A Most Unusual Relationship
A Baptist Minister and a Reform Rabbi
by
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Alan Sherman authored an article printed in the Palm Beach Post on June 22, 1996, one day following the convention’s passing of the resolution. His response was direct and penetrating: “[T]he Southern Baptist Convention passed a formal resolution calling for renewed efforts to proselytize the Jewish community.” Referencing the Nazi Holocaust, he noted that since that time, the world “witnessed a series of Christian doctrinal reforms that greatly assisted constructive interfaith dialogue.” Then he wrote that Christendom had achieved a level of interfaith respect and had “abolished their campaigns to convert the Jews.” As a friend and colleague, I can fully understand Alan’s position as a Jew and a Jewish leader. As a Southern Baptist, he was incorrect in his assumptions and his interpretation stated in the article on the Resolution. Yet, I felt a deep respect for a man who was unafraid to stand up for his faith, his culture, and his forbearers. I was surprised to see a rebuttal to Alan’s article in The Palm Beach Post. A lady from Boynton Beach wrote a letter to the editor stating, “To claim that the elimination of one-third of the Jewish population … is at all related to the Baptist Church’s desire to share its love of Jesus is not only ludicrous but insulting to all Christendom.” She continued to state that the intent of Christians to extend a loving invitation to Jews to accept Christianity is not an attempt to erase Judaism. Her words resonated with me as a Southern Baptist, and I agree with her written statement. Yet, from his perspective, Alan did the right thing by immediately answering what he perceived as a major attempt to disrupt the existence of his people and his religious faith. I must say whenever he and I discussed issues such as this, he always listened with interest and expressed his disagreement with my positions and left me with a sense of gratitude for having a friend with whom he could openly discuss his opinions and feelings. He appreciated my acceptance—an acceptance I saw him give to many others throughout our friendship.
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About the Book
A Most Unusual Relationship traces the lives of two men from totally different backgrounds who were able to set aside their differences to serve effectively as chaplains in the US Army Reserves. That professional relationship turned into a serious friendship that lasted for nearly forty years. Alan Sherman, a Reform Rabbi with a strong “liberal” political viewpoint, received his commission in the Army after graduating Rabbinical School. Herb Sennett, born and raised in a strong Evangelical Protestant household with strong Republican political views received his commission after graduating The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had previously served as an infantry officer who resigned his commission upon completion of his six-year obligation under the draft. With that background, these two men met in 1985 when they both met as part of the same Army Reserve unity in West Palm Beach, Florida. Although both were a bit hesitant, they resolved to work together for the sake of the troops. When they received orders to active duty for Desert Shield/Storm in September 1990, they found themselves a room mates at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. During those first several months on active duty, Alan and Herb found that they both had a great deal in common besides their religious faith. The friendship began to blossom and was almost fully developed by May 1991 when they were both released from active duty. Their friendship continued to grow after they returned to West Palm Beach. What they went through together during that brief period sparked a friendship that has continued to not grow but to blossom. Decisions they made separately often pushed them together in an even deeper friendship on many levels. Their story is truly a must read about what can happen when people set aside their differences to serve a greater good for society.
About the Author
Herb Sennett (a Southern Baptist Minister) and Alan Sherman (a Reform Rabbi) are both retired Army Reserve Chaplains who served together in the same unit in South are both retired Army Reserve Chaplains who served together in the same unit in South Florida and on active duty during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Alan worked full time as Chaplain and Director of Community Relations for the Palm Beach County time as Chaplain and Director of Community Relations for the Palm Beach County Jewish Federation and Head of Chaplaincy at MorseLife Health System. Herb taught at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College. He is also active in the American Legion and The Military Officers Association of America. They are both fully retired and living in Palm Beach County, Florida.