Temple to honor Bishop's efforts

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard will be recognized for his leadership in forging links between Christians and Jews, and for his development of interreligious dialogue among various faith communities when he receives the inaugural Circle of Humanity Award from Temple Israel in Albany during a March 28 ceremony.

The award is presented to a group or individual that represents a commitment to the enhancement of human life and whose spirit of humanity transcends the norm. The award is a sculpture of five individuals standing side by side in a circle, representing the Circle of Humanity.

In addition to Bishop Hubbard, The College of Saint Rose Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary, named in his honor, is an award recipient. Prior to the ceremony, the Havdaleh, or separation service between the Sabbath and the remainder of the week, will be celebrated.

Bridge-builder

Louis-Jack Pozner, Temple Israel president, said that Bishop Hubbard was an obvious choice for the Circle of Humanity Award because of his close involvement not only with Temple Israel and the Jewish community, but also with Christian and non-Christian denominations.

"There is no question that the interdenominational relations that exist now are closer and warmer than they ever have been," Mr. Pozner said. "He's always building bridges between different groups."

Temple Israel Rabbi Paul Silton agreed that the relationship between the Jewish and Christian communities has improved dramatically under Bishop Hubbard's leadership.

"He's had the courage, in a number of instances, to be very forthright about the past and to build very strong bridges in the present for the future," Rabbi Silton said. "He's always been there for the Jewish community and for me, personally."

Honored

Bishop Hubbard said he was "very humbled and honored" to learn that he would be receiving the award from Temple Israel. However, he was quick to point out numerous groups and events that have helped unite the Christian and Jewish communities in the Capital District during his 21 years as bishop:

* The diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs has conducted living-room dialogues in which people from the Catholic and Jewish communities have reached a greater understanding of one another's faith perspectives.

* In 1986, a Reconciliation Service, "From Fear to Friendship," was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany as a way of bridging the gap between Catholics and Jews. A sculpture outside the Cathedral, titled "Portal," helped to commemorate that event, which "has served as a model for Jewish-Christian dialogue and relationships across the country," Bishop Hubbard noted. An anniversary celebration was offered 10 years later to mark the historic ceremony.

* Interfaith pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and Geneva, Switzerland, have been made by Catholics, Jews and Protestants since the mid 1980s. Bishop Hubbard attended the first of these trips. Future pilgrimages may include members of the Muslim community.

* The Jewish-Christian Institute at Siena College in Loudonville is an annual symposium which brings together leaders from the Catholic, Jewish and Protestant communities, as well as several nationally known speakers. Bishop Hubbard traditionally delivers a lecture during the event.

* He also mentioned that the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary, which opened last year, "provides an opportunity for students of the campus to gather to foster greater interfaith dialogue and understanding."

Solid relations

Through these groups and events, Bishop Hubbard pointed out, relations between the Christian and Jewish communities have "grown and solidified" during his years as bishop.

Although issues or conflicts may arise from time to time, "we are able to sit down and talk about them as members of a family, rather than strangers at a negotiating table."

Bishop Hubbard is pleased to receive the Circle of Humanity Award but added that he will do so "not in my name, but in the name of both the Jewish and Catholic communities."

(03-26-98) [[In-content Ad]]