SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Jewish leaders took part in the Blessing of the Waves in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Some 3,000 surfers and other ocean lovers showed up Oct. 3 for the Southern California interfaith event , which began with blessings offered by clergy of various faiths.
Rabbi Nachum Shifren, author of “Surfing Rabbi: A Kabbalistic Quest for Soul,” took to the waves with a handful of surfing priests at the third annual ceremony, which is dedicated to showing spiritual appreciation for the ocean and its gifts.
Speakers discussed their faith-based commitments to protecting the environment and warned of the dangers of global warming. Tongan and Samoan choirs in traditional dress sang hymns in honor of the ocean.
Most of Southern California’s world-class surfing beaches are in Orange County, where the first blessing of the waves celebration was organized in 2008 by the Catholic diocese.
The event used to begin at 7 a.m., but organizers changed it to 9 a.m. this year to attract more young people, said diocese spokesman Ryan Lilyengren.
“It’s a cool event and we want to attract young people from all faith traditions," Lilyengren said. "We realized that they’re probably not going to show up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday.”
Among the faith leaders in attendance was Carol Weinfeld, former education director at Reform Temple Beth David in nearby Westminster.
