Today’s news is flooded with controversial and divisive topics, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas is no exception. As tensions rise and opinions radicalize, it is more important than ever to look for ways to bring people of different faiths together and foster mutual understanding.
With this in mind, many interfaith groups in the United States have stepped up efforts to strengthen their ties during this tumultuous time. Members of these groups, who have built lasting friendships over the years, have pledged to continue to grow closer despite differences of opinion on the ongoing conflict.
Groups such as the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, an interfaith organization founded by a Muslim woman and a Jewish woman in New Jersey, meet regularly to learn from each other, work on volunteer projects for Muslim and Jewish charities and plan trips around the world.
However, the recent conflict has created unusual tension within these groups. Members often feel divided between their personal beliefs and their connections to their interfaith friends.
For Lisa Kaplan-Miller, a member of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, it was essential not to let the conflict destroy their usually lively dynamic. She said: “We really had no choice if we wanted our group to continue to exist. Conversation – and perhaps confrontation – was inevitable.”
It is in these moments of the most intense tension that the strength of these interreligious groups is manifested. They are able to move beyond their disagreements and find common ground based on love and mutual respect.
Mohammed Alhomsi, Muslim president of the Interfaith Encounter Association group, describes their relationship as a marriage, where they are committed to staying together as human beings. Joan Goldstein, the Jewish president of the same group, sees the relationship as that of cousins who share a common history.
Despite tensions and differences of opinion, these interfaith groups found comfort in their friendship and mutual understanding. They continue to come together, whether virtually or in person, to share their opinions, their concerns and their pain.
At a time when hate crimes are increasing, these interfaith groups are determined to speak out against hatred and intolerance. Joan Goldstein recently spoke at a city council meeting in her city to denounce anti-Semitic crimes and Islamophobia. She stressed that people of faith, whatever their religions, deserve to be recognized and respected.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas may seem insurmountable, but these interfaith groups remind us that it is possible to find peace and mutual understanding, even in the most difficult times.
In these troubled times, it is crucial to continue building bridges between different religious communities in order to ease tensions and promote peaceful coexistence. Interfaith groups play a vital role in this effort by encouraging dialogue, compassion and mutual respect.
By working together, we can overcome divisions and build a better future, where religious diversity is celebrated and mutual understanding is the norm.