Not just other writers and editors, but people concerned with all kinds of theological education, from all sorts of perspectives, in the US and Canada. And this summer I was especially fortunate to be able to interview people involved in theological education in maximum security prisons, and even to attend a graduation ceremony inside the walls of Sing Sing prison.
My article about the topic is now available in print and online.
I'll just repeat the words of Rabbi Douglas Krantz, who said, "This is where religion and faith and hope are tested. Finding light and hope, and helping people transform themselves, is essential work for all of us, no matter our religion."
Talking to people who work in prison education, and meeting some of the prisoners, was truly humbling.
I might just mention that going through security at Sing Sing is pretty intense. It's much more extensive than airport security. Everyone had to remove their jackets, shoes, watches, and jewelry. (We were allowed to put jackets and shoes back on before going in, but had to leave watches and jewelry in lockers in the anteroom.) We went through a metal detector and were patted down. We were not allowed to carry anything into the building, not even a pencil or a piece of paper (rather a hardship for a writer and reporter). The one exception was our driver's license, which we had to carry with us at all times.
It was a new experience for me, and therefore mildly interesting, but I kept thinking about the family members of the prisoners, who have to go through this over and over and over every time they visit.
After having our hands stamped (like the stamp you get when you enter a club or a theme park - but what a theme park Sing Sing is!), we found ourselves inside a large room filled with tables and chairs. This is where prisoners meet friends and family for visits. I was struck immediately by the presence of a room within this room, filled with toys and other things for toddlers and children. Of course - prisoners have children. How bittersweet those visits must be.
Here's a quote from Rabbi Krantz that didn't make it into print (as always, much of every article is edited out): "How do you find your way in that darkness? To me this is extraordinary, and these men are worthy of great respect."
On another, but slightly related note, today I took a photo of the sunflower in our garden that overcame a grave setback. I dropped the pot while transplanting it, and the main stem was badly broken. I thought it probably would not survive the accident, but left it alone to see what would happen.
It survived, though bent, and blossomed, and found the sun.
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