We are in the middle of Ramadan, the month-long spiritual journey that Muslims go on each year. Ramadan moves a bit back in time each year so this year our Muslim friends are fasting all day long, from before sunrise to sunset in the heat of the summer. Every day for a month. For those of us who do not follow this practice, it's very hard to appreciate the spiritual power it takes. However, I think we can all appreciate the holiness that such fasting embodies. Fasting can be a cleansing experience - learning to handle the pangs of hunger can teach one to sympathize with those who are hungry every day. So I offer my prayers that this Ramadan is both meaningful and spiritually fulfilling for all our Muslim friends.
Which takes me to another subject that calls for a bit of sacrifice. IM is part of many coalitions that work for the betterment of our city and region. One such coalition has formed called the Early to Rise Campaign. Houston is at a crossroads. We are the most diverse city in the US and that provides us unique opportunities and challenges. One of the challenges is to ensure that all of our kids (from all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds) have a great start to their educational endeavors. With years of data and now a very strong and broad group of community, business and faith leaders aboard, the Early to Rise Campaign is about raising sufficient funding year after year to assure that our youngest children are prepared for school so that we will have a well educated populace to fill the jobs of a vibrant future Houston. In other words, if we are to maintain our reputation as a city on the move, attracting and sustaining the best companies and start-ups, we need to have the best educated workforce not just today, but in ten, twenty and thirty years.
Who can argue with that? Well the Campaign is about getting signatures from thousands of Harris County residents who agree that a one penny increase per $100 of property tax valuation is worth assuring that all our kids get the right start.
James Calaway, a former Board member of IM, is leading this effort. You can click here to learn more. If you so choose, you can help them get the 78,000 signatures necessary to get this on the November ballot by signing the petition. If you are so moved, please bring this to your congregations, civic clubs, and any other place where you feel people might be motivated to help make sure that truly no child is left behind.
Thank you for considering your part in this worthy endeavor.
Talk to you next month,
Elliot Gershenson
President & CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
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