This week the gardens of the Israel Museum were the site of an unusual inter-religious gathering. Jews, Christians and Moslems met here for the grand opening of the exhibit Bread: Daily and Divine. The exhibit is an introductory voyage, not only into the bread-making process, but also into the popular, social, and religio-political implications of bread for the three great monotheistic religions. Before visiting the exhibit and hearing the inaugural speech, guests were invited to share a 6 meter long “Sabbath bread”, made specially for the occasion, as well as a variety of different kinds of bread that are eaten daily in this country. The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger, pronounced the Blessing over Bread before partaking with the several guests of honor. A number of religious communities were asked to lend an object symbolizing their “bread usage”. Thus the Spanish Sisters of Calvary (Hijas del Calvario) loaned one of the baking forms they use to make Mass hosts here at Jerusalem, the Franciscans loaned nine objects, including an 18th century tabernacle and a paten, and the Armenians, the Russian Orthodox, and the Syrian Catholics also loaned objects. In this way, everyone was gathered, symbolically and literally, around bread. With everything here serving to divide everyone, it is astonishing to see how simple things can bring people together.
MAB
The exhibit will be open until October 21, 2006, at the Israel Museum, Weisbord Pavillion. Further information: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/Home.aspx
MAB
The exhibit will be open until October 21, 2006, at the Israel Museum, Weisbord Pavillion. Further information: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/Home.aspx