For Immediate Release: December 22, 2003
Bet Havarim will conduct its monthly Shabbat service on Friday evening, January 16th, beginning at 7:30pm, at St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt.
Dr. James Wiggins, Executive Director of the InterReligious Council of Central New York will be guest speaker. The topic of Dr. Wiggins's talk is: "InterReligious Imperative: The Rapidly Changing Religious Landscape Challenges Us to Reach Out in Friendship or Recoil in Fear."
"In view of world events in recent years, Dr. Wiggins's talk will be timely and challenging," said Bet Havarim's Shabbat Committee Chairman, Mel Shindler, adding, "Dr. Wiggins's long-term commitment to fostering mutual understanding and respect among people of diverse religious beliefs is well known not only in our Central New York community but nationwide as well."
Upon joining the faculty of the Department of Religion at Syracuse University in 1963, Dr. Wiggins taught at all levels of the curriculum from freshman introductory courses such as Religions of the world and Comparative Themes and Issues in the Study of Religion to MA and PhD seminars and was Director of Graduate Studies from 1975 to 1980, subsequently becoming Religion Department Chair in 1980 and serving in this capacity until his retirement in May 2001. He is currently Remington Professor of Religion Emeritus. Dr. Wiggins's served on the Board of Directors of the IRC for four years and in 2002 became the Executive Director of the Interreligious Council of Central New York an agency that is the sponsor of seven standing service ministry programs and an inter-religious educational initiative.
A retired United Methodist Church Clergyman, Dr. Wiggins serves on the Board of Directors of the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center and is currently chair of its Long-Range Planning Committee. In addition, Dr. Wiggins hosts a weekly TV program on WCNY-TV, "Religion Matters" sponsored by the station and the IRC.
"Our Hanukkah service which was held jointly with our host congregation, St. David's Church and which featured a lively musical program of singing & dancing presented by the Keyna Hora Klezmer Band. The festive lights of the Hanukkiah brightened the evening's service and lent to the feeling of spirituality and understanding so prevalent at the service," said Bet Havarim founding member Marty Morganstein.
Bet Havarim's Shabbat Committee plans and conducts the Shabbat Services and hosts the Oneg Shabbat after each service. "From baking for the Oneg to helping create our services the Shabbat Committee deserves much credit for its efforts. The February service will honor Tu B'Shevat and is being created by committee members Wendy and Don Kates," said Shindler.
The public is cordially invited to the January 16th Shabbat Worship Service. For additional information about Bet Havarim, service schedules, D'vrei Torah, etc., visit Bet Havarim's website, email, or phone Marty Morganstein at 637-5390 or Mel Shindler at 478-6856.
St. David's Church is located on Jamar Drive in Dewitt, just off Maple Drive. At the intersection of Maple Drive and East Genesee St., just across from Wegmans, proceed south on Maple Drive and take the third right turn on Jamar Drive. St. David's is handicapped accessible.