A Brilliant Leader Unafraid of Another's Religion

Arab/Jew Walk Hand in Hand Arab and Jew Walk Hand-in-Hand

A Jewish woman expanded my soul’s ability to discover that Jews and Christians were not meant to be estranged, no matter how far apart we had historically been pulled.

Hedy Schliefer, with her husband Yumi, led the local chapter of the Foundation for Mideast Communication, a national fellowship of Jews and Arabs working the challenging dream of mideast peacemaking. We focused first on the difficult process of peacemaking among ourselves, chipping away at encrusted biases.

The Christian history was clear. We had badgered Jews from day one, insisting that they be baptized, and if they refused our Crusade, well, we’d find ways to deal with them. One jewish friend, Sarah, suffered a basic alienation: “I will never say the “J” (Jesus) word.” Her remark hurt but summed up the history.

I loved these new friends, their famous hutzpah, their zest for passionate dancing. Not nominal Jews, most were in love with the richness of Judaism. I was swept away by the Christian connections to their prayerful Friday night Shabbas meal. I sang Hebrew songs. Biblically speaking, wasn’t their religion Christianity’s parent? Should we be celebrating faith together?

Hedy was a brilliant counselor and humanitarian. I couldn’t resist the comparison: “You’re more a loving Christ than many of my Christian friends.” Without missing a beat she quipped: “Hey, Adele, don’t forget! He’s one of our boys.” But with these new friends, could I ever wear mother's gold cross without signaling past horror?

Leading the night’s meeting, Hedy notes my raised hand, "What's up?"

"I’ve got to say something.” I swallow hard, a fierce determination to say it right. Hedy’s outstretched arm gestures me up, covers my cold hand with her own.

“What do you want to say?” giving me a smile that breaks down terror,

I note the staring faces, the chairs, the hard wooden floor, the backdrop of blue painted walls, and a bare fluorescent light over a lone ficus plant. Could I say it? These friends knew my background as a former teaching nun. They knew that my Christian faith didn't stop at the door. They recognized I had no need to convert anyone anymore.

“Well, frankly, I carry a deep embarrassment about being Christian. I want to be a proud of it. Jesus is my friend. But it’s hard in front of you guys.”

My final line bubbles out and totally surprises me. “I want you Jews to know that Christ is the light of my life.” Without a blink or even a moment’s reflection, Hedy charges: “Go! Look each Jew in the eye and tell them just that.”

I stared at her, wide-eyed. I had no choice. It was a direct order from God!

I circle the room to every Jew only, bending down to look directly into their eyes, beginning with Hedy’s Orthodox husband, who had lost two sisters in the Holocaust.

“Yumi, Christ is the light of my life.” I move on. “Louise, Christ is the Light of my life” and so on until every Jew witnessed my confession.

Suddenly the room sounds strong applause. Many turn around to me as they clap. Tears of joy and relief. I was free.

Blessed Sarah approaches and wraps me in a long hug.

Let’s face it.The most insignificant pieces of our lives can influence and spring forth a complete change of heart. By a tiny event, or incident, or in this case, a loving command from a Jewish friend, I become more the person or the open Christian I was meant to be.

Perhaps Hey’s openess to the “other” is the kind of peacemaking the present world cries out for - one on one-- I to you- difference to difference embraced - unafraid to speak. Surely this kind of openness and trust can save the world.

By Adele Azar-Rucquoi