'Uncategorized'
Speech to FIANZ Islam Awareness Week launch
Dave Moskovitz, 10 August 2009
Distinguished Guests, Friends, Chevre, Brothers and Sisters – Salaam Aleikum, Shalom Aleikhem, Peace be with you, i te rangimarie ki a koutou.
Ko Hinai toku maunga, Ko Horano toku awa,
Ko Hurae toku Iwi, Ko Ahekenata toku Hapu,
I wehe oko tupuna I waihongia a Iharaira.
Ko Hara toku whaea, Ko Ihaka toku matua
Ko Rawiri, David, Daoud, Dave Moskovitz ahau;
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.
I am very honoured to be invited here today, and I find it humbling that a Jew should be invited to speak at the launch of Islam Awareness Week. This invitation speaks volumes about how far we’ve come in New Zealand, and reflects decades of hard yet delicate work by many individuals and groups who work quietly behind the scenes in order to increase interfaith understanding, cooperation, and friendship. It also reflects the growing goodwill between our communities here in Aotearoa.
I bring with me today the warm greetings of Temple Sinai expressed through our President Susan Gordon and our Rabbi Johanna Hershenson who sends her apologies today; of the Wellington Regional Jewish Council through our Chair David Zwartz; of the New Zealand Jewish Council through its President Stephen Goodman; and of the Wellington Council of Christians and Jews (of which I am Secretary) through our Co-Chair Jenny Chalmers. All of these organisations are keen to encourage positive relationships with Muslims and the Federation of Islamic Associations and its constituent organisations.
As Ahl al-Kitab, or people of the book, we share common prophets, history, narratives, and many core values. Many people believe that Allah and Elohim are one and the same God. There is much to be gained by learning more about each other and our religions, and working together to help bring about balance, justice, and peace. Those of us who are exploring and expanding our common ground find the work incredibly rewarding, and we extend our hands in welcome to others who are interested in learning more about each other, and through that process learning more about ourselves.
We have a multi-layered approach to Interfaith relations. Of course there are formal functions like this one where appointed community representatives meet. But in my experience much progress happens in a more informal setting. I’m fortunate enough to belong to a small group of about 12 people, Muslims, Christians and Jews, that gets together mostly regularly in each others’ houses for informal discussions on various topics. This year was a watershed for us in that after a couple of years of getting to know each other, and discussing topics like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, life cycle events, food, etc – we got together in February and talked about Gaza. We were understandably a bit nervous going into the discussion, and it was hard work. We didn’t expect to agree on everything (and these expectations were met) but we did come away with a greater appreciation of each others’ perspectives, and a much better understanding of why each person held their opinions. If anything, our friendships were strengthened by the discussion, in that we valued our friendships going into the discussion, and through sincerely and sensitively listening to each others motivations and guarded thoughts, we learned a lot about each other. I came away with strong feeling of optimism that if we could do this, it would be possible for others as well, and there is hope for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on interpersonal relationships. We created common ground over very difficult terrain, explored it together, and came out the other side that much closer as friends.
The theme for this year’s Islam Awareness Week is “Al Mizan – finding a balance in life”. And speaking of common ground, Mizan in Arabic – balance – is virtually identical in Hebrew – Maazan. The three letter root, aleph – zayin – nun, is related to the words for “ear” (ozen) and “listen” (lehaazin). You might say that our forbears knew that in order to achieve balance, one must listen. And listening to each other is at the core of interfaith work.
Achieving a balance in life can be difficult, especially in the world we live in where we must balance family and work, individual and community, religious and secular, traditional and modern, and the myriad of conflicting demands that we bring on ourselves through fully engaging with life. At the heart of each of these choices is the inherent tension between your perception of yourself and your needs on the one hand, and on the other hand your perception of the world and the needs of others.
There is a Hassidic teaching, according to Rabbi Bunim of Pshisha, that every person should walk through life with two notes, one in each pocket. On one note should be the words, Ani afar ve‘efer-I am nothing but dust and ashes. On the other note should be the words, Bishvili nivra ha’olam-The world was created for me.
The first phrase, I am nothing but dust and ashes, comes from Genesis 18:27, when Abraham bargains with God over Soddom and Gemorrah, and he strives to put his own existence into the context of the divine.
The second phrase, the world was created for me, comes from the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 37B, which says: For this reason, a single person was created, Adam; to teach you that anyone who kills a single person, is considered as if he has killed the entire world, and anyone who sustains a single person, is considered as if he has sustained the entire world… For this reason, every person must say, the world was created for me.
We are inherently worthless, when you consider that the chemicals that make us up as humans are very common and could be purchased from the chemist for a few dollars. And yet because we have our own individual identities, we are unique and unreproducible, and at our most valuable when we are working to sustain a single person or the entire world. Certainly, the world was created for each of us, so that we could go out and make a positive impact, and work together to make the world a better place.
And this is the balance we must strike on a daily basis. The art of living is knowing which note to read in each situation: I am nothing but dust and ashes, or The world was created for me. Don’t lose heart when you realise that the “dust and ashes” message is appropriate, in that this message unites all of us with each other and with the world around us. Neither should we feel hubris when the “world was created for me” message is appropriate, in that it is a call to action to work to sustain the entire world.
These two messages, while appearing to be at opposite ends of a spectrum, are really part of a continuum, and are useful tools in helping to create balance.
From our prayerbook, The Gates of Prayer, we say: The universe whispers that all things are intertwined. Yet at times we hear the loud cry of discord. To which voice shall we listen? Although we long for harmony, we cannot close our ears to the noise of war, the rasp of hate…
If there is goodness at the heart of life, then its power, like the power of evil, is real. Which shall prevail? Moment by moment, we choose between them. If we choose rightly, and often enough, the broken fragments of our world will be restored to wholeness.
For this we need strength and help. We turn in hope, therefore, to a Power beyond us. God has many names, but God is One. God creates, God sustains, God loves, God inspires us with the hope that we can make ourselves one as God is one.
-
So, in seeking this balance – Maazan – let us be active listeners – Maazinim, building strong relationships with each other moment by moment, and working together as individuals and communities to build peace based on understanding and cooperation so that we can contribute to and benefit from each other and New Zealand society as a whole.
Kia ora koutou, thank you, Shalom, wa Salaam aleikum.
August 10th, 2009
Stand-up comic Rabbi Bob Alper will headline at Ontario’s award-winning festival, Muslimfest 2009, in Mississauga, August 2nd.
Alper, who performs internationally with Muslim comedians in The Laugh in Peace Tour, has been doing stand-up for 23 years, following a successful career serving synagogues in Buffalo and Philadelphia.
“I was thrilled to receive the invitation to appear at Muslimfest,” says Alper. “During the past seven years I’ve seen repeatedly how shared laughter diffuses suspicion and builds bridges between formerly unconnected communities. This is a concept that the organizers of Muslimfest 2009 also value.”
“We try to work with Canada’s rich diversity to foster an understanding of each other’s culture and identity; having Rabbi Bob Alper perform will further develop this,” says Amer Meknas, director of Muslimfest 2009. The festival, now in its sixth year, aims to highlight Muslim arts and culture, celebrate diversity, and build lasting relationships with other groups – and has won multiple awards for its effective pioneer efforts.
What started as an experiment in 2002 now constitutes nearly half of the rabbi’s annual tour schedule. Alper and his first comedy partner, Ahmed Ahmed, performed at synagogues and a mosque, but their unique, clean comedy soon caught on at college campuses with Jewish and Muslim groups co-sponsoring. One year, Alper and Ahmed were invited to the University of Arkansas, home of the “razorbacks.” “Very cool,” Alper observed. “A Muslim and a Jew performing at a college whose mascot is a pig!”
When Ahmed’s career transitioned into movie roles, Alper was joined by Azhur Usman*, an attorney by training and founder of the “Allah Made Me Funny” group. Alper reflects how “traveling across North America and performing with Azhar is exciting and loads of fun, but it can also be daunting. People respond to Azhar with anger, fear, suspicion, and event hatred. Which is understandable. Because he is, of course . . . a lawyer.” Last year, CNN Headline News aired a profile of the duo.
Alper also performs occasionally with Mo Amer, another member of “Allah Made Me Funny.” Following a show at Congregation Kol Ami, a synagogue in White Plains, NY, Amer asked Alper what “kol ami” means. “It’s Hebrew for ‘voice of my people’” Alper explained. To which Amer responded, “Oh. Because in Arabic, it means ‘eat my uncle.’”
Muslimfest 2009 will take place at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, during the Civic Holiday Weekend, August 1st and 2nd, 2009.
*Azhar and Bob will tour Vermont August 8-10: one church, two synagogues, and a theatre.
Contact:
Rabbi Bob Alper — +1-802-362-4464 — www.bobalper.com
Mariam Munawar — +1-416-457-7421 — www.muslimfest.com
July 24th, 2009
For anyone who has the opportunity to study, let me rave on a bit about taking a university course taught by someone of another faith, especially a subject that impinges on inter-faith issues. For example, I’ve been doing a subject as part of my MA (on interfaith relations) that’s taught by an Orthodox Jewish lecturer. It’s on the subject of exegesis in Rabbinic Judaism and in the Early Church. The subject especially explores areas where the 2 are similar, e.g. the use of midrash in the church, how both faiths explain Genesis, the interplay and reaction to Hellenism etc. Verrrrry interesting! Class discussions allow some very inspiring times of discovering just how much we have in common. And the lecturer loves his topic and faith so its far from being a dry academic subject. (The subject is HYM5175 at Monash Uni, Melbourne, with Dr. Michael Fagenblat who I highly recommend).
In second semester i’m doing HYM5260: Medieval dialogues: Reason, mysticism and society, which has 2 lecturers, one of whom is Jewish. Should be great too! There’s also a related newly-formed Religion and Theology Study group that meets monthly with students from all 3 faiths. This group provides another great opportunity to discuss in a more academic environment some of the meaty issues that unite and divide us.
So check out your local University. its a great environment for serious inter-faith learning and relationship development!
PS: For anyone planning for 2011… HYM5175 Synopsis:
“Judaism and Christianity are both text-centred religions and, as such, the practice of interpretation invariably mediates the authority of the text. Interpretation is the way in which the authority of the text is extended and contested. This course examines the interpretive methods as well as the theological and ideological content of practices such as: Midrash, allegory, legal interpretation, mystical symbolism and multi-levelled approaches to the text. Focus will be given to the historical contexts in which such practices arose and to their socio-political investment, as well as to the differences and similarities of Jewish and Christian approaches.”
Fr. John D’Alton
May 17th, 2009
Chicago Public Radio recently ran an interview with Dr Yehuda Stolov, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Encounter Association in Israel and Palestine.
Based in Jerusalem, the IEA has 29 ongoing groups. Stolov says that they are not an interfaith organisation in the regular sense. For IEA, interfaith dialog is a tool that they use to build better relationships between people.
Stolov talks about how when the encounters began seven years ago at the height of the intifada, the Jews involved had never met had never met Muslims before, and vice versa – they only information they had about each other was via the media, whose chief message was that the other group only wanted to kill them. By the end of the encounter weekend, many strong friendships had been formed.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
March 19th, 2009
The UK’s out-there Radio Salaam Shalom (strapline: “Muslims and Jews Talking Together”) has just revamped its web site. Their main content is audio podcasts, which provide interesting perspectives on Jewish-Muslim relations. They’re avant guard, and not particularly shy.
Definitely worth a listen.
Dave
March 3rd, 2009
Some good news! Amid the bleak reality of the infantile ghoulish media pouncing on every opportunity to stir up inter-faith arguments, it was great to see the rabbis of the US come out and side with the Pope about the RC bishop with the holocaust revisionist ideas. When Jewish leaders come out and point out that the Pope did the right thing in removing the bishop and give their reasons for backing his general approach, its a great sign. I’m encouraged. If we do this enough, maybe the media will have to stick their icky hands in to other issues. See http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles-2009/White-Left-Wing-Of-The-Catholic-Church-Destroying-The-Faith-Says-Orthodox-Rabbi.php
Fr. John
March 3rd, 2009
The US Institute for Peace (USIP) issued a report last month entitled “Islamic Peacemaking Since 9/11“. Summary:
- Muslims in general and Muslim leaders particularly have often been severely criticized for not more energetically condemning the violent acts of Muslim extremists.
- Violent extremists are on one edge of the Muslim community. They are counter-balanced by a growing movement of Muslim peacemakers.
- Equally as notable as Islamic militancy but less noted are Muslims’ 1) widespread condemnation of terrorism and other violent acts; 2) promotion of interfaith dialogue; 3) education of Muslim youth and reeducation of extremist Muslims; and 4) promotion of peaceful conflict resolution.
The report concludes:
It is common knowledge that some Muslims espouse extremist interpretations of Islam, and some of these extremists engage in religiously motivated violence. But what is much less widely recognized is the extent of peacebuilding within the worldwide Muslim community. A large majority of Muslims denounce religiously motivated violence and are disgusted by the abuse of their religion. Evidence of this can be seen in Muslim leaders’ widespread condemnation of terrorism and religiously motivated violence around the world after 9/11, as well as after recent events in India. In addition, this report has described the efforts of many Muslim organizations and leaders to promote more frequent and effective dialogue with Christians and Jews to enhance mutual understanding and create practical steps to improve relations. Efforts are also under way in many places to vigorously educate Muslim youth about the core Islamic teachings of tolerance, peace, and pluralism. In addition, governments and institutions in Muslim countries are working to reeducate Muslim extremists about the falsity of the doctrines they advocate and to find alternative nonviolent methods to express their discontent.
Finally, there are growing indications of Muslim individuals and organizations promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
While the number of Muslim peacebuilding organizations is rising, many are small and struggling financially. International donors could make an important contribution to world peace by aiding these organizations and strengthening their programs. Several American Muslim organizations have recognized the important roles they can play in reinforcing pluralism within Islam worldwide, and they should be encouraged and supported. Muslim leaders who promote nonviolence, pluralism, and tolerance should be recognized and their efforts publicized. Key Muslim organizations around the world are mobilizing to counter extremism within Islam, and they should be applauded.
The report is well worth a read, and provides a viewpoint we don’t get in the mainstream media, because it doesn’t sell papers.
Dave
March 2nd, 2009
The US-based National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East (NILI) has stepped up its activities in the aftermath of the recent Gaza conflict. NILI provides much useful information on their web site, including practical advice for local interreligious initiatives, prayers for peace from each of our traditions, and a variety of model documents, op-ed pieces, ideas for modelling behaviour that demonstrates peace between our religious communities, and more.
The site provides much-needed information and actionable items we can work together on the difficult but critical task of creating peace.
February 12th, 2009
In early January at the height of the fighting in Gaza, bFM’s Joe Nunweek rang up Anjum Rahman and myself to pick up the conversation from where we left off from our 2006 Aotearoa Ethnic Network Journal articles on Jewish and Muslim perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Here are the bFM podcasts:
Dave Moskovitz:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Anjum Rahman:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The bottom line: While Anjum and I have different perspectives on history and the core issues, we continue to be good friends and seek to support those who work for peace.
Thanks to Joe and bFM for running excellent, balanced, and yet probing interviews.
Dave
February 8th, 2009
Faiths Working Together Appeal
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chair of the Muslim Charities Foundation, Dr Hany El Banna and the Head of the Movement for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, are calling on people of all faiths to give generously to the Faiths Working Together Appeal to help rebuild shattered lives in Gaza.
“I hope that all people of faith – and all of goodwill – will support this initiative by giving generously and by using all available websites and other resources to contribute and to spread the word.” – Dr Rowan Williams
“I warmly support this initiative as a model for cooperation between the Abrahamic faiths and welcome the practical concern for all the victims of the conflict, regardless of faith or nationality.“ –Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Head of the Movement for Reform Judaism.
Donations will be collected by Christian Aid and then used by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief to fund their relief, reconstruction and post emergency work.
To donate, visit: http://www.faithsworkingtogether.org/donate/
February 5th, 2009
Previous Posts