Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes – Joshua Polanski
Every month, we honor an individual (or group) who inspires the bridge-building efforts of the Miller Center. Each honoree uniquely embodies the values of compassion, justice, and inclusivity. Our November nomination is our dear friend and colleague Joshua Polanksi, former Marketing Communications Specialist at the Miller Center and Hebrew College. Josh has recently ended his tenure of two years with us to begin a new adventure with a wonderful partner organization, Interfaith Photovoice.
I first met Josh when he was in his final year of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH). From the very beginning, I was impressed with Josh’s “hustle.”
When Josh sent me an email out of the blue, requesting that we meet to discuss the possibility of his working with the Miller Center as a contextual education student, I could tell immediately he was someone we wanted on our team.
And from the moment he came on board, he made himself indispensable–first to the Miller Center and then shortly thereafter to the whole of Hebrew College. Josh has made a tremendous impact on our ability to do the interreligious work at the core of our mission. His genuine curiosity about those who are different from him, his willingness to take risks and leap into the unknown, and the compassion he brings to all of his interactions, are essential characteristics of an interreligious leader.
That is why Josh is our November Beacon of Hope. It is also the reason we are so sad to see Josh go, however we know he will continue to make meaningful contributions to the field in the next leg of his journey. As Josh recently told our team, his interreligious work has shifted from an interest to a focal point of his own vocation, which he will now carry on in his new position at Interfaith Photovoice.
Thank you, Josh, for all that you have done for the Miller Center and Hebrew College.
Best wishes on this exciting path ahead of you.
The Rev. Tom Reid is the Director of the BILI Launchpad Fellowship & Pastor of Newton Presbyterian Church.