“Somerset County diversity awards recognize cultural awareness - MyCentralJersey.com” plus 1 more

Somerset County diversity awards recognize cultural awareness - MyCentralJersey.com

Posted: 18 Nov 2010 10:18 AM PST

SOMERVILLE — When Rev. Ed Murphy hears expressions of gratitude from different religions and cultures, he's struck by how similar many of them are.

"It's almost like the high point of my spiritual year to hear the Sikhs chant in Punjabi,'' said Murphy, who helps coordinate an annual service of gratitude on behalf of the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition. He also spoke enthusiastically about many other religions that participate in the coalition's Thanksgiving dinner each year.

It's one thing to sit and listen to someone merely speak about their culture, said Murphy, of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Bridgewater.

"It's harder to make music and bring food from your culture and share it, and mingle afterward, and really get to know someone from the other side of the world who's now an American citizen and has gratitude for being here,'' he said.

Such cultural exchanges are the hallmark of the Diversity Coalition. The group's Thanksgiving dinner, scheduled for Saturday night, also features an awards ceremony highlighting those in the community who have worked for interfaith and intercultural understanding.

Those being honored are Sue Reardon of Readington Middle School, who has been working with social studies teachers on intercultural education; SEWA International, a human service organization with a new chapter in New Jersey; NJ Students for Change in Franklin, a diverse group of students raising money for national and international projects; Rabbi Jack Kramer of Congregation Knesseth Israel in Bound Brook; Children's Museum in Bridgewater, a group that holds activities for children including a holiday event focused on different cultures; and Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Township), a supporter of the
coalition's activities.

"It's good for the congregation,'' said Kramer of his award, for participation in various interfaith efforts. Congregation Knesseth Israel is ""very open to everybody,'' he said, and periodically hosts visitors from other religions to compare notes about similarities and differences of faith.

The awards dinner will be Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Somerville branch of the Somerset Valley YMCA, 2 Green St. in Somerville. Tickets are $30 per person. Call 908-369-4318 or e-mail sccdc@comcast.net to attend.

The interfaith service of gratitude is scheduled for Tuesday at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1350 Washington Valley Road in Bridgewater, at 6:30 p.m. Call Murphy at 732-881-6282 for more information or to be represented.

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