As the chosen people, the call of the Jewish person is to bring the world to an ethical monotheism, a rabbi said Monday night.
Rabbi Judy Chessin spoke to students during her presentation that kicked off the first Jewish Heritage Week at Ball State University sponsored by Hillel. Ball State's Hillel is the local chapter of the national Hillel, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Chessin, who was ordained in 1984, is a rabbi in Dayton, Ohio.
Chessin's program, titled "The Language of the Hewbrewman," looked at modern culture and how the Jewish faith fits in.
Chessin answered questions about the differences that exist between Judaism and other religions by citing what the religions have in common.
"When our religions are practiced right they speak to the same values," she said. "The things that divide us are not as important as the things that should unite us."
Chessin also discussed the "I am Jewish" campaign that is underway. The campaign focuses on attracting attention to the Jewish faith by encouraging famous non-Jews, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, to make the statement "I am Jewish." "I am Jewish" were some of the last words spoken by Daniel Pearl , the Jewish journalist who terrorists killed in 2002, just before he was beheaded.
Pearl's parents published a book titled "I am Jewish," a culmination of testimonials from many well-known Jews, such as Larry King, telling what being Jewish means to them.
"All of these testimonials struck me as so real and powerful, and they all speak to who we are as Jews," Chessin said.
Senior Erica Jenkins said the ideas Chessin presented were similar to her own religious beliefs .
"I really enjoyed it," Jenkins said. "I am very tolerant of other people's beliefs and enjoy learning about their heritage and culture."
Jewish Heritage Week continues tonight with a showing of the film "Keeping the Faith" at 8:30 in Pruis Hall.
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