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Friday December 1, 2000

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Standing for understanding

Headline Photo

By Emily Severson

Arizona Daily Wildcat

All-faith ceremony unites religion with support for AIDS and HIV patients

World AIDS Day began at sundown yesterday for those of the Jewish faith with an all-faiths ceremony held at Temple Emanu-El to remember those who have died of AIDS and pray for those living with it.

The service featured music and the traditional practices of Judaism as well as readings from Christian and Buddhist speakers. The purpose of the ceremony was to bring together people of many faiths who have been affected in some way by HIV and AIDS. About 80 people attended and it was sponsored by the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network.

Johanna Schmidtke, a UA math and biochemistry senior, said that she began volunteering for AIDS organizations when the director of TIHAN spoke at the Campus Christian Center.

"We have had more students volunteer with us because we have increased our outreach to them by getting involved with a community service listserve," said Scott Blades, the executive director of TIHAN. "I also think that more people are impacted by AIDS and HIV today than in the past."

Evangelina Arvizu was infected with HIV when she was 17 years old by her husband who died this year of AIDS.

Since her husband's death she has spent time as a AIDS awareness public speaker for various Tucson organizations including the UA College of Nursing, but she is concerned with educating young people about the disease because she has two young daughters.

"I think it is so vital for them to know, I was a teenager once and kids are having sex at very young ages," Arvizu said.

She said that it was very important for college students to be careful and use protection.

"A lot of people are infected and it is impossible to tell," she said.

The ceremony began with the lighting of the menorah by the members of six different Tucson religious congregations. For each candle lit, prayers were said to prevent racism, sexism, homophobia and substance abusers.

During the ceremony, Rabbi Samuel Cohon invited audience members to recite the names of those infected with HIV or AIDS that they knew. He told the audience that even though there is no cure for AIDS, it is important to bring healing in small practical ways.

Stan Maliszewski, UA graduate assistant professor in educational psychology, said that he came to the ceremony because he believes in prayer as a healing step to help those infected with the virus. As a result he has integrated AIDS education into his classes.

"I plan to heighten awareness on the subject of AIDS so that people can learn what safe behavior is and can feel secure," Maliszewski said.

Schmidtke said she thought everyone in attendance at the ceremony was there because they were personally committed to HIV and AIDS spiritual education.

This ceremony was the seventh annual ceremony and was the first to be held at a Jewish synagogue.

"I received services when my husband was dying," Arvizu said. "Two women (volunteers) came to my house and took my girls' places. It made a big difference."

TIHAN is one of about 10 sponsors of World AIDS Day events being held at the International Art Center today. They also sponsor social gatherings and organize care partners that spend time with HIV patients and help them with their daily needs, Blades said.