The song had no words. The point was the feeling.
One by one they joined in singing. The leader of a national Jewish organization dedicated to community service. A 30-year-old Rabbi and an 80-year-old-Rabbi. A former U.S. Ambassador. University professors and civic leaders. Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews, and Jews of Color.
Each voice, distinct and unique. Each voice adding to a chorus that’s greater than the sum of its parts. A chorus and a potluck. Each voice calling out and remembering — we are all stronger together.
Fifteen minutes earlier, the room was marked by moments of laughter and moments of deep and solemn care. The participants were asked, “What should we ask you about? What’s a hobby or interest or issue you care about?” They told us to ask them about philosophy and physics, about knitting and baseball, about their complicated relationships with Israel and with Palestine and with themselves. We felt a little closer to each other, a little more ready for the hard conversations that would follow.
Then we remembered why we were there. We remembered the Holocaust, the six million that perished because of hatred and bigotry, because of neighbors allowing or encouraging the murder of their neighbors. The millions of others around the world, yesterday and today, that have passed for the same reasons.
And then we remembered that the world can look different. That we can find collective safety and meaning by knowing each other, by caring for each other, by appreciating what we have in common and what is beautifully different. By respecting, relating, and cooperating.
Interfaith America’s Vice President of Higher Education Strategy Rebecca Russo told us about the birth of her third child. It came at the beginning of a Jewish fast period. The Muslim nurse, who fasts for Ramadan, knew just what she and her husband needed and how to provide it.
Rebecca also recounted volunteering at a homeless shelter in New York, that was run by a synagogue and a church. Real estate is at a premium in New York City, so instead of finding two spaces to do good, the two houses of worship worked together to maximize the impact they could make. They certainly had differences of opinions about many things. But they found the good they can do together.
This day of meeting came about as part of a new program at Interfaith America where we host Faith-Specific Convenings — intrafaith discussions for specific faith communities at America’s 250th, on the topics of religious liberty, pluralism, and democracy. This first convening is with the Jewish community — additional convenings in 2026 will follow with the Sikh, Muslim, Catholic, and Historically Black Protestant Communities.
The communities will look at their histories and the history of America, understanding how their faith tradition translates pluralism through the lens of their unique experiences.
If day one of convening one was any indication, there is so much to learn, so much to share, and so much to accomplish, together.
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