Watford and District Synagogue (WADS) hosted the start of the annual Watford Interfaith Pilgrimage.
Around 70 people from all faiths including Muslims, Christians, and Jews congregated at the shul for hot and cold drinks, biscuits and cakes before being welcomed by the Chair of the Watford Interfaith Association, Jeffrey Bateman.
This was followed by Elected Mayor, Peter Taylor, and Jeremy Taffel, Chair of WADS who spoke about the tolerance, understanding and respect between the communities in Watford and the recognition that our shared humanity, ethics and values far outweigh any details in the details of our beliefs or the rituals and practices of our religion.
He also spoke about the world being built on justice, compassion and selflessness before handing over to Rabbi Chalk, who spoke about the week’s Sedra and the Story of Abraham providing hospitality to the three strangers, putting their needs before his, and not realising till later that they were angels.
Rabbi Chalk then took a question and answer session on all aspects of Judaism and the Synagogue.
The meeting then moved on, via the Quakers Friends Meeting House, first to the Sunni Mosque, and then to the Shia Mosque. In both places, the gathering was addressed by both their imam and a lay leader. Both lay leaders, Councillor Asif Khan, and Azhar Abedi directly quoted from the messages given by Jeremy and by Rabbi Chalk in the Shul, and added examples from their faith about the importance of tolerance of other faiths and cultures.
The day ended with visits to Watford’s most magnificent Church, Holy Rood. Designed by the architect of Westminster Cathedral, it was a great contrast to the simplicity of the Friends Meeting House, and then to St Mary’s, the oldest church in Watford, dating back to 1200.
