Vegas faith communities aim at extremists, terrorists
This weekend is the Southern Nevada Sabbath and Weekend of Conscience among various faith communities in an effort to raise awareness of radical extremist groups and terrorist organizations.
Among those is the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which began as an al-Qaida splinter group under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Since its inception in 2004, the group has taken control of towns in Syria and Iraq as well as been responsible for hundreds of deaths.
Aside from raising awareness, congregations also sought to offer their prayers and advocate for change by encouraging their congregants to reach out to local and state representatives to stop ISIS.
Temple Sinai on Hillpointe Avenue in Las Vegas addressed ISIS in the midst of Sukkot, which commemorates the 40-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters.
Rabbi Malcolm Cohen told congregants that regardless of how far away the Middle East is, it’s important to realize how lucky they are to have basic necessities.
“The Sukkot is one of the foremost symbols of life and is meant to remind you that life, comfort and safety are not to be taken for granted,” he said. “It’s irrelevant how far away we are. We cannot forget what it means to be a member of the human race.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church on Pueblo Vista Drive in Las Vegas is also participating in the Southern Nevada Sabbath of Conscience.
The congregation sent a letter to church members, which said, “Pray for all the persecuted groups in these countries. Pray for peace and pray for those who have had to flee their homes because of these actions.”
Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.
