Building a Better Bensalem Together hosted 14th annual Unity Week to celebrate diversity in the community
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Unity. The quality or state of not being multiple. Oneness.
This is the Merriam-Webster’s definition of that short and sweet word, though its real-world meaning is anything but simple. In today’s day and age, “oneness” is difficult to achieve. Too often, we’re timid when a culture or religion is different than our own. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of running from diversity, the Bensalem community embraced it during its 14th annual Unity Week celebration.
From Jan. 15 -19, in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day, nine local houses of worship opened their doors, inviting people of all backgrounds and religions to participate in their respective services.
The week encompassed a variety of churches, mosques and synagogues, including Love Fellowship Tabernacle, Bensalem United Methodist Church, St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Bensalem AME Church, St. Ephrem’s RC Church, Linconia Tabernacle, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Faith Unity Islamic Organization and Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
Morning, afternoon and evening events were held throughout the week, each featuring a unique religious service and light refreshments. Whether somebody visited one house of worship or all nine, they had the chance to expand their horizons and understand their neighbors just a little bit better.
This vision to unite the residents of Bensalem began in 1998 with the beloved Rosemary Adiletto, who helped kick-start the volunteer coalition Building a Better Bensalem Together, the main organizer of Unity Week, Red Ribbon Week and Prescription Drug Take-Back, among other initiatives. The sole mission of B3T is to create a safe, healthy place for Bensalem residents, especially its younger generations.
To help foster a community of acceptance and understanding, the first Unity Week was launched 14 years ago. The initiative began with four participating houses of worship, and has significantly expanded since thanks to the work of the Diversity Committee, a subgroup within B3T.
“The Diversity Committee’s mission is to promote harmony in the community,” said committee chair Toby Kahn, who has been involved with B3T for almost 12 years.
According to Kahn, B3T purposefully plans Unity Week to align with Martin Luther King Day, a national celebration of peace and love. To help kick off the festivities, B3T teamed with Ron Davis, director of diversity and community development at Parx Casino, to host a special breakfast at Parx East on Jan. 15.
Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo, Director of Public Safety Fred Harran and numerous township representatives were present, along with a few members of the local clergy. After everyone was settled in with heaping plates of eggs and bacon, Davis recognized several “Champions of Diversity” who were voted on by the B3T executive committee. The recipients included Rowayda Jaaf, who accepted her plaque on behalf of the four YWCA Family Centers, since the other three were unable to attend. Additional recipients include Habitat for Humanity and BKO Hunger, among other organizations.
B3T volunteers then recited a poem by Dr. Marilyn Kern-Foxworth entitled “Me and My M&M’s,” copies of which were placed on each table, along with packs of the colorful candy.
A portion of it read: “Wouldn’t it be nice if, like M&M’s, our prejudices melted into the abyss like chocolate melts in our mouth? And all people were judged by what was inside rather than the color you see on the outside?”
It was a simple, straightforward message that Kahn hopes will eventually carry beyond Bensalem and MLK Day.
To conclude the morning, Davis gave all attendees an assignment — write an obituary. Though he was at first met with confused stares, attendees quickly understood. Davis explained this activity would allow them to see where their priorities lie, how they’re helping others and what aspects of their lives can be improved upon this year.
“What will your legacy be?” he asked. ••
Keep up with Building a Better Bensalem Together at bensalemb3t.org.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
