"A rabbi and a pastor walk into a Rotary Club meeting," was how Rotary Club of Jacksonville President Bill Mason began Monday's program at the Omni Downtown.
References to old jokes aside, Mason then introduced Congregation Ahavath Chesed Senior Rabbi Joshua Lief, a member of the club, and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kyle Reese, president-elect of the Rotary Club of San Marco.
Their topic was the promise and peril of interfaith dialogue.
Lief said as the leader of Jacksonville's oldest synagogue, he realizes his congregation represents "the Jewish face of Jacksonville."
He said knowing and working with members of other faiths is an important part of his responsibility.
"I consider interfaith work a privilege and a blessing. It's an opportunity to provide a Jewish voice and answer questions about Judaism. The idea of representing the Jewish community to the bigger world is an amazing opportunity," said Lief.
"If we want to share what we believe, we have to accept that other people believe differently," he said.
Reese said communication among people of all faiths is important for the entire community.
"The promise of interfaith dialogue is realizing this community belongs to all of us," Reese said.
He said interfaith dialogue can create challenges because a person of one faith might not always recognize the traditions of another faith.
Reese cited his and Lief's "pulpit exchange" program in which they periodically visit each other's congregations and lead services.
He said one year, Lief called to say he was available for the exchange on Easter Sunday. Reese asked Lief if he could select another date to visit the church.
"Easter Sunday is a pretty big day for us," said Reese.
Lief said the Table of Abraham program, an initiative of OneJax Inc., is an excellent example of faith-based communities coming together to share their beliefs.
"We eat a meal and learn how others worship God," he said.
An issue that divided the community, including the faith-based community, was the controversy over Jacksonville's human rights ordinance that was rejected by City Council.
Lief said he "was and still is" in favor of equal rights for all people.
After the legislation was defeated, he said he had lunch with Mac Brunson, First Baptist Church senior pastor, who opposed the ordinance.
"The key to successful interfaith dialogue is actually talking. We as pastors are willing to talk to each other and that can transfer to our congregations." said Lief.
Reese said the youngest members of the faith-based community provide an example for all members.
"Children have a remarkable ability to celebrate diversity. We, as adults, need to catch up," he said.
Asked their opinions on prayer at Council meetings, Lief said he'd like the Council to recognize that government is open to all people.
"In my opinion, an invocation is not a personal prayer, but a prayer for all of us," said Lief.
"I would prefer that we not have exclusionary prayer. I would prefer they take a moment of silence," he said.
Reese said worship associated with public government meetings comes down to the setting.
"In a civic setting, my personal theology is that the Christian thing to do is to take into account all the people who are there. I'd like to see a moment of silence, then move on to the City's business," he said.
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