36 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com As a small child growing up in Sunderland and Leeds, England, Yossi Refson watched how his father spread joy throughout his rabbinic .ministry and knew that one day he would follow this familiar path. When Refson came to the United States to study at rabbinic school in New York, he always imagined he would return to England. But when he met and married his wife, they decided to stay in America. In 2007, the Refsons moved to Mount Pleasant where they discovered there was a Jewish community searching for a hub. Working from home, the Refsons launched classes and programs and in 2016 they, along with friends from around town, built the Chabad of Charleston-Center for Jewish Life. There, according to Rabbi Refson, the mission is to find what the community wants and to make sure the Center serves those needs. “What makes Mount Pleasant such a special place,” the Rabbi said, “Is that Christianity has been so warm towards Judaism here. I’ve never experienced this level of connection, as if we are kin. We have been embraced by our non-Jewish neighbors, many who helped build the center. Some of the children who attend our preschool are not Jewish, but their families love our traditions. And after Oct. 7, so many church members have come to help by offering security groups to protect the Center. It’s wonderful that in Charleston, we are surrounded by people who respect our heritage.” “We encourage everyone to come to the table, unplug on a Sabbath by not looking at technology, blessing the food that we eat and studying the ancient mystical teachings and family traditions that our faith celebrates. All are welcome, conversion is not necessary to become part of the Jewish community.” The Rabbi explained that this time of year is significant because Chanukah is a celebration of when the Israeli Jews under Greek rule threw off the yoke of an oppressive regime that wouldn’t allow them to practice their religion. If Judaism had ended, the Rabbi added, Christianity would never exist. “Freely, publicly expressing gratitude for the freedom to celebrate our religion is even more special in Charleston where we have the annual menorah lighting in Marion Square, co-sponsored by the city with politicians All Walks of Faith Religious leaders shine diversity & inclusivity BY SARAH ROSE Editor’s Note: The following article is intended to show the strength of religious diversity and inclusivity across our community and how faith interconnects all of us regardless of differences in beliefs. A special thanks to St. Andrews Church, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Seacoast Church, Greater Goodwill AME Church, Chabad of Charleston, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for participating in this feature. Chabad of Charleston - Rabbi Yossi Refson.
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