From Fear to Embracing: A Multifaith Chanting Experience

Fear of the “other”—and those who would exploit such fears—is a root cause of many of the profound divisions troubling our world. Faith traditions contain powerful teachings and resources to help us overcome such fears in ourselves and those we reach out to. This observance highlights such teachings, from Jewish traditions and others, through the medium of text study and chanting. We move from an examination of the origins of fear to practices that can help us transcend it and instead learn to embrace those we have feared. The chants taught and used during this observance come from a variety of sources, including Rabbi Daniel Swartz, who is leading this observance, and Rabbi Shefa Gold, his chant-mentor. No prior chanting experience is necessary and all are welcome to participate. Sound files of the chants are available to those who participate so that they can bring these teachings to their communities, continuing the healing of divisions.