A Thought To Ponder

Since when did we become a country of whiners? Ever since the Clint Eastwood Super Bowl Ad was shown, there's been talk about how it was a political ad cravenly shaped to support the policies of President Obama. Well when I saw it on Super Bowl Sunday I didn't see it that way - I saw the best ad of the day.

There was Eastwood, the proto-typical American folk hero: individual, tough, brave and no bull. He was saying what so many of us feel that times are tough, people are hurting and even though the American spirit is a bit frayed, we know how to bounce back. And when we do, watch out. We Americans can accomplish anything when we come together.

So it's half-time in America. Our best days are not over and if we work hard, pull together and put our differences aside the future is bright. That's what half-times are for: for teams to draw deep inside to find the strength and courage to overcome and win.

If we have a problem it's because too many of us have forgotten that we need to be on the same team. That doesn't mean we don't have disagreements and that we shouldn't fight for what we think is right; but it also means that there are times when we have to put aside our own egos and come together as one.

Here's the ad.

I am not rooting for any car company or candidate. I just support the message that we can overcome any obstacle. It is past half-time for me; but it's only the second quarter for my grandkids. Come-on everyone. What's been built here in cities like Houston and Detroit and all of America depend on everyone one of us working together. Let's stop whining and do it for all our kids and grandkids.


WOMEN'S INTERFAITH RETREAT

Please join us for IM's annual Interfaith Women's Retreat that's coming up February 24-26 at Camp Allen. The retreat is called "Love Thyself" and brings women of different faiths together for an intimate weekend to examine beliefs and views as it applies to body, mind and spirit. Find out more information here.

Talk to you in two weeks.

Elliot Gershenson

President and CEO

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston


IM and Community Events



IM is dedicated to promoting interfaith education and learning activities. Please send us your events so that we may include them in the upcoming events section of IM's website. Help us promote Dialogue, Collaboration and Respect in Houston.

Highlighted Events

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace- Friday, February 17- Watch and listen as film and music combine to make this work a complete visual and aural experience. The concert is a plea for peace and incorporates several people of different faiths. The event takes place this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. For more information, click here.

Brother Moses Smote the Water, February 18- The ERJCC in collaboration with Congregation Beth Israel welcomes back Grammy Award-winning international superstars, The Klezmatics, this time joined by another Houston favorite, Joshua Nelson, an African American Jew known as the "Prince of Kosher Gospel." For more information, click here.