Aaron Scholnik, Temple Beth Sholom board member, opens the Evening of Thanks. (Journal photos by Trinity Carey)

MARQUETTE — Individuals of varying faiths met in the Temple Beth Sholom Tuesday for the annual Interfaith Forum Evening of Thanks.

Prayers, readings and songs were heard from the many faith groups in Marquette including Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Christian, Buddhist, Baha’i, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker and Anishinaabe.

The event began with an invitation to participate in a moment of silent meditation from Zen Buddhist Tesshin Paul Lehmberg.

Muslim Mohey Mowafy followed with a brief reading that noted no matter ones religion, they all share the same nuance of promoting thankfulness. That shared idea among the many different religions, “it is beautiful,” he said.

Aaron Scholnik, board member of the Temple Beth Sholom, hopes those who attended the event left with the message “American people of faith, people without any, are all equal,” he said.

The gathering of a multitude of faiths helps to foster healthy conversation free of animosity, Scholnik said.

“I think any example for people who can meet together coming from different points of view, of religions and culture and can discuss problems civility and without rancor and with good intentions is a welcome example for hopefully, not only this town and this county, but also the country,” he said.

The Evening of Thanks is an example of how society can interact to reach a common goal. He hopes this sense of cohesiveness is one people will take forward into the holiday season.

“I think that no matter what problems we may think this country is having, it is still a beacon of freedom of faith and thought of congregating together and that’s what we’re doing today and we invite the community to come and join in on this,” Scholnik said.

The Interfaith Forum is a group of individuals who gather monthly to discuss various topics that bear on religion, faith or culture and explore how they all approach the same problem. Scholnik encouraged anyone interested in similar discussion to attend a forum meeting, which takes place on the first Friday of each month, September through May, or to call the Temple Beth Sholom at 906-362-3388. They also may sign up for their newsletter, which can be found at tbsmqt.org.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is tcarey@miningjournal.net.