THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411150124
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Much as celebrating the harvest brought together the Pilgrims and native Americans three centuries ago in Massachusetts, Norfolk has its own Thanksgiving tradition that brings together two disparate groups of people for a common purpose.
Only in Norfolk, the tradition stems from sharing an organist.
For the last 64 years, the congregations of Ohef Sholom Temple and Freemason Street Baptist Church have gathered together each Thanksgiving for an interfaith service and reception. The gathering is one of the longest running interfaith activities in the country, according to the temple's rabbi.
``While I could wax eloquent and say there was a great ecumenical upheaval in Norfolk during the 1930s, what really happened was that this tradition evolved out of a very practical reality,'' said Dr. Lawrence A. Forman, rabbi at Ohef Sholom. ``But once it started, it just took off.''
In the 1920s, Norfolk organist Emily Le Blanc Faber played for services at the Stockley Gardens temple on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. On Sunday mornings, she would play for Freemason Baptist. The arrangement worked well, except on Thanksgiving Day, when both congregations wanted to have special morning services.
In 1930, Faber approached the temple's rabbi, Dr. Louis D. Mendoza, and the church's pastor, Dr. Sparks Melton, with the idea of holding a joint service.
``There was a lot of anti-Semitic feeling in Norfolk during that time,'' noted Dr. Donald J. Dunlap, current pastor at Freemason Baptist. ``But Dr. Mendoza and Dr. Melton had a close bond of friendship. They had a lot in common. Both were very progressive and had wonderful oratorical skills. They decided to try it.''
That initial gathering was such a huge success that the two congregations have continued it, uninterrupted, ever since.
``Even during wars, a Depression, economic recession and changes in the military presence, it's survived,'' Rabbi Forman said. ``You'd think all the prejudice and bigotry during that time would have taken the same route as it did in Europe . . . where it led to the desecration of so many minority groups. But in this country, American democracy and constitutional rights won the day. This is a little, one-hour service. But this meeting permeates not only these congregations and this day; it symbolizes what America is all about and why we celebrate Thanksgiving.''
Pastor Dunlap added: ``Back in the '30s, it was a very courageous thing for this rabbi and pastor to do. I believe it's survived all these years because there's a real commitment by these two congregations to continue it and what it stands for. It speaks well for this city.''
The service is open to everyone. Usually anywhere from 150 to 300 people attend.
The congregations take turns hosting the event in alternate years. This year, a 10 a.m. reception and the 11 a.m. service will be held at Ohef Sholom. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Rabbi Lawrence A. Forman of Ohef Sholom Temple and his congregation
will host this year's joint Thanksgiving service with Freemason
Street Baptist Church.
by CNB