Paul Franklin, a TRIMEDX supervisor in Indianapolis, used his Uniquely You Day to spend Yom Kippur in Jerusalem and experience different cultures and religions firsthand. Uniquely You Day is a paid day off for each eligible associate to expand their knowledge, enrich their beliefs, or deepen their understanding of a particular observance, topic, or ally/advocacy effort in a way meaningful to them.
In this essay, Franklin shares his Uniquely You Day experience.
I have been at Riley Hospital for Children for almost 23 years and am now the supervisor. I started in 2001 as a temp employee and was hired full-time in 2004. I've been at the same location for so long because I wanted to use my skills as a technician and help children.
I was a heavy engine mechanic for a while, working on cars, big trucks, earthmovers, big diesel engines, things like that. But in 1995, I lost my son when he died during birth. It changes your life, and I wanted to do something and help other people that would be going through a similar tragedy. It’s why I chose to work at Riley and why I choose to stay there. It's part of the healing process for me, knowing I try to make myself available for whatever support I can offer. It instills a purpose for what you're doing besides the paycheck, making sure the devices that leave your hands are ready to help anybody's baby.
The same values that guide me at work guide my personal life. I was brought up in a Christian household and have been interested in theology from an early age. That’s why I intentionally spent my Uniquely You day in Jerusalem on Yom Kippur, which is the holiest day in Judaism. I'm not of Jewish faith, but I know the importance of that day, and I wanted to experience it. I was there with my wife for our 14th wedding anniversary, and it was really an incredible experience because Israel is the only country that completely shuts down on that day. There's no driving on the streets, there’s no television broadcast, no radio, nothing. Yom Kippur is the ‘day of atonement’, and its purpose is to focus, take stock on yourself, and atone.
My Uniquely You Day experience began in Hebron, and I was given the opportunity to visit the Muslim Mosque at the Tomb of the Patriarchs. I was able to witness what prayer was like for Muslims in the West Bank. We were invited to pray in the mosque as well. We then went to Jerusalem and walked to the Western Wall as Yom Kippur began. I felt like I was there with all my Jewish brothers and sisters, even though I'm not Jewish, sharing in this experience with them at the same time. I felt honored they allowed me to be part of their biggest day and allowed me to pray alongside them. It was peaceful while we were there. A special calm was in the air. Everybody was focused on one thing. Even the people who aren’t Jewish honored and respected all the traditions.
Looking into the history of different faiths has taught me they aren’t all that different from each other. To learn the root or beginning of a matter, you can discover the truth behind it. Once you understand the background, you can understand some of the arguments and try to find reconciliation. Often, when you're able to talk, you come to find out we're all related, sort of cousins of the same faith. Maybe that could help all of us ease some of the conflict and tension.