Abrahamic Reunion Community Service Carmel Valley 2017

CARMEL VALLEY, California — On Sunday, January 22, 2017, more than fifty Jews, Christians and Muslims united at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church​ to feed the homeless and hungry of Monterey County. Orientation was led by The Rev. Rob Fisher of St. Dunstan’s Church, Br. Abdel Kader Seck, president of Islamic Society of Monterey County, and Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum of Congregation Beth Israel. Volunteers enjoyed getting acquainted in small buddy groups before working together to prepare kosher and halal meals for delivery to a Winter Warming Shelter in Salinas. Br. Agha Bilal prepared tasty chicken curry while volunteers sliced and diced fresh fruit and vegetables to make salads and dessert. Others filled breakfast bags with a bagel, fresh fruit and juice box, while still others prepared hot apple cider. Rev. Brian Bajari offered a blessing before volunteers dined together. Afterwards, a smaller group proceeded to the Winter Warming Shelter run by Community Homeless Solutions in Salinas, jam-packed with guests on a rainy night. Many were clearly elated after opening their clamshells and seeing the delicious meal. Hot apple cider and breakfast bags were also deeply appreciated. Shelter guests expressed special delight when hearing their meals came from a united efforts of Jews, Christians and Muslims—thanks be to God, baruch Hashem, الحَمْد لله

Photos courtesy of Ana Moran-Rivera and Daniel McCarthy. Image curator: Nathan Flohr.