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The Foundation is a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening relations between ethnic communities. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face dialogue between ethnic communities is the most effective path towards the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding. |
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Jewish and Muslim students held an unusual meeting of the minds October 22, at New York University's Helen and Martin Kimmel Center. The panel candidly discussed building Muslim-Jewish relations and focused on the challenges and complexities of the issues at hand including the fight against anti-Semitism and Islamaphobia. The panel, moderated by Joel Cohen of Stroock & Strook & Lavan LLP, consisted of Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of The Foundation, Imam Shamsi Ali, Spiritual Leader at the Islamic Center of New York, and NYU clergy Rabbi Yehuda Sarna and Imam Khalid Latif. Russell Simmons, Chairman of The Foundation, delivered opening remarks stating, "We need to always keep in mind to notice our differences, but more importantly notice our commonalities. I pray that you, our next generation of leaders, always remember that if we don't work together we can't move ahead". Cohen, a former federal prosecutor and author of several books on religion, began the discussion with a series of yes-or-no questions directed at the panelists. When asked if Muslims and Jews worship the same god using different names, all four panelists agreed that they do. It was evident to both the panelists and the audience that though similarities are important, providing a spring board to further the discussion, part of the dialogue process must be to also discuss the differences in opinion and practice while respecting each other's view. "If the starting point for conversations between Jews and Muslims is the politics in the Middle East, then I think they're doomed from the start," Rabbi Sarna said. "I think politics can only be discussed in the context of friendship." |
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Copyright © 2007 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding. 1 East 93rd Street, Suite #1C New York, New York, 10128 ffeu@ffeu.org (Tel) 917-492-2538, (Fax) 917-492-2560 Click here to view our Privacy Policy Website designed and maintained by Webs on Webster |
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