A Rabbi and His Dream: Building the Brotherhood Synagogue : A Memoir

This is an amazing story. During the first Intifada, Rabbi Block invited a Moslem Imam, the late Seif Ashmawi, to address the congregation, preaching peace. The Rabbi, in turn, took a group to the Mosque. If only more people in the world could see their way clear to such reconciliatory moves!

Amazing story of Eucumenism in NYCThe events described in this book are remarkable. First, this young accountant has what the Cristians consider a Calling, and goes to rabbinical school. Then, after fighting for Israel's independence, he founds a synagogue, dedicated to brotherhood between faiths, and to revival of Judaism, which has lost its appeal to the young.He forms a partnership with an equally idealistic Presbyterian minister, Dr. Jesse William Stitt, and the two travel all over the world, including Germany and Israel, enouncing the principles of peace between men. They do not renounce their principles - in fact when the team appears on a popular $64,000 Question' type program (each answering questions about the other's faith), Dr. Block has to resign due to earlier Shabbat, with the arrival of the Winter season (that was in the days of live TV). Dr Block (he has the DD doctorates from both his seminary and the General Theological Seminary (Episcopal) is called 'one of the ten most important Rabbis of this generation' by a leader of New York's Board of Rabbis.'Brotherhood is still the hope of this world' is his thrust, and he stands by it - he has invited a Muslim leader to make repeat speaking appearances in his synagogue's services in the early 1990s, at a time of huge stresses between the faiths, the earlier Intifada. I bring this out because today we need more of the same spirit, else the World as we know it is doomed. An important man, an important principle.

Rabbi Block is a wonderful writer and tells some very "real" and personal stories that bring to life both his personal journey as an individual and the story of the building of his unique urban congregation.This is a must read for those who have a particular interest in New York City recent history and the development of a unique Jewish leader.