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Mosque, synagogue partner for Inn From the Cold community meal
4-08-2014
Local Jewish and Muslim residents are breaking bread, then serving it, at Inn From the Cold Good Friday.
Newmarket Islamic Centre and Or Hadash synagogue members will serve food as part of the Inn’s weekly community meal program, April 18.
This will be the first time the organizations have formally worked together with the Inn.
Or Hadash’s Peter Ginsberg and the Islamic Centre’s Wasim Jarrah met through the local Rotary Club, became friends and decided to work collaboratively to feed residents in need.
“Both of us wanted to do something to bring the mosque and synagogue together,” said Mr. Ginsberg, who lived in Israel. “The different communities in Newmarket should be building relationships with each other. Everybody should know everybody else.”
Canadians can set a great example of co-operation and understanding for the rest of the world to follow, given the political climate in the Middle East, Lebanon native Mr. Jarrah said.
“When you come to Canada, you put all your problems aside and do whatever is better for the community,” he said. “We have to contribute positively to the community.”
About 60 people are typically served during the meal, which runs 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Several groups volunteer to host meals throughout the year. They usually pay for the food, which typically consists of meat, potatoes, vegetables, salad and dessert.
Anyone in need of good food and companionship can participate — all you have to do is show up, Inn meal co-ordinator Marilyn Sorochan said.
It’s rewarding, because you get to meet many people you wouldn’t otherwise, she said.
Host groups typically shop, prepare and serve the meal, she said.
The volunteers will also learn about the plight of some of the people they’re serving, Mr. Jarrah said, adding people often see the homeless as a nuisance.
“Clients coming here already feel people are looking at them differently,” he said. “Every faith promotes understanding and helping individuals, regardless of social status. There are a lot of barriers people have to break.”
Mr. Ginsberg agreed.
“They all have their individual stories,” he said of the Inn’s clients. “There’s all different reasons for how they got here.”
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