Shehecheyanu starts Wellington council meeting

December 17, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Read on for article

The New Zealand capital city’s council meeting started off differently this week.

David Zwartz [back to camera] recite Shehecheyanu at the Council meeting

Following representations from the Wellington Interfaith Council, the Wellington City Council began as usual with a Karakia (Maori prayer), followed by a Shehecheyanu.

“The special occasion today is the opening of the monthly council meeting with an interfaith prayer,” said the Interfaith Council representative, David Zwartz.

“Not all New Zealanders adhere to a faith or follow an organised religion. About half our population do, a large number of whom come from ethnic minorities.

David Zwartz

By agreeing to open your monthly proceedings with an interfaith prayer, Wellington City Council is sending a message that it values diversity and inclusion, and aims for social cohesion.

This message is specially important just now as we digest the report of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch Mosques massacre,” Zwartz pointed out.

Your decision will be welcomed by the minority and interfaith communities around Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights which has affinities with similar observances in nearly all the world’s traditions and cultures – like the Star of Bethlehem in Christianity, Diwali in Hinduism and Sikhism, and the kinara of Kwanzaa.

The symbolism of light overcoming darkness, of light representing goodness, is universal.

May such light help this council in its deliberations and decision-making,” he concluded.

Comments

One Response to “Shehecheyanu starts Wellington council meeting”
  1. Benjamin Clyde Arthur Lewis says:

    Good to see this, Thankyou David Zwartz.

    May Light continue to overcome darkness.

    Shalom

Speak Your Mind

Comments received without a full name will not be considered
Email addresses are NEVER published! All comments are moderated. J-Wire will publish considered comments by people who provide a real name and email address. Comments that are abusive, rude, defamatory or which contain offensive language will not be published

Got something to say about this?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.