Christians, Jews find unity at Irvine service

IRVINE – Members of University Synagogue and the Irvine United Congregational Church held a joint service Tuesday night at the synagogue and celebrated the start of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. It wasn’t the first time the Jewish and Christian congregations came together, and they rejoiced in the ability to do so.

There was a time when it was unusual for Jews and Christians to worship together, but now people are more open-minded about such unity, said Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, head of University Synagogue. This is the 25th year the congregations have joined for a Thanksgiving service, and it was open to people of all faiths.

When it came time for participants to speak about what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving, Austin Brazille, 87, summed up the theme of the service.

“I’m thankful that things in Orange County have progressed the way they have, but I think there’s more to be done,” he said.

Rusty Kennedy, the founding CEO of the OC Human Relations Commission, was the keynote speaker and spoke on the topic ” “How Welcome is the mat: 50 years after signing the Civil Rights Act, How is Orange County Doing?” at an Interfaith Thanksgiving service Tuesday night at University Synagogue in Irvine. Photo: Rod Veal, OC Register

The service’s guest speaker was Rusty Kennedy, CEO of the Orange County Human Relations Commission, a nonprofit organization that encourages cooperation among residents to eliminate prejudice and intolerance in the county.

Kennedy, a Fullerton native, has a background in Orange County activism. His father, Ralph Kennedy, was a civil rights activist and advocated for fair housing and rights for farmworkers.

Though there is not as much inequity as there used to be, discrimination remains a problem, Kennedy said.

“There’s socioeconomic discrimination; not-in-my-backyard (sentiment), keeping homeless shelters out of our neighborhoods and (keeping) low-price housing out of our neighborhoods,” he said.

Kennedy also spoke about other issues in the county including justice for mentally ill homeless people and police-community relations.

Brazille, an Irvine resident, is African American and moved to California in 1948 after leaving the Navy. He said seeing Orange County back then helps him appreciate how it looks to him now.

“I remember what it was like back then. The black people that I talked to knew Orange County was not the place to be. It’s much nicer now, less antagonistic,” he said.

But he thinks there are still improvements to be made because pockets of prejudice remain.

“These days, I’ve still seen a few things,” he said.

Though sometimes people don’t see problems in their own neighborhoods, they exist elsewhere and need attention, Kennedy said.

Kennedy concluded his speech by encouraging members of the audience to seek out areas where they could contribute to change. He suggested people elect public officials not only based on their own interests but on the needs of needy communities.

University Synagogue Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, left, gives Irvine United Congregational Church Rev. Paul Tellstrom some special holiday bread, which is part of Jewish tradition, when the two men hosted an Interfaith Thanksgiving service Tuesday night at University Synagogue. Photo: Rod Veal

Rachlis and the Rev. Paul Tellstrom of the Irvine United Congregational Church took turns reading blessings and prayers in Hebrew and English throughout the evening. Singers from the synagogue and church sang as one choir in both languages.

“This is an important relationship,” said Tellstrom.

“This (service) enhances our own religious identities. We can create a better and stronger community here,” he said.

Though the holidays are about being thankful, the service was also meant to inspire change, Rachlis said.

“We want to express gratitude but also challenge ourselves to be better,” he said.

Rachlis presented the traditional challah bread eaten during Jewish holidays and shared it with Tellstrom and Kennedy to end the service.