had become a marine biologist you would be in Hawaii now."

Touche, Mom.  Sunday lunch, Round 2!

Pursuing Wisdom: An Interfaith Pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain

Who Are World Pilgrims?

Judaism, Christianity, Islam as well as other world religions hold many values and traditions in common but rarely do members of these faiths have meaningful contact with one another.  At times their interactions are often marked by distrust and hostility, rather than respect for differences and awareness of common values. World Pilgrims are committed to making a difference.

The ICI World Pilgrims program is based on the principle that before people of different religions can constructively discuss their differences they need to develop meaningful personal relationships with one another.  When friendship and trust must is established, honest and productive dialogue can take places even about areas of difference and disagreement.  Our goals are are to increase empathy and understanding, build trust, reduce conflict, and ultimately create opportunities for collaborative action.

The hope is that each  Pilgrim will:

• Deepen their personal faith by visiting some of the most sacred sites of their religious tradition.

• Gain an appreciation of the shared elements of all three Abrahamic religious traditions, as well as an understanding and respect for the differences

• Establish personal friendships with fellow pilgrims from Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions even in the midst of the complexities of relationships between these three faiths around the world.

A pilgrimage is a sacred journey, not a travel seminar or a tourist venture. This means taking time for personal and group reflection, devotional time and  personal sharing.  Participants are asked to see these times as essential elements of the pilgrimage. Each location is of sacred importance, a place where spiritual enrichment can take place.

Each journey has a formal and very intentional structure designed to ensure that all the participants achieve the goals of the pilgrimage.  The theme of this pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain is Pursuing Wisdom.  Each participant is asked to commit to this structure so that the shared goals of the journey can be obtained. 

We focus on understanding and acceptance of each other’s faith traditions; discussion rather than debate, respect rather than judgment, empathy rather than criticism.   As pilgrims traveling on a common and sacred journey, the participants are expected to share their personal experiences and faith journeys with one another, and to make a commitment to continue their common experience after returning home.  Traveling makes us vulnerable in the best ways and creates opportunities for empathy, relatability and support.

As a result, we are building a stronger faith community in Atlanta. With close to 400 pilgrims, we support one another’s communities and keep connected once we return. It is such a meaningful experience that many people seek to join another pilgrimage.  We are transforming the faith landscape to better our city and ourselves.

Follow this blog for an inside view of our 20th pilgrimage to Morocco and Spain as we are Pursuing Wisdom.

*This post was taken from the Interfaith Community Institute's webpage and edited by me.  All edits reflect my perspective and not of the ICI at a whole.  

World Pilgrim in the Dead Sea: 2010  Pilgrimage to Egypt, Jordan and Israel