Interfaith Garden Dedication Ceremony at Newton Andover Theological Seminary

Andover Newton Theological Seminary and Hebrew College are joined by members of roots and wings to dedicate the new interfaith garden that marks the border between the two seminary campuses. The dedication Ceremony was held on the Jewish Harvest Festival Day of Sikkot, 2009. Roots and Wings community members include B’nai Or Jewish renewal community, Old Path Sangha (of Tich Nhat Hanh lineage), and The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center. The ceremony culminated in the planting of a River Birch tree with three trunks representing our disparate spiritual journeys which are rooted from a single source. The ceremony is depicted by the following pictures:

Sukkot celebration and dedication of the new Interfaith Gardens.

Avi asks the community to take off their shoes.

Avi Introduces a member of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center who gave a teaching from the Koran about trees.

David Grinstien (in blue), a member of the Tikkun Olam Commity, Speaks on behalf of B'nai Or Jewish renewal Community, while the college's arborist Alan Cushing (red hat) tends the tree.

Laura from Boston's Old Path Sangha (buddhist community of Tich Nhat Hanh lineage) leads a planting meditation.

Reverend and Professor at Andover Newton Theological Seminary addresses the community.

Rabbinical student Adele from Hebrew College reads a dedication prayer from jewish liturgy.