In the summer of 2006, war was raging in the Middle East, and here in Boston, a local battle was taking place in the courts and media between factions of the Jewish and Muslim communities regarding the construction of a new mosque in Roxbury. Islamaphobia, anti-Semitism, and fear ran rampant. When a group of young professionals sought to help facilitate a peaceful reconciliation, we saw that our communities were segregated. We did not know folks on the “other side.” And so, we gathered together to get to know one another.
Over the past two years we have continued to collaborate on religious, social, and community service programs, working to maintain the connection and build authentic relationships. Past events have included a Jewish/Muslim Iftar Break-Fast, joint Shabbat services and dinner, a three-part Jewish/Muslim text study with the Muslim Chaplain at Harvard, Taha Abdul-Basser, and Professor Jonah Steinberg of Hebrew College, and most recently, a knitting circle meeting weekly at the ISBCC.
Interested in learning more? Email msternthal@gmail.com.