Friday, July 21, 2017

My final column with the Island Packet

http://www.islandpacket.com/living/religion/faith-in-action/article159645689.html

This column addresses the perennial challenge that houses of worship face in trying to find the blend of religious music that fits the worship environment and culture of the congregation. This is a fascinating issue that all clergy and lay leaders contend with given the fact that so many of our congregants or parishioners have relocated from other communities. You may find yourself in this dilemma too. Let me know what you think.

Shalom
Rabbi Bloom

ps. A few weeks ago I received brief and sudden notification that the Packet had decided to discontinue my column which was known as Faith in Action.
I have believed from the start that my singular core value in writing this column for almost nine years has been that religion deserves a voice in the public square of ideas. Second, I have tried to stretch myself in educating the community about my own views on religious topics coming from a Jewish perspective.  More importantly I am so grateful to have had the opportunity and previous support of the editorial staff of the paper to broaden myself and learn about other religions as well. I always considered it a privilege to write these columns over the years and I hope  I have had some success in establishing a dialogue and encouraging people to think in new ways about where  common ground could be  to hear and respect each other. I tried to broaden the focus on issues beyond any one religion but, instead, reached out to discuss how a public issue would and could affect all religions in America.  I have been blessed to do this column and while I am saddened by the decision of the newspaper leadership I hope to find new ways to express my views and educate to pursue the same goals mentioned above. So watch out and let's see  if as one door closes another one will open.

God bless you.