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December 13, 2002/Tevet 8 5763, Vol. 55, No. 16
Multicultural event lacks Jewish element
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The "One Phoenix, One People!" multicultural event in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 14 - intended to celebrate the Valley's diversity of cultures and ethnicities - will lack an official Jewish organizational presence because the activities take place on the Sabbath, according to local leaders.
"We wanted to be there," said Cathy Wolf, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. But the local federation policy is to take part in programming on the Sabbath only if it is Sabbath-related, she explained.
"I know of a number of Jewish organizations that were not able (to participate) because of Shabbat," said Bill Straus, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.
The planners of the multicultural event wanted to include representatives of every faith community in the Valley, said Rory Gilbert, executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice, an event cosponsors.
"I respect Jewish organizations making a stand about the Sabbath" and choosing not to attend, she said.
Gilbert noted a number of Jewish organizations were asked to participate, including the federation, the ADL and various synagogues.
"One Phoenix, One People!" - co-sponsored by NCCJ, the Phoenix Human Relations Commission and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership - will bring together representatives of the Arab American, black, Native American, Hispanic and Asian communities in dance, music, song and art.
The event will begin with the third annual NCCJ "Walk As One" walk-a-thon and will be followed by an afternoon of multicultural activities at Patriots Square Park, located at Washington Street and Central Avenue in Phoenix.
This is the first time the three groups have worked together, an effort Gilbert describes as a "perfect marriage."
The NCCJ constituency of 2,000-3,000 people has experience hosting previous walks, and the city of Phoenix and Downtown Phoenix Partnership have brought business contacts, staff and resources, she explained.
Last year, the Phoenix Human Relations Commission sponsored a mid-week lunchtime multicultural event in downtown Phoenix attended by 250 people. The turnout encouraged leaders to plan a program this year on a larger scale, said Gilbert.
In 2003, the "Walk As One" event will take place on Sunday, providing the opportunity for Jewish groups to attend, said Gilbert.
"I hope next year (a joint program with 'Walk As One' and 'One Phoenix, One People') will be on a Sunday," said Jim Flynn, director of marketing for the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. Celebrating the multicultural aspects of the Valley needs to be more than a one-time event, he added.
The "One Phoenix, One People!" committee has voted to schedule next year's event on a different day than Saturday, said Carole Coles Henry, director of the Equal Opportunity Department of the City of Phoenix and spokeswoman for the Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
She said the decision has not yet been made as to whether it will be on a Sunday and paired with the NCCJ "Walk As One."
Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.
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