A Real Case of Swine Flu

One of the things that makes the Chicago area a unique place to live is its diversity.  It’s home to people from all over the world, ethnicities, heritages and religions

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This isn’t a new found discovery – it’s the way it has been for decades. 

Multiculturalism and diversity is being taught, practiced and accepted in all aspects of our society.  We’re not a homogeneous society and we can learn a lot about other cultures by exchanging ideas and experiences.

Experiences – like attending other houses of worship, which can be a great way to learn and understand how different religions observe their beliefs and how they like to serve the community.  Let me say that again – serve the community.

So, for the sake of argument, a local church is hosting, say, a pig roast and opens it to the community, it’s an invitation – not an attempt to convert the community.

So, for the sake of argument, a member of the Village Board mentions it at a meeting, he’s simply letting the community know.  And say, for the sake of an argument, it appears in the village newsletter, it appears as a community announcement.  Period.  Some people like pig roasts, much in the same way as people line up outside synagogue doors for a rummage sale.  They’re community events sponsored by a house of worship.  

No big deal, right?

It is if you’re Rob “I need my name in headlines” Sherman. It seems as though the Boy Blunder is suing the village for “advancing religion”.  Really?  I know there have been some trustees who have seen themselves as sacrificial lambs, but Sherman seems to be confused when it comes to practicing and promoting.  The village provides information about events open to the public.  It does not advocate the practice of any specific religion.  If, for example, the village was including promotional material about an event at a specific church, synagogue or mosque, then maybe, just maybe, Robby Pooh would have a case.

But that’s not what’s happening here. It’s village officials making light of what’s available to the community.  Sherman, however, becomes the knight in shining armor for orthodox Jews by saying the village is forcing them to eat non kosher food.  Unlike Sherman, Orthodox Jews have a deep and genuine sense of conviction and the fact that an organization is having a pig roast is their business and not a personal affront to their beliefs.  They don’t need headlines.

Sherman, however, does, or thinks he does.  His web site screams comments made by Village President Jeff Braiman in the media about the issues.  What Sherman hasn’t done, however, is talked with Braiman to discuss the matter.  I know he didn’t because I checked with Braiman, which is more than Sherman did.

So the Boy Blunder will continue to wave his “I’m a hero” flag by claiming the village is wasting money by promoting a community event.  Remember, this is the same Rob Sherman who wanted to be an elected official.  He’s still waging a war of word on Village Clerk Jan Sirabian who is a member of Hope Lutheran Church where the pig roast will be held.  Yes, the church is in Long Grove, but it does serve the Buffalo Grove community because, after all, a conviction of faith does not have city limits. 

Interestingly enough, Mr. Fiscal responsibility says taxpayer’s money is being wasted promoting a community event, but yet sees nothing wrong with taxpayer’s money being spent to counter a lawsuit he filed, which in essence is little more than another publicity stunt to boost his own ego.  It’s disturbing to think that he’s doing this at not just taxpayers’ expense, but also at the expense of a house of worship. 

If Sherman really wants to help out, he should attend Sunday’s pig roast at Hope Lutheran Church.  That way if they run out of pig, they’ll have a fallback.

(For the record, Hope Lutheran Church is sponsoring its annual this Sunday from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the church grounds.  Cost is $10.)