The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can strain relationships between our Jewish and Muslim communities in the United States. Listen to an organization that tries to improve understanding and trust between these uneasy friends.
PEACE with Penny SEASON 3: PEACE with Penny shares Friendship Across Difference, A Conversation with Abdullah Antepli & Maital Friedman of Shalom Hartman Institute of North America
At PEACE with Penny, we attended a special event called Friendship Across Difference with Imam Abdullah Antepli and Maital Friedman of Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and we were granted permission to share it with you. Special thanks to Temple Beth El of South Orange County, The Jewish Federation of Orange County, The Rose Project of Orange County and the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. It was an opportunity to hear how the Muslim Leadership Initiative tries to build relationships of understanding, respect, and trust between North American Muslim and Jewish communities.
This is seeking Peace by identifying similarities and diversity between our two communities. Where is the pathway cleared for understanding, and where can some spring cleaning help?
Through a rigorous academic curriculum and exposure to diverse narratives, MLI seeks to expand participants’ critical understanding of the complex religious, political, and socioeconomic issues facing people in Israel and Palestine. The program invites North American Muslims to explore how Jews understand Judaism, Israel, and Jewish peoplehood.
When someone says they are Pro-Israel or Pro-Palestinian, what do they mean? Assuming you know is the first mistake. What is a Jew? Religion? Race? Ethnicity? Culture? What is a Palestinian? Within Israel? In the West Bank? In Gaza? It’s complicated, and these definitions are always influenced by our own perspectives.
The MLI project brings together Jews and Muslims to explain to one another where they are coming from as peoples. It was very encouraging to hear how Imam Antepli relished learning about the Jewish people from Jews themselves. It’s not a perspective we’re often privy to and I found it very refreshing and hopeful. It was also inspiring to hear of Maital’s interest in learning Arabic and about the Muslim culture, and her support in solidarity with the Muslim community during the Muslim travel ban.
As you can see from PEACE with Penny interviews, many people are working very hard to improve the lives of Jewish, Arab and Palestinian people in the Middle East, promoting cooperation, and PEACE with Penny strives to get the word out that there is hope for Peace in the region and between the religions. May You Live in Peace, שלום and سلام.
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