Mishkan Torah to welcome back Reverend Dan Hamlin for talk on trip to Vietnam

Reverend Hamlin, a minister in the United Church of Christ, retired in the summer of 2012 as Pastor of the Greenbelt Community Church after twenty-eight years of service to continue his ministry in the areas of inter-faith relations and water supply in Africa. In March, 2013, Reverend Hamlin travelled the length of Viet Nam with a small group of American civilians and veterans. He met many Vietnamese veterans of the Viet Nam. He saw the lingering effects of toxic defoliants used in the conflict; talked with university students for whom the war is ancient history; visited battle sights; and heard stories ranging from the humorous to the heart-wrenching.

On January 26, Reverend Hamlin will discuss such topics as the importance of listening to veterans. He will present slides of Viet Nam today and tell stories to illustrate how a war-ravaged country with a very different culture has come to terms with its former enemies. Mishkan Torah’s Rabbi Jonathan Cohen will conclude the program with insights into the Jewish perspective on reconciliation. The event is free and open to the entire public. All are welcome to attend what promises to be a challenging and informative program.  Mishkan Torah is located at 10 Ridge Road, Greenbelt, Maryland.