My view: Religious cooperation, respect abound in Santa Fe
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5/4/2008 - 5/4/08
I was extremely touched and deeply inspired by the recent visit of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to America. The television coverage was as dramatic and as emotional as anything that I have ever witnessed.
Here is a man, a very senior citizen, physically frail, yet a man who has the strength of body and the acuteness of mind to preside over the vast and complicated Roman Catholic Church. Of particular interest to me was his visit to a synagogue. Yet, I must say this was not the first time that the Catholic Church has blessed the Jewish community and honored a rabbi.
I have been a rabbi in Santa Fe since 1974, with the exception of 1991-1995. It is my personal practice and deep joy to attend Midnight Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The Rev. Monsignor Jerome Martínez y Alire is kind enough to save seats for me in the second row, in the nuns' section. About 1,500 people pack the cathedral, representing all ages and walks of life. Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan sees me and reaches out to hug me. In 2006, the monsignor announced that "Rabbi Helman is here and has been coming for several years." I am cheered. But it's not me, with my many faults, who is being honored; the respect is to a rabbi who is symbolic of the Jewish community.
The Hebrew name for God, Y H V H, appears on the front of the basilica. Tradition has it that Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy was short of funds to build the church, and he went to a group of Jewish merchants who were playing poker. They all contributed to the pleadings of the archbishop, and the church was built. It's a great story, whether apocryphal or not. Will Cather mention it in her classic book, Death Comes for the Archbishop.
Oh yes, a mezuzah, or Jewish scroll, with inscription from biblical passages in it, can be found at La Posada, the downtown hotel. It was placed there by the prior owner, a Syrian gentleman, and blessed by me. The hotel had been the residence of a Jewish family.
The Protestant community also has been wonderful in dialoging with the Jewish community. Such persons as the Rev. Holly Beaumont and the Rev. Benjamin Larzelere have been instrumental in arranging Christian-Jewish dialogue groups and in bringing outstanding speakers to Santa Fe.
I've been privileged to serve as chaplain at the state Legislature for 13 years. My successor will be the Rev. Wayne Hammar of the First Christian Church. I have invited clergy of all backgrounds, from Orthodox Christians to Muslims to ultra-liberal ministers to offer opening prayers.
Where else, except New Mexico, would a rabbi from such a small Jewish population play such a role in the religious life of the state Legislature?
My own synagogue, Beit Tikva, its members, and especially its executive director Gail Rapoport, have been equally supportive to me. We started the congregation 13 years ago by renting a space in the Lutheran Church of the Servant. Today, we have our own sanctuary. The building is too small for the services of the High Holy Days, but never fear, our Christian neighbors are there, especially the First Presbyterian Church and the Capital Christian Church. Others have permitted us the use of their facilities for the Jewish New Year and other occasions. Love and cooperation abound in Santa Fe.
Beit Tikva means house of hope. We have high hopes for our future.
We need to build classrooms and offices. I need to be another Archbishop Lamy ...
Rabbi Leonard A. Helman of Congregation Beit Tikva is a long-time cornerstone
of Santa Fe's rich spiritual community.