Jewish-Muslim Engagement Groups
An alphabetical annotated listing of Jewish and Muslim Groups
*If your group/congregation/organization would like to be listed please contact, cmje@usc.edu.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Disclaimer of Endorsement
The information posted on the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement website includes links to information created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. CMJE provides these links and pointers solely for our users' information and convenience. CMJE does not endorse the organizations’ linked websites and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. CMJE is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites.
Abraham's Bridge
Co-Directors Jacob Bender and Saeed Khan - abrahamsbridge@aol.com - 917.660.3805
Abraham’s Bridge is a dialogue about Jewish-Muslim relations, both historical and contemporary, that aims to bridge the antagonism dividing the two communities. Led by Jewish and Muslim community activists and educators, Jacob Bender and Saeed Khan, Abraham’s Bridge is available for university and college campuses, mosques, synagogues, and churches. Their website is currently being renovated, but you may still contact the co-directors via email.
Abraham's Vision - Unity Program
Co-Director Aaron Hahn Tapper, aaron@abrahamsvision.org - Co-Director Huda Abu Arqoub, huda@abrahamsvision.org
The Unity Program is a course designed to educate high school students about Muslims, Jews, Islam, and Judaism while strengthening the relationships students have to their own communities and religious traditions. We examine issues within North American Jewish and Muslim communities, the historical relationship between Muslims and Jews, and the relationship between Judaism and Islam. Each of these components deepens students' understandings of their individual and group identities in the contemporary world as well as the textual, ideological, and historical relationship between and within each community.
Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims of the Canadian Jewish Congress
Shahid Akhtar and Jack Stevens - Founders - mprutschi@ujafed.org
This organization is responsible for improving relations between Jews and Muslims in Toronto. In this aim, the organization establishes mutual trust and a comfort level and learning about each other.
Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations(CMJR)
cmjrenquiries@woolfinstitute.cam.ac.uk - (44) (1223) 742 406
CMJR was established in 2006 as a sister centre to the Centre for the Study of Jewish - Christian Relations (established 1998). CMJR and CJCR together constitute the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths. CMJR aims to promote mutual respect and understanding and to combat prejudice and ignorance through teaching, research, and dialogue in the encounter between Islam and Judaism. CMJR is pleased to work with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education whose Certificate programme in Islam, Judaism and Muslim– Jewish Relations is taught for the first time at the CMJR, and to offer its own pioneering e–learning course in Muslim–Jewish Relations. For more information about CMJR’s courses, publications and dialogue programmes, please see www.woolfinstitute.cam.ac.uk/cmjr
Children of Abraham
Gul Rukh Rahman and Ari Alexander – Co-Executive Directors - gul@childrenofabraham.org -
arialexander@childrenofabraham.org
This organization recruits Jewish and Muslim teens from around the world to engage in an unusual personal dialogue through the exchange of pictures of their families and lives. This organization’s aim is to create a worldwide network of Jewish and Muslim teens committed to understanding, communication, and positive relationship.
Children of Abraham: Muslims and Jews in Conversation
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) – Interfaith Office – (202) 544 – 5656
In conjunction with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Islamic Society of North America has helped in creating a dialogue guide for mosques and synagogues to facilitate understanding between the two faith groups. This initiative hopes to provide a vital link between the two religions. The dialogue guide will be implemented communities where there is both a mosque and synagogue interested in participating. If your mosque is interested in participating please contact the ISNA Interfaith office at 202-544-5656.
Children of Abraham (Emory University)
Contact people: David Micley (dmicley@emory.edu) and Mukhtar Voss (mjvoss@emory.edu)
The Children of Abraham (COA) is a joint project sponsored by Hillel and the Muslim Student Assocation on campus aimed at bringing together the Muslim and Jewish communities of Emory. We share in each other's cultural and religious events as well as engage in discussions relevant to both of our faiths. Muslims and Jews have much in common, and the idea behind COA is to explore these similarities while having a respect and curiosity for our differences. Furthermore, COA aims to initiate social action and awareness programs, as both the Jewish and Muslim religions promote the idea that it is our responsibility to do what we can to make the world a better place.
The Coexistence Trust
Samuel Klein - Executive Director - enquiries@coexistencetrust.org.uk - +44 (0)207 976 8443
London, England
Founded in 2005, the purpose of the Coexistence Trust - comprised of Muslim and Jewish Peers and MP's - is to promote and further dialogue, co-operation and good relations between Muslim and Jewish communities internationally.
Commission on Jewish/Muslim Understanding
Contact jgoldman@jewishrochester.org.
The Commission on Jewish Muslim Understanding of the Jewish Community Federation and the Islamic Center of Rochester sponsors periodic discussions, free and open to the community. The Jewish-Muslim Commission, currently co-chaired by Muhammad Zafar and Neil Jaschik, encourages increased understanding and dialogue among its members to address educational, social, moral and religious issues in the Rochester area. It does this by fostering interaction between the two communities; defending the civil and human rights of Jews and Muslims through advocacy, education, dialogue and public relations; addressing the media on its role in presenting accurate and fair reporting on issues of concern; and creating educational opportunities and programs such as the series, Judaism and Islam 101.
Daniel Pearl Foundation Dialogue for Muslim-Jewish Understanding
16161 Ventura Blvd, #671 Encino CA USA 91436 (818) 789-0108 paul@danielpearl.org
Professors Akbar Ahmed and Judea Pearl have been invited to share their dialogue in many stages in the U.S. and abroad. The conversations, which are never the same, cover issues from theology, history and ideology to politics and current news, and encourage audience participation. Two principles guide the conversation; first, no Issue is taboo and, second, respect at all times. Professors Ahmed and Pearl believe that these open and honest dialogues are essential for the future of humanity.
European Platform for Jewish Muslim Co-operation
319 Avenue Brugmann, B-1180 Brussels – Belgium
Co-ordinator Ruth Friedman - ruth.friedman@ceji.org - +32 (0)2 344 34 44
The European Platform for Jewish Muslim Co-operation is a network of independent grass-roots organisations working in the field of Jewish Muslim dialogue and co-operation. The Platform: Facilitates co-operation, dialogue and partnership between Jewish and Muslim communities at local, national and trans-national levels within Europe; Increases the visibility of and empowers existing Jewish Muslim initiatives; Initiates and promotes new opportunities for dialogue and co-operation between Jewish and Muslim communities.
The Platform is open to new members and countries within Europe , and is guided by a joint Jewish Muslim Steering Group. The Platform has been launched and is facilitated by CEJI - A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe.
Finding Our Common Humanity
Roger Eaton - dialogue coordinator - rogereaton@earthlink.net - 310 390 5220
This organization is aimed at offering group dialogs on its website as a free public service for selected humanitarian dialogs and to provide a paid subscription service for government and business entities.
Forum for the Comparative Study of Jews and Muslims in Britain, Europe, and North American
Professor Humayun Ansari - k.ansari@rhul.ac.uk
The Forum for the Comparative Study of Jews and Muslims facilitates improved understanding about the experiences of Muslims and Jews living as members of minority faith groups in western societies, often as part of migrant or diasporic communities. The main objective of this initiative is to achieve a better understanding of contemporary Muslim-Jewish relations, and create a solid basis or framework of interaction on which future dialogue can take place. Activities in the programme to date have included a series of academic seminars in 2005/06, an international academic workshop and a practitioner workshop in 2006. Findings from the aforementioned programs can be found on the link above.
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Jewish-Muslim Community-Building Initiative
Guy Austrian - guy@jcua.org - jcuamail@jcua.org - 312-663-0960
This organization is responsible for bringing Jews into coalition with Muslim community organizations around local issues.
The Joseph Interfaith Foundation (London)
Mehri Niknam - Executive Director - info@josephinterfaithfoundation.org
This is an officially registered joint Muslim-Jewish organization which is committed to fostering engagement through a constructive and realistic dialogue between the Muslim and Jewish communities in Britain and abroad.
Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society of Washington info@jids.org
Beginning in February of 2009, JIDS has been conducting monthly dialogues that bring together dozens of Jews and Muslims for friendly, yet frank, encounters. They encourage participants to speak their minds, but to do so respectfully. Their members come from different mosques and synagogues and represent different denominations within these faiths including men and women, members of clergy and laypeople. It is the hope of the founders of JIDS that their dialogues will soon cease to concentrate exclusively on enlightening each group about the other, and evolve to the point where they can work together on projects to uplift their communities, their nation and their world. Whether this goes by the name of the Hebrew "tikkun-olam" or the Arabic "islah," they care as deeply about repairing the world at large as they do about eliminating ignorance within our own communities. See article in local newspaper: Jewish-Islamic society brings members together to discuss common threads
Jewish Muslim Dialogue & Co-operation Initiative
CEJI - A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe
319 Avenue Brugmann, B-1180 Brussels – Belgium
Dialogue Co-ordinator Ruth Friedman - ruth.friedman@ceji.org – +32 (0)2 344 34 44
Since 2005 CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe - has been working to foster and promote dialogue and understanding between Jewish and Muslim communities. In addition to coordinating and supporting local initiatives in Europe, CEJI delivers Religious Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Trainings for adults and adult educators. Specialised modules have been developed to address and combat antisemitism and islamophobia side by side. These modules aim to increase awareness of the issues facing Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe and seek also to address prejudices and stereotypes that may be held by one community against the other. Further information is available on the website www.ceji.org
Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Group of Los Angeles California
info@jewishmuslimdialogue.org
This dialogue group meets on the second Sunday of each month in the Los Angeles area. This group is dedicated to the Compassionate Listening method and focuses on dialogue through listening, learning to sit down with the ‘other’ in peace while finding the humanity in their stories. Their most important rule is: Whether someone is telling their story or we’re chatting afterwards, we listen to each other, with our hearts as well as our ears.
The Jewish Muslim Directory
http://www.jewishmuslimdirectory.org
A web-based directory of organizations and programming related to Jewish-Muslim dialogue in the United States
MuJew Alternative Spring Break Group of the University of Michigan
alkhersf@umich.edu (Farah al-Khersan) and Jenna Weinberg (jrweinb@umich.edu)
MuJew ASB group promotes dialogue and interfaith learning within the context of its broader service mission.
MuJew Year-round Grou of the University of Michigan
Molly Mardit mardit@umich.edu, Husnah Khan husnahk@umich.edu, Jenna Weinberg: jrweinb@umich.edu
The year-round group focuses on social events, learning and dialogue, and service.
The Magical MUJU Crew: Celebrating Muslim/Jewish Artistic Collaboration
London, United Kingdom
The Magical MUJU Crew is a creative collective dedicated to encouraging artistic collaboration between Muslims and Jews. Their mission is to prove that, contrary to what the media would have us believe, when Muslims and Jews are thrown together they can be creative and NOT destructive.
Muslim-Arab-Jewish Dialogue Committee at the University of Toronto
Safiyyah Ally and James Sevitt – founders - 416-801-4312/416-782-1938 - safiyyah.ally@utoronto.ca, jsevitt@hotmail.com
This organization is responsible for bringing together students to promote peace among Arabs, Muslims and Jews.
Muslim Jewish Dialogue of Greater Washington
Rabbi Sarah Meytin - Assistant Director, JCRC of Greater Washington -
smeytin@jcouncil.org - 301-770-0881
This organization is responsible for engaging in an ongoing dialogue with the Muslim community of Montgomery County.
Muslim-Jewish Dialogue, Princeton University
Isha Saafir - msa@princeton.edu
This organization is responsible for creating a dialogue group between Jews and Muslims students at Princeton University.
Muslim Jewish Forum (based at North London Muslim Community Centre)
Imam Ismael Amaan and Rabbi Hershel Gluck – founders - ismail@nlmcc.org.uk
This organization is responsible for fostering dialogue between Jews and Muslims in Britain. The organization emphasizes on the similarities and the common ground shared by the two faiths despite the difficult international situation.
Muslim-Jewish Initiative of Johns Hopkins University
Zach Epstein-Peterson (zepstei1@jhu.edu) and Heba Mustufa (pres.jhuma@gmail.com)
The MJ ("Muslim-Jewish") Initiative it the driver for all work between Muslims and Jews on campus. The committee is primarily composed of engaged students from both the Muslim Students Association and the Jewish Student Association (JSA).
Muslim Jewish Peace Walk for Interfaith Solidarity
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb rabbilynn@earthlink.net
The Jewish-Muslim PeaceWalk initiates rituals of pilgrimage that gather together the children of Abraham and a broad spectrum of interfaith communities to give witness to our shared belief that peace is possible. We embark on a several mile pilgrimage from mosque to church to synagogue (or the other way around) and welcome each other into our houses of prayer in order to honor each other and pray for peace. Traversing the distance between our community institutions on foot helps us realize that the distance between us is not as great as we might have believed.
NewGround LA: a Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change
For more information, contact NewGround Co-Directors Aziza Hasan at aziza@mpac.org and 213-383-3443 or Malka Fenyvesi at mfenyvesi@pjalliance.org and (323) 761-8350.
NewGround, a joint partnership of MPAC and the Progressive Jewish Alliance, is an innovative long-term program geared towards building meaningful relationships and fostering a strong sense of civic engagement amongst diverse groups of Muslims and Jews. The program engages participants in a multi-stage process of education, reflection, skills-building, and community organizing.
Poetry Pals
215-317-0027 - poetrypals@sbcglobal.net
Poetry Pals creates opportunities for partnership, expression, and friendship through poetry and art. Poetry Pals brings children from diverse backgrounds together to share their stories through poetry and art. Poet-educators teach children how to write poetry, and, using these new skills, the participants explore many topics: personal experiences, relationships, culture and identity. The children share their poetry and art, gain an appreciation for one another, and strengthen their own pride and self-esteem. They also learn to express themselves and listen with respect to others.
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
staff@pluralism.org
The mission of the Pluralism Project is to help Americans engage with the realities of religious diversity through research, outreach, and the active dissemination of resources.
Psychosemetic
London, UK - psychosemitic@gmail.com
Psychosemitic is a not-for-profit event production, education and multimedia agency. We exist to bring people together through music, interactive art and creative workshops. Psychosemitic promotes innovative music and art influenced by the Jewish, Muslim and Middle Eastern traditions. We put on events designed to showcase a roster of artists / musicians and to bring people from different cultures. We also run workshops in schools, youthclubs, community centres, which give young people new ways to express themselves. Psychosemitic is supported by the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund of the Community Development Foundation.
Radio Salaam Shalom
info@salaamshalom.org.uk – 404 Stapleton Rd, Bristol, UK
Salaam Shalom is an exciting new online radio project to help encourage dialogue and understanding between the Muslim and Jewish communities in Bristol and beyond. Salaam Shalom Radio is the voice of the “moderate majority” where people from both communities will have the chance to celebrate, debate and share the events, issues and faith that shape their daily lives.
SULTANA MUSIC
Yoel Ben-Simhon – founder - yoel@sultanamusic.com - 917-952-2544
This organization is responsible for preserving and promoting Judeo-Arab and Middle Eastern music, and creating a dialogue between Eastern and Western music traditions as well.
West Los Angeles Cousins Club (WLA Cousins)
Jean Katz - jeankatz@earthlink.net – Jahan Stanizai - Jahanstan@aol.com
The WLA Cousins Club is an informal group of Jewish and Muslim women who have been meeting for five years to build friendships with one another, learn about each others' religion and culture, and support one another at times of anti-Jewish and/or anti-Muslim episodes in the US and globally. Their members are active in other interfaith groups and their own synagogues, mosques, and religious meeting group, but the group is not formally affiliated with other institutions as a group.
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