As a member of the Salesian Family Youth Center, I was reminded of a story from the life of Don Bosco when he was young and one of his best friends was Jewish. Despite their religious differences, they were able to do good for each other and work for the good of their community. This story came to mind on March 16, when I had the opportunity to participate in the Faith Leader Listening Session at the Jewish Federation.

The day was opened by Rabbi Michal Morris Kamil, who posed the question, “How to prevent homelessness” She masterfully illustrated how the Jewish community has been strangers and homeless throughout Sacred History and how they have taken action to prevent homelessness. Rabbi Morris shared with us how the Jewish community’s laws talk a lot about housing and how landlords should treat people who rent. They know that once you lose your home, you become a stranger. She invited us to become strangers to empathize with strangers and to give not only our means to help but also our hearts.

Listening to Rabbi Morris’ presentation reminded me of the importance of building bridges across differences, just as Don Bosco did with his Jewish friend. Don Bosco believed that by working together, people of different faiths and backgrounds could make a positive impact on their communities. His friendship with a Jewish person was a testament to his belief in the power of building relationships across differences.

The Faith Leader Listening Session at the Jewish Federation was a powerful reminder of the importance of networking for social change. As a member of the Salesian Family Youth Center, I believe that our organization can learn a great deal from this experience. By working with other faith-based organizations, we can make a positive impact on our community and beyond.

In conclusion, the story of Don Bosco and his Jewish friend is a powerful reminder of the importance of building relationships across differences. As we work towards creating a better world, let us remember that our similarities are greater than our differences. Let us continue to work together, just as Don Bosco did, to make a positive impact on our communities and beyond.