Pittsburgh ice skating event brings together different faiths

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen says it’s remarkable how unremarkable it is — at least for Pittsburgh.

For the third year, Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims will lace up their ice skates, groove to music and grab a slice of pizza together Saturday at Hunt Armory in Shadyside.

“We’re all very intentional about wanting to be together as friends, despite what’s going on in the world,” said Jensen, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

The meetup, called Faith Night, will bring together the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, St. Jude Roman Catholic Parish, Tree of Life Synagogue and Calvary Episcopal Church.

About 300 people are expected.

“We don’t have to agree on everything to be good neighbors with one another,” Jensen said. “Ice skating together — it’s not going to change the world. We all know that. But maybe it will change the world in that it will let people see one another as neighbors.”

Rabbi Aaron Bisno, the founder of the Center for Interfaith Collaboration, said such gatherings are crucial to the community.

“I believe the future of religion is in interfaith collaboration, to look to our shared faith,” said Bisno, who is the Frances F. & David R. Levin Rabbinic Scholar at Rodef Shalom in Shadyside and the Rabbi-in-Residence at Calvary.

“This is what all of our traditions say we should do, to gather with our neighbors and break bread,” Bisno said. “And it’s fun. We deserve to have some fun, especially in a world where it doesn’t seem like there’s much to smile about.”