Friday night is Shabbat. I have never been to a Shabbat before and this Friday were were invited to share in the evening with South African Jews for a Free palestine . It took place at Claremont Main Road Mosque in Cape Town.
We arrived a little late with our food to share.
The seats were all full and the proceedings had started. I glanced around and saw those faithful Cape Town fellow activists we have shared much time and tears with.
Faithful justice focused humanitarians who love with shared goals and values.
Shabbat was really beautiful. A series of almost liturgical outlines and thoughts , sometimes spoken and sometimes sung. Prayers and hopes for healing and remembrances for those Palestinians who have been murdered.
My dear friend Susan, who is my oldest Christian friend , shared this time with us.
After Shabbat, we all went inside the Mosque. Shoes off, and settled on the floor who were treated to prof. Steven Freedman speaking to us about keeping focus and hope in this current state of Gaza and the Genocide. It is tough but our spiritual collective values help us in this solidarity and settled focus for justice for the Palestinians.
The shared meal was largely made by a Palestinian refugee and then , those who also contributed. There were a lot of people and this moment felt like Jesus feeding the 5000. The simply did not run out.
The Imam , eho I had met accidentally outside St Georges Cathedral on a terribly rainy day and who had kindly shared his umbrella with me, welcomed us each and all. It was a beautiful experience of community and sharing and one that really touched me deeply.
I was reminded of when we came to settle in Cape Town 24 years ago. St Georges Cathedral held interfaith services with Palestine as the focus. It seemed strange to be then with my colonial theology and yet thinking back now, I remember being intrigued by these gatherings. The desire of my heart has been settled. Thanks be to God.
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