Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Why in fact, yes — we can.
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending an interfaith fast breaking for Tzom Gedaliah and Ramadan, with both Israelis and Palestinians, at Eliyahu Maclean’s in Jerusalem. Eliyahu is an interfaith activist and a co-founder of the Sulha Peace Project, which inspired the name for our Hip Hop Sulha event earlier this month in NYC.
It was a unique event, first in that it marked an unusual instance in which a Jewish and Muslim fast fell upon the same day, and secondly, because it was a wonderful opportunity for we of divergent ethnicities and faiths to come together and share our cultures, stories, laughter, and above all else, a meal! We sang songs, showered blessings upon one another, and glommed the tastiest vegetarian vittles this side of the Mediterranean. And it was — gasp! — Jews and Muslims — and gasp! — Israelis and Palestinians — gasp! — together! In peace! Indeed, the evening served as a shining example of that which is possible when we transcend our political differences and simply recognize the humanity and the G-dliness inherent in our fellow, and love them as ourselves.
“Celebrities” in attendance included Shmuel Nelson of the ever-rockin’ Eden MiQedem; Ari Brochin, founder and former director of the Union of Progressive Zionists; Jacob and Chaviva “Deitybox” Komisar of Jewschool and Radical Torah; Micah Odenheimer, journalist and contributor to Guilt & Pleasure; and CK & Laya of Jewlicious.
My man Rav Dzik! A great person and great friend. Easy fast Avi. J.Lo
—kishkeman · September 28th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
R. Avi, My wife made me write again to tell you she also thought this was cool. She is great. She put up the Sukkah herself. I am very lucky. I joined PZ hopefully I will be there for Kol Nidre. Again all the best. J.Lo
—kishkeman · September 28th, 2006 at 10:07 pm
Were there any Arab/Muslim comments on blogs about this event, or only Jews excited by the moment? It seems that Jews are always first in line for interfaith events, and it’s much more of an anomaly for Arab Muslims to care about these issues. That’s just my impression…
—Zachary Thacher · September 28th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
[...] Wie würde Franz Beckenbauer sagen? „So hat sich der lieber G-tt die Welt vorgestellt�. Jewschool berichtet über ein gemeinsames Fastenbrechen von Juden und Muslimen (Ramadan und Tzom Gedalja - zum Zusammenfallen von Rosch haSchanah und Ramadan hier: „Schanah Tovah und Ramadan Mubarak�), das Mut macht und ein gutes Beispiel ist: It was a unique event, first in that it marked an unusual instance in which a Jewish and Muslim fast fell upon the same day, and secondly, because it was a wonderful opportunity for we of divergent ethnicities and faiths to come together and share our cultures, stories, laughter, and above all else, a meal! We sang songs, showered blessings upon one another, and glommed the tastiest vegetarian vittles this side of the Mediterranean. And it was  gasp!  Jews and Muslims  and gasp!  Israelis and Palestinians  gasp!  together! In peace! Indeed, the evening served as a shining example of that which is possible when we transcend our political differences and simply recognize the humanity and the G-dliness inherent in our fellow, and love them as ourselves. hier weiterlesen [...]
—Chajms Sicht » So ist das gedacht… · September 29th, 2006 at 2:27 am
uh… i don’t think any of the palestinians who attended were bloggers. and uh… i love how you saw this as an opportunity to seek out the negative.
—Mobius · September 29th, 2006 at 4:01 am
Thanks for this story! I hear so many heart-wrenching stories from your neck of the woods that it’s good to hear one that acts as balm.
—Rachel · September 29th, 2006 at 9:56 am
I find it interesting how hard it was for Rabbi Waskow and the Shalom Center to get support for his initiative ‘God’s October Surprise’ which promoted joint celebrations of Jewish, Muslim and Christian holidays over the three years where there is a lot of coinciding. (this is the second year.)
And why is that so much of what is interesting in Jerusalem takes place in what looks like a bubble of Jewish Americans who are always coming or going? Does any of this actually include real live grew up in Israel Israelis?
Good event though. Rock on.
—Abu-Esther · September 29th, 2006 at 11:12 am
ASHAMNU:
http://www.yousendit.com/download/mpajOzM%2BYZc%3D
—xisntox · September 29th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
There is a significant amoutn of good work going on with grew up in Israel Israelis, but there are two reasons you won’t hear about it. Num 1 - They aren’t hte ones writing in the American media that you are reading. Num 2 - Much of what they do is on a real day to day basis. Whether that means visiting with friends in East Jerusalem or in Ramallah, working and learning with muslim counterparts, and in genenral living a normal neighborly life. Hardly the stuff that makes the press, it is the stuff that makes peace.
—Josh Frankel · October 1st, 2006 at 9:43 am