On Kol Nidre 5769 I discussed one of the more positive and hopeful religious trends in recent years. Here’s an excerpt:
Yes, as the saying goes, 9/11 did “change everything” – but not necessarily in the way we might first have assumed. Yes, that tragic day did awaken the American public to the reality of Islamic [...]
Archive for the ‘Coexistence’ Category
The Reconciliation of Civilizations: A Sermon for Kol Nidre
Posted in Coexistence, High Holidays, Interfaith, Islam, Judaism, Religion, Sermons on October 10, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Shanah Tovah/Eid Mubarak
Posted in Coexistence, Interfaith, Islam, Judaism, Religion on September 29, 2008 | 1 Comment »
This year there’s a wonderful Jewish-Muslim harmonic convergence: Rosh Hashanah and Eid (the final fast of Ramadan) fall on the same day. Though I read this morning in the NY Times that it’s causing a “monotheistic traffic jam” on the streets of the Old City, I still choose take this dual observance as a sign [...]
My First Iftaar
Posted in Coexistence, Interfaith, Religion on September 15, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Last night I was honored to participate in my first Iftaar. (Am somewhat ashamed it has taken me this long…)
It took place at the home of Dr. Shakeela Hassan, one of my fellow board members on Hands of Peace (a wonderful local coexistence organization about which I’ve written before). After our meeting we were invited [...]
A Tale of Love and Hope
Posted in Books, Coexistence, Israel, Peace, Terrorism on September 8, 2008 | No Comments »
A hopeful gesture in response to tragedy: the family of an Arab man killed in a terror attack has made a contribution toward the Arabic translation of Amos Oz’s memoir, “A Tale of Love and Darkness” to further the cause of coexistence.
In 2004 George Khoury (right), an Israeli Arab student, was shot while running in [...]
Shanah Tovah From the Geneva Initiative
Posted in Coexistence, High Holidays, Israel, Palestine, Peace on September 2, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Today was Rosh Hodesh (the beginning of the month) of Elul: the month of soul introspection that precedes the Jewish New Year. Apropos of the season, I thought I’d share this remarkable new year’s greeting: a clip of the Palestinian partners of the Geneva Initiative wishing their Jewish friends a Shanah [...]
Your Safety is Continually in My Thoughts…
Posted in Children's Rights, Coexistence, Israel, Palestine, Tisha B'Av, War on August 22, 2008 | No Comments »
Last week I noted that we are currently in the midst of reading the seven Haftarot of Consolation that follow the Jewish communal mourning of the Tisha B’Av festival. Our prophetic portion this week comes from Isaiah 49:14-51:3 - a prophetic address that begins with these powerful words of comfort:
Can a mother forget her babe, [...]
Go Peace Team!
Posted in Coexistence, Israel, Palestine, Peace on August 18, 2008 | No Comments »
More great coexistence news from the sports world: according to a report in Ha’aretz, a “Peace Team ” made up of Israelis and Palestinians are slated to play in the upcoming Australian Football League International Cup. The effort was organized and funded by the Peres Center for Peace and the East Jerusalem-based Al-Quds Association for [...]
Peace Kawomera in Action
Posted in Africa, Coexistence, Fair Trade, Interfaith, JRC Africa Trip 2008, Peace, Poverty, Religion, Uganda on July 23, 2008 | 1 Comment »
We’ve learned a great deal about how coffee is grown and processed on this trip and one of the most indelible lessons we’ve taken away is how interconnected and interdependent each step is to the next. Unlike the major commercial producers, rural coffee farmers like those of the Peace Kawomera coop must depend upon one [...]
On Coffee and Coexistence
Posted in Africa, Coexistence, Environmentalism, Fair Trade, Global Activism, Interfaith, JRC Africa Trip 2008, Religion, Uganda on July 19, 2008 | 1 Comment »
That man in the picture above is JJ Keki - Ugandan farmer, musician, fair trade entrepreneur, local politician and interfaith activist (I’m sure I’m missing several more job descriptions…) JRC has gotten to know JJ well over the years through our our relationship to the Peace Kawomera interfaith fair trade coffee cooperative. JJ (a Ugandan [...]
Sulha Peace Project
Posted in Coexistence, Israel, Nonviolence, Orgs You Should Support, Palestine, Peace, Religion on July 3, 2008 | 1 Comment »
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time then you know I like to spotlight important and courageous coexistence efforts in Israel/Palestine. Here’s another I recommend adding to your list of orgs to support: the Sulha Peace Project.
Founded by an Israeli, Gabriel Meyer, and a Palestinian, Elias Jabbour, Sulha sponsors a variety of [...]
