Tuesday Memo - Becoming a Better Person

Greetings!


We are in the midst of our registration season for the Annual Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues which are scheduled for Thursday evening, November 17th. This is the sixth year that we are hosting these dinners and we hope that many of you will join again or take your first step towards breaking bread with new friends.

We've taped a short piece by Reverend Jim Bankston, one of IM's outstanding leaders - I think he captures the essence of the Dinner Dialogues especially well. Please give him your ear. 

Dr. Bankston, St. Paul's United Methodist Church

We are fortunate that so many folks have come to learn about the Amazing Faith Dinners, but you can help. Please send this email onto all of those in your circles who you believe would enjoy this experience. Thank you so much. Register by clicking here.

We are also happy to announce that our second annual For All Humanity Luncheon will be held on November 29th at the Junior League of Houston. The luncheon celebrates the work that IM does to help welcome refugees from around the world.

This year, Sultana Mangalji and Tehmina Masud chair the event with Lily and Charles Foster as Honorary Chairs. Susan and Dan Boggio will receive the 2011 Refugee Services Humanitarian Award for their service to the community.  I encourage you to attend.  For more information, click here.

 A THOUGHT TO PONDER

We are in the midst of the Ten Days of Awe on the Jewish calendar - the days that began with Rosh Hashanah last Wednesday night and go through Yom Kippur which ends this coming Saturday evening.  These are the holiest of days on the Jewish calendar and most practicing Jews find themselves in synagogue during these Holy Days.

Each of our traditions has inspiring days that call on us to return to our roots.  Be it Easter, marking the end of Lent for Christians, Ramadan for Muslims or Diwali for Hindus, Jains or Sikhs, each of these faiths, and others, have special days that inspire us to be better human beings.

During these Ten Days of Awe, it is traditional for Jews to reach out to people in their circles; family, friends and co-workers, to seek forgiveness for the sins we have committed.  It is not enough to ask God for forgiveness - for it is not God who we might have offended.  In that spirit, please know that if I have made any mistakes or acted without sincerity or sensitivity with any of you; if my writing has missed the mark or offended you; please know that I seek your forgiveness and promise to do everything within my limited powers to do better.

Thank you for listening, and more importantly, thank you for teaching me how to be a better me.

Talk to you in two weeks.


Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston