Elijah Joins Pope Francis on his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Members and representatives of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders were in Israel on the occasion of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew's recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Pope Francis had agreed to a public endorsement and blessing of Elijah's Center of HOPE project, and several of our leaders came to Israel for this important occasion. Last minute changes to the program led to a postponement of this event, but the intention and support in principle are an asset that Elijah looks forward to cultivating in the months ahead. Elijah was nevertheless able to make meaningful headway in its activity through media attention it received during the papal visit (in relation to the Center of HOPE). Several Elijah leaders participated in a meeting with the Pope at the home of President Shimon Peres. and on the evening after his departure held an Interreligious Forum to discuss the significance of the visit.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh (Sikh) of Elijah’s Board of World Religious Leaders, joined by Sukhbir Singh, flew in from Birmingham in order to be present at this historic moment. Maria Reis Habito, representing Dharma Master Hsin Tao (Buddhist leader), along with Sadhvi Bhagavati Saraswati, (Hindu), who joined us from India, also took part in these programs. The presence of non-Abrahamic faiths during the papal visit and in relation to the intended endorsement of the Center of Hope were intended to signal Elijah's view that Jerusalem, sacred for Jews, Christians and Muslims, is a global spiritual center, that is also of significance to members of other religions. At a time when the Pope was extending the message of positive relationships between the three Abrahamic faiths, their presence underscored Elijah’s vision of Jerusalem as a beacon of hope for ALL religions to meet in harmony.

Alon Goshen-Gottstein and Bhai Sahib Bhai also joined Rabbi David Rosen who hosted Patriarch Bartholomew, creating an additional moment of East meets West within the broader pilgrimage.

The HOPE vision found striking expression in the course of the meeting with the Pope, in the words of President Peres. As if quoting from the HOPE brochure, President Peres appealed to the words of the Prophet Isaiah that Jerusalem should be a House of Prayer for all people. He also offered an inspiring and memorable reflection, so apt for our project, in stating that even though “I was young and now I have grown old", I have learnt that dreams do not age. May our own dream never lose its freshness.

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