Value of fasting is key theme of interfaith iftar in Midwood
“Abraham would be the happiest person,” said Mehmet Kilic, vice president of the Turkish Cultural Center, in his opening remarks to participants in an Interfaith iftar on Tuesday night. Sponsoring the break-the-fast meal for the Muslim community was the Interfaith Social Action/Social Justice Committee of East Midwood Jewish Center and Our Lady of Refuge Church, both located on Ocean Avenue. East Midwood Jewish Center hosted the event.
The interfaith committee, which dates back more than two decades, has sponsored other community events and meals as well, but Chairperson Sally Hipscher, a retired teacher NYC school teacher, knew that the group had to expand its outreach. So, she gathered a corps of volunteers who prepared a vegetarian meal of Middle Eastern specialties.
A representative from each of the three Abrahamic faiths — Judaism, Christianity and Islam — spoke on the meaning of fasting from food in their respective traditions.
