Rumi Forum had its monthly circle on April 18, 2024, to study Abrahamic scriptures on the topic of “Scripture” with our study leader, Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass, from Congregation Har Shalom.

Scriptural Reasoning (SR) allows Christians, Jews, and Muslims to study each other’s sacred texts. SR participants meet monthly to read short passages from their respective scriptures on a topic. Facilitated by a study leader, each session is an opportunity to listen and share various perspectives. SR sessions help participants reflect on a curious list of topics within the Abrahamic tradition. The result is often a deeper understanding of others and one’s scriptures and the development of strong bonds across faith communities.

                  Scriptural Reasoning: Introduction                      Islamic Scripture: Quran

               Christian Scripture: New Testament               Jewish Scripture: Hebrew Bible

 This Month`s Study Leader

Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass has served as Hazzan at Congregation Har Shalom since 1996. He was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At his Bar Mitzvah service, his Rabbi invited him to lead High Holy Days services the following year, which he continued to do through his graduation from college. After completing a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Hazzan Ozur Bass worked for two years as an engineer for IBM and Petrobras. In 1989, he left his native Brazil to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a Hazzan, enrolling in the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary(NY).

As part of his six years of training, he spent a year in Israel at the Masorti Rabbinical School in Jerusalem. Hazzan Ozur Bass also led services in congregations throughout Israel, Brazil, and the United States. During the course of his studies, he received many awards for his musical and cantorial abilities and graduated in 1995. Hazzan Ozur Bass is grateful to Har Shalom for encouraging him to participate in professional growth and community involvement throughout his tenure. He has served on the Cantors Assembly Executive Board, graduated from the Institute of Jewish Spirituality, and is currently studying Clinical Pastoral Education.