Last night, our Reconstructionist Jewish Congregation partnered with a local Islamic mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. Our Jewish youth group and their parents joined children and parents from the mosque to find ways to build bridges and connections.
This initiative started not long after October 7, where our friends at the mosque and local neighbors asked to join us at our synagogue for a Friday night service. It was lovely and uplifting and hopeful. And so, the question was asked, “What next?” What was next was last night’s interfaith dinner at the mosque. With table talk discussions about similarities and differences, but SO MANY SIMILARITIES between the faiths. We talked before breaking the Ramadan fast together. We celebrated, shared and learned. We built bridges. Our children saw their parents doing the same. We said prayers in both Hebrew and Arabic. We sang songs that share Hebrew and Arabic phrases and sentiments. We brought canned goods to donate to the food pantry (a practice that Jews often do on Yom Kippur, our day of fasting).
And while, I have to be honest, that another evening event on my calendar wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do last night, I would have been sorry to miss this event. It was very empowering and inspiring. We left the evening asking, “What next?” And together came up with some ideas for service opportunities for the communities to engage in together. Building bridges together around faith and commitment. This gives me hope.
schoolinspirations 
Ramona said,
March 14, 2024 at 5:19 pm
A wonderful post about an enriching experience for all. I love that you add the What next? after each event. It’s the key to ongoing dialogue and building bridges.
So happy when I clicked on your post to recognize your blog I don’t always remember names, but blogs remind me of connections through the years.
jodimahoney said,
March 14, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Awww…thank you! I’m glad you found me again! Thank you for reading.
lvahey said,
March 15, 2024 at 1:08 am
It sounds like you’re in a wonderful faith community. Building bridges feels like such important work – so glad you rallied to learn and make these connections.
carolannclark said,
March 15, 2024 at 1:50 am
This gives me hope too and Iove your honesty about having another event on you calendar. You could have left that part out but it helps show how important it was to share faiths with each other.