This is Professor Daniel Rossing, Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations. He formerly was Head of the Christian Communities Desk at the Jerusalem Foundation, and Director of the Department for Christian Communities in the Israeli Ministry of Religion. He is a visiting college professor at several universities and an author of numerous books and articles.
He also is responsible for changing lightbulbs.
He gave a presentation to us one evening a few weeks ago, and among many topics he touched on, he shared an insight into operations at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Every now and then, a lightbulb goes out in some of the common areas of the church. Due to the aforementioned disputes, there is often no agreement as to who should change the bulb.
Dr. Rossing will get a call periodically from one of the Archbishops responsible for the church, and be asked to go to the church and check on the lightbulb, as he is seen as a neutral and trusted individual. He will have to call up the Muslim gentlemen who keep the key and go to the church late at night, enter, and change the bulb. When he goes back home, he must always call whoever reported it and say that he was never able to find a broken bulb, and that it was actually quite an inconvenience. Each time, the Archbishop that called in the problem apologies effusively, regretting that he has called Daniel away in the middle of the night.
This way, by playing a little game, no one has to be seen as directing repairs or taking credit for handling something of minor – but still perceived -- importance.
He also is responsible for changing lightbulbs.
He gave a presentation to us one evening a few weeks ago, and among many topics he touched on, he shared an insight into operations at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Every now and then, a lightbulb goes out in some of the common areas of the church. Due to the aforementioned disputes, there is often no agreement as to who should change the bulb.
Dr. Rossing will get a call periodically from one of the Archbishops responsible for the church, and be asked to go to the church and check on the lightbulb, as he is seen as a neutral and trusted individual. He will have to call up the Muslim gentlemen who keep the key and go to the church late at night, enter, and change the bulb. When he goes back home, he must always call whoever reported it and say that he was never able to find a broken bulb, and that it was actually quite an inconvenience. Each time, the Archbishop that called in the problem apologies effusively, regretting that he has called Daniel away in the middle of the night.
This way, by playing a little game, no one has to be seen as directing repairs or taking credit for handling something of minor – but still perceived -- importance.
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