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Music saves. The Interfaith Celebration of Song hosted by Hillel and the Wesley Foundation proved people of different religions can come together this Tuesday night in Free Speech Alley. A tight knit group of 20 people gathered to sing various songs that represented their faith. Hillel, the Jewish student organization, and the Wesley Foundation, the Methodist student organization, combined for the event as part of a week-long interfaith celebration. Students are invited this week to Methodist and Jewish Shabbat services and a dinner. Moshe Cohen, math graduate and Hillel member, said he wanted the celebration to restore the good name of faith on LSU's campus. Cohen said students too often hold religion and Free Speech Alley in a negative light. "Faith is encouraging, warming," Cohen said. "It gives you power. It doesn't take it away." Cohen said he met with the Wesley Foundation, and they came together after brainstorming ideas. The group put together hymns of each faith teaching tunes each had never heard. Cohen said he wanted to celebrate in a loud, joyous way and show that communities of different faiths can come together. David Johnston, religious studies graduate, and Wesley Foundation member, said music is a part of all religions. "Judaism and Christianity come from a common place, and we can share songs together," Johnston said. "Music may bring us together where doctrine and theology might bring us apart." The group alternated from Jewish to Methodist songs. Onlookers walking by saw and heard the group in a circle with lit candles singing praises. Members requested their favorite songs, while people took turns playing the guitar. David Shuman, construction management junior, believed the singing would be a good experience. "Tonight, we can learn from each other and enjoy each other's company," Shuman said. The opening Jewish hymn set the stage for the message each group wanted to share: "Hineih ma tov u-ma nayim shevet achim gam yachad," meaning "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony." Songs ranged from "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah" and "God of Wonders." Before each song was sung, someone explained what it meant and how it made them feel when played. The singers encouraged everyone in attendance to dance and have "positive" feelings. The singers wanted a more peaceful celebration of faith than what is usually seen on Tuesdays in Free Speech Alley. Cohen said song is a human condition and we all come from our own places with our own songs. "We're all talking about love, brothers and doing good on this earth," he said.
---- Contact Jalissa Bates at jbates@lsureveille.com
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