Читать книгу Jews and Christians Together - A. Christian van Gorder - Страница 5

You cannot put “Thank you” in your pocket.

—Yiddish Proverb

I (van Gorder) would like to thank Donna Oberstein Allen and Dr. Howard Kenig for their assistance in classes we taught together at Messiah College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Before he passed away, Howard’s stoic embrace of life’s unfair assaults was a great source of inspiration. This book could not have been possible without Dr. Kenig. In Waco, I have also been grateful for the able assistance of Cantor Monica O’Desky, Rabbi Moti Rotem, and Rabbi Laura Harari from Temple Rodef Shalom.

I (Fuller) would like to thank those teachers who have been committed agents of change in my life and in their communities. Thanks particularly to Congregation Agudath Jacob during my tenure there for the ability to work in the community, and to my teachers, Rabbi Judith Abrams (of blessed memory), Rabbi Yitz Cohen, Danny Siegel, and Rabbi Yosef Leibowitz. I’m also appreciative of my regular colleagues at the monthly multifaith ministers’ lunch—Jimmie Johnson, Charlie Packard, Charley Garrison, Rick Koskela, Nathan Stone, and Margo Ford. Rabbi Kerry Olizky of the Jewish Outreach International and Diane Tobin of Bechol Lashon have been crucial in helping me understand “Big Tent Judaism.” Special thanks to our mutual friend Dr. Stanley Hersh (of blessed memory) whose wit and wisdom were constant companions to us both.

Special thanks to Heather Carraher, Michael Thomson, and Robin Parry of Wipf and Stock for their tireless support and assistance in this project.

Special thanks to our families especially Vivian Ndudi Ezeife Van Gorder and Sharon Beirne Fuller: We are blessed beyond compare to have known such support. We write in hopes that the Van Gorder children: Patrick, Brendan, Keegan, Michael, Tatijiana, Gretchen, Andrew, Erik, Tristan, Clare, and Grace; and the Fuller children and grandchildren: Evan and Jessica (Maya and Naomi), and Eliana and Gemma (Gabriel and Miriam), will find this book of benefit in their own journeys in interfaith engagements.