Herzlia High School’s Student Representative Council hosted an
Interfaith Evening on the 3rd of May 2012. Students from a number of
schools across the Cape Peninsula participated in the evenings events. Also in
attendance were the 2011 and 2012 Face to Face/Faith to Faith home groups as
well as the Face to Face Alumni Committee.
Herzlia High School
The evening began with a series of interactive activities to
explore first impressions as well as similarities and differences which proved
to be effective ice breakers.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Sonja Kruse (TheUbuntu
Girl). She delivered her personal and captivating story about walking around
South Africa with only a backpack, a camera and R100.00 so that she could
explore the unity and the spirit of ubuntu amongst the people of South Africa.
"Undoubtedly the youth are the peacemakers of the future. Through Interfaith dialogue and discussion they can learn to understand each other and create a pathway to peace and acceptance among religions and cultures.” Jaime Uranovsky 12th grade student at Herzlia High
From left: Jaime Uranovsky(Herzlia), Sonja Kruse (Ubuntu Girl) & Jessie Zinn (Herzlia). Both Jaime and Jessie were 2011 F2F participants and the organizers of this event.
“How tolerant is your community and what can you do realistically
to make it more tolerant?” was the subject of the panel discussion that
followed.The panel consisted of a diverse,dynamic, entertaining and interesting
group of individuals who represented the three Abrahamic faiths: Mr.
Mohamed Kagee (representing Islam), Rabbi Greg Alexander (representing
Progressive Judaism), Reverend Natalie Simons (the Anglican representative), Mr
Saul Kaplan (representing Orthodox Judaism) and Father Stephan Hippler (the
Catholic representative). Many thought-provoking and original topics and
responses were discussed. The concept most deliberated was the idea that tolerance should not be
something to aim for but merely be a stepping stone on the way to peace and
acceptance between religions and cultures. The students attempted to tackle
the real issues of conflict between religions in the questions they posed to
the panel.
The Panel
The Face to Face Alumni Committee ran some fun activities to show
why one should embrace others perspectives and how easily information can be
misunderstood and misrepresented.
Students from Al-azhar High, Herzlia High, Islamia College, St Cyprians Girls, St George's Grammar and Westerford High enjoying the event.
Each guest was asked to bring a religious or cultural object which
was of personal significance. At each table, each student explained this
religious or cultural object to their group to help them understand ‘other’ faiths
on a more personal level.
Students sharing their religious object of personal significance
 |
| Students from the representative schools along with F2F Alumni Committee members |
Pictures were provided by Jaime Uranovsky and Sonja Kruse
