Montreal, Canada - May 23rd was a beautiful holiday Monday in Montreal [Victoria Day/National Patriots' Day]. The Canadian Center for Ecumenism and the Center for Jewish-Christian Dialogue organized an interfaith clean-up at Mackenzie King Park with the support of the City of Montreal. Over 250 men, women, and children of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other faiths gathered to clean the park in mid-town Montreal in a show of solidarity. At the invitation of the Anthony Mansour, Executive Director of the Canadian Center for Ecumenism, UPF-Canada on very short notice arranged for over 40 men women and children to take part.
After sign-up and being provided with garbage bags, gloves, and a T-shirt, the enthusiastic group listened to the organizers' safety instructions and directions on what kind of garbage to look for. The Honorable Mark Garneau, Member of Federal Parliament and Canada's first man in space, then shared a few words of encouragement and then got to work with his son and all present to collect dozens of bag loads of garbage. After a couple of hours of hard work, everyone returned for a group photo and to hear Rabbi Schacar Orenstein of Canada's first synagogue (founded in 1768) share his heartfelt comments with the interfaith group.
For most, this was followed by a picnic lunch.