By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

In a world where religion is often the catalyst for war, one community uses faith to build understanding. At Seabrook, in Tinton Falls, the interfaith aspect of the community brings people from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant faiths together.

“We don’t think of our neighborhoods or religions as separate. We think of it  as Seabrook, and I feel that the faith communities, in particular, foster that oneness,” says Roberta Bamrick, a member of the Catholic community and interfaith council.

Active faith communities
The three faith communities operate separately and in conjunction with each other.

The Catholic community, the largest of the three, holds mass twice a week—one on Saturday afternoon and one Sunday morning. The Jewish community holds Shabbat service Friday afternoons. And the Protestant community meets Wednesday evenings for an informal Vespers service and Sunday mornings for worship service.

Each also has programs and events, all of which are open to everyone who wants to participate.

Two members of each church form an interfaith council, which meets monthly. “We discuss events happening in our own faith community and how we can do things together that encompass all the faiths,” says Matt Diamond, president of the Jewish community. “It’s a very amiable situation.”

All are welcome
Diamond also says that not only do the different faiths respect each other, but they also welcome and respect people who profess to other faiths or to none at all. “We’re just one people here regardless of a person’s religious denomination,” he says.

Throughout the year the interfaith council offers spirituality seminars. One of the most popular invited people from faiths not currently represented at Seabrook to speak about their religion.