Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

‘This evening reminds us that there is more that unites us than divides us in life,’ Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben said Tuesday evening during his welcoming remarks for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Held this year at Kehillat Israel, the traditional celebration was hosted by the Palisades Ministerial Association and included representatives from the synagogue and six local churches. Accompanied by Dwight Stone, music director of the Community United Methodist Church, KI’s Beth Wasserman Rosenfeld sang the prelude and Didi Carr Reuben sang ‘We Can Be Kind.’ Another musical highlight came when Cantor Chayim Frenkel and basso Louis Lebherz reprised their rendition of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ from ‘The Pearlfishers’ by Bizet. Lebherz, an opera singer and director of music for Corpus Christi parish, also led what he described as ‘the world premiere’ of the Corpus Christi Ave Maria Chorus when they performed ‘Give Thanks to Our God.’ ‘The choir [grades 5-8] has been together for only five one-hour rehearsals,’ Lebherz said afterwards. ‘But the kids are so enthusiastic and disciplined, it works.’ The homily was delivered by the Rev. Nancy Wilson of the Methodist Church (last year’s host), and the Rev. Charles Svendsen, interim pastor of the Palisades Presbyterian Church, read the Presidential Proclamation for Thanksgiving. Representing St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael Seiler gave a Prayer of Reflection and the Rev. Peter Kreitler read ‘Cycle of Life’ from the Chinook Psalter. Two representatives from the Self-Realization Fellowship also participated. Lutheran minister Wally Mees was unable to attend because of illness. David Carter of the 37th Church of Christ, Scientist, sought donations for a Darfur (Sudan) relief offering at the evening’s conclusion.