As you prepare to cast your vote in this historic and highly divisive presidential election, we invite you to pause and reflect on your values and commitments, and to give thanks for the opportunity to participate in this time-honored democratic rite. Before making your way to the voting booth — entering the closed quarters of this sacred space — you may wish to read Interfaith America’s collection of poetic reflections by individuals from different spiritual and ethical traditions, representing the diversity of our beloved nation. This collection of prayers was edited by Rabbi Or Rose and includes offerings from Miller Center staff Rev. Rob Schenck, rabbinic intern Rafi Ellenson, and former team member Rev. seigen johnson.

Rob Schenck stands across the street from Supreme Court (Mother Jones, October)

Miller Center leaders and their efforts have been featured in several media moments over the past few weeks. Enjoy the highlights below:

"Confessions of a (Former) Christian Nationalist", Mother Jones

This essay by Miller Center Leader and Hebrew College Visiting Faculty Reverend Rob Schenck plumbs the depths of his previous role as a leader of far right Evangelical political organizations and campaigns, and the journey of teshuvah ("turning" or "returning") that led him away from his political work and toward a new understanding of his faith:

"In effect, we were like other lobbyists and pressure groups, only our visits to offices included saying a prayer or reading a Bible verse with the occupant. Clergy, often arrayed around the stately benches where members of both houses of Congress sit during official proceedings, accompanied us to more formal meetings...'Christian nationalist' was yet to become a common expression, but my allies and I were that in every way. We believed America was founded as a Christian nation and needed to be preserved as such." Read more...

"'Salaam. Shalom. Peace.' How US interfaith groups work for peace in a time of war.", Christian Science Monitor

Last month, the Christian Science Monitor wrote about the efforts of local interfaith groups across the country to heal cross-cultural divides and restore civility to community life: "[E]xperts in conflict resolution say the work of these interreligious groups is vital to reweaving the tattered fabric of society."  Miller Center Director Rabbi Or Rose was interviewed for this article:

"If people are genuinely willing to engage in dignified dialogue – sharing their hopes and fears, joys, and pain – there is a humanizing effect that has the potential to open our hearts to those present and to others beyond the immediate circle of conversation...When these bridges are damaged, leaders need to be steadfast in the work of repair, which in Jewish parlance is the work of tikkun – 'healing' or 'mending,'" says Rabbi Rose. Read more...

Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes

Each month, we honor an individual or group whose commitments align with the bridge-building efforts of the Miller Center of Hebrew College. This month, we honor Rev. Doug Pagitt, an Evangelical pastor, author, social activist, and Executive Director of Vote Common Good (VCG). 

Reverend Doug Pagitt and his VCG colleagues have been criss-crossing the country over the last several months (and years) encouraging Christian voters to make the common good the centerpiece of their voting criteria. This includes honest discussion of the morality of candidates, regardless of party affiliation. Here is an excerpt on VCG's statement on the common good:

"When the Hebrew Scriptures say to treat the alien and refugee as you would want to be treated, because God desires compassion for the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the vulnerable, they call people to seek the common good. When Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself, and when Paul says not to seek your own interests only but also the interests of others, and when John and James say that no one can say they love God or have faith in God if they fail to demonstrate love for their neighbor, they call people to seek the common good. When the Quran says that no one is a believer until they desire for their brother or sister what they desire for themselves, and teaches that God made us different so that we would seek to understand and know one another, the Quran calls humanity to seek the common good… This means that good-hearted Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of all traditions cannot simply vote for what is best for themselves as individuals or even what is best for their religion, party, race, or nation alone, but must be concerned for the common good."

This core commitment has required Doug and VCG often to stand against former President Donald Trump and his colleagues, despite the alliance between several major Evangelical organizations and the Republican Party. VCG engages voters through public events, engagement in media, and the training of political candidates on the concerns of religious voters. 

We commend Doug for his decades of service as a Christian and interreligious leader, and thank him for is courageous work with VCG.

Rev. Doug Pagitt

With the 2024 presidential election approaching, the 2024-2025 Dignity Project fellows gathered in late October to share their perspectives using the tools of dialogue. In a divisive political season, the fellows reflected on the people, places, and ideas that have shaped their values and visions for the world. Then, using resources from Essential Partners, they participated in dialogues about what they feel is at stake for them in the election. Prompted to tell stories and share personal experiences, fellows shared about climate change, substance abuse, Islamophobia, reproductive health, Israel/Palestine, and other issues. After the exercise, the fellows reflected on the value of structured dialogue, which allows us time to collect our thoughts and exchange perspectives with focus and care. 

“It’s very easy to be stagnant in my opinions, but talking about the election was crucial in helping me see what my peers think about and how that plays into or changes what I think,” said Jacob Dao, a junior at Boston College High School.

The Dignity Fellows will dive deeper into dialogue at their upcoming retreat in November.

Pictured (L-R): Poet E Ethelbert Miller, "the little book of e" cover, translater and Miller Center Rabbinic Intern Rafi Ellenson

A new book of poetry published earlier this month featuring translation work and an introduction by Hebrew College rabbinical student and Miller Center Intern Rafi Ellenson. "the little book of e", is a collaborative effort, featuring haiku written in English by celebrated poet E. Ethelbert Miller alongside Rafi's Hebrew translations. 

Rafi shared about this collaborative effort in the volume's introduction: "To whom was I being most faithful to in any given moment—Ethelbert, the Hebrew poem, or the Modern Hebrew language? The task became clear. In every moment I had to be true to all of these different voices, while also creating a cohesive aesthetic sense throughout the collection...I pray this will be a collection of poetry that will serve not only as an antidote, but a tool and testament to the best of what translation can do—both enhancing the original and acting as stand-alone poems. May this book follow—in Ethelbert’s continued tradition of literary activism, the Hebrew language’s storied tradition of aesthetics, and the haiku’s legacy of brevity."

Ethelbert, who has been a fixture of the Washington D.C.'s Black literary scene for more than five decades, enjoyed his collaboration with Rafi: "From the moment Rafi and I began to correspond our conversations were filled with laughter. We quickly bonded and had similar views when it came to poetry and politics....As a writer and literary activist I've always viewed the work I do as establishing cultural bridges between communities. I believe Rafi feels the same way. I see our book as another example of the important relationship between Black and Jews. It's my hope that these small poems will be viewed as seeds and after all the disturbing rain- our words will bloom and flower."

We invite you to visit the Miller Center's new video feed on the Hebrew College Youtube page. Click the link to see our offerings from past Zoom and in-person events, and enjoy the video above from our recent Tamid Adult Learning course, "White Christian Nationalism and the Presidential Election."