Even in the best of times, interfaith work remains a challenge.
These are far from the best times.
Just as it is best to build bridges before a flood, interfaith advocates say that relationships across religious boundaries must be built before a crisis erupts – in the hope that they can withstand a crisis. .
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The massacre of Jews by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and the devastating and deadly toll resulting from Israeli retaliation in Gaza constitutes such a crisis, one that has made interfaith dialogue all the more important – and all the more difficult.
Over the past month, relations have been strained. Veterans of interfaith work said repairing those relationships will take time — but that time has not yet come.
“We would be lying to ourselves if we pretended that these events happening abroad are not putting a strain on these relationships,” said Rabbi Lydia Medwin of the Temple. “I think time will tell how this most recent attack in Israel and Israel’s response to Gaza will play out within those relationships. »
Soumaya Khalifa, founder and executive director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau
Soumaya Khalifa, founder and executive director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau, said: “Yes, relationships are going to be strained at times. We have to agree to disagree. We need to look at common values and work on them. Are times difficult? Yes, it is extremely difficult, but we must work on relationships, on contact.
Chris Ray Alexander, program director of the Children’s Interfaith Movement, echoed these thoughts. “Relationships are the only way. Relationships are complicated, messy and complex,” he said.
The danger, according to Alexander, is that in the absence of relationships built over time, a void can form. “And a void will usually be filled by monsters.”
Chris Ray Alexander, program director for the Children’s Interfaith Movement
The mission of interfaith work is “to work for the common good in our community, so that when there are things that need healing, we do it together.” We all live together as neighbors. We recognize that we are all part of one humanity,” said Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser, president of Interfaith Atlanta (formerly known as Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta). “We support each other in difficult times, in times of turmoil and in times of joy,” Nemhauser said.
It is a time of turmoil and turmoil. The horrific nature of the October 7 Hamas attacks, in which some 1,400 Israelis were killed, stunned the Jewish community.
While many reported that non-Jewish friends had “reached out” to them, offering expressions of sympathy and concern, others felt hurt and confused when they did not receive such support. Some wondered why, after devoting their time, energy, and money to various causes, they felt a cold attitude from people they considered friends or allies, people they believed shared a common understanding. similar view of the world.
Nemhauser is one of them. “I have 50 to 80 interfaith friends in my sphere with whom I have traveled, served on boards, and been closely associated with over the past decade. I can count on one hand the number of people who have contacted me to say: this is horrible, as if reaching out to me (after the October 7 massacre) was an affront and an admission, in a way, of Israel’s legitimacy,” she said. “It’s hurtful and disappointing, and I don’t want to give up, but there’s a part of me that wants to throw in the towel. I’m absolutely devastated by the lack of sensitization.
Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser, president of Interfaith Atlanta
Nemhauser, who describes himself as a “modern, liberal Zionist,” said: “I realized years ago that Zionist was a trigger word, a dirty word. Now I realize that Israel is a trigger word, a bad word. Israel, in itself, is now synonymous with something very negative. »
Furthermore, she said: “There are Jewish members of the interfaith community who feel that they are only welcome in interfaith spaces if they deny any connection to Israel and therefore, this history of The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in their living rooms warrants no response. from our friends and colleagues who are not Jewish – because they feel that everyone is somehow on this page.
Being an interfaith advocate may seem idealistic to others, but they are not naive.
“I recognize that there is a complex and historical sense of unjust actions by Israel, the most ‘powerful’, towards the Palestinian people and I believe that the work I do and the support I provide are aimed solely at causes that broker peace and a viable solution for the Palestinian people. two peoples in two countries,” Nemhauser said.
Rabbi Lydia Medwin of the Temple
Medwin said: “I think there are two very different narratives being held by two peoples and, when there is no unrest in the Middle East, we can easily ignore those narratives. At present, it is impossible to ignore them. Although I am careful about my narrative, I can recognize that some of our co-partners in interfaith circles have their own narratives.
In the end, “That’s why we invest, so that we have moments where we look at each other, where we say to each other, it hurts me that you believe what you believe, but this relationship can withstand that . I hope that’s what happens,” Medwin said.
In the past, during other tragedies or issues of common concern, or to educate the community about their beliefs, Jewish, Muslim and Christian interfaith advocates, along with their peers of other faiths, have come together. But not this time, not again. “It’s too raw right now. The emotions are very high and very raw,” Khalifa said.
Once the war is over, “we can start to repair the damage.” It’s going to take time,” Khalifa said.
While she understands the pain caused by the lack of contact with friends and allies, “I think we need to give people some grace as well. If they haven’t contacted me, that doesn’t mean they don’t care about me as a friend,” Khalifa said.
“You can’t underestimate the impact trauma has on people and their worldview,” Alexander said. “Ideologies can turn around in no time when they experience something.”
The Rev. Gerald Durley, Pastor Emeritus of Providence Missionary Baptist Church
Because of his age, 81, and a resume dating back to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the Rev. Gerald Durley, pastor emeritus of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, could be the leading interfaith advocate in Atlanta.
“Interfaith dialogue, interaction and communication encourages all involved to appreciate our different theological, political and cultural differences. When we do not attempt to understand why a particular group is so adamant about its position on an issue, misunderstanding and distrust abound,” Durley said. “I fell victim to this vicious cycle from a very young age, when I was not exposed to different religious traditions and was somewhat skeptical of why others thought their beliefs and points of view were the most appropriate. Subsequently, I often found myself in conflictual relationships. It wasn’t until I started engaging in uncomfortable, but essential, conversations with people of other faiths and cultures that I began to understand that our differences, when respected, made us stronger.
Conversations around Israel and the Palestinians, particularly those centered on Hamas attacks and Israeli retaliation, have been uncomfortable at best. “Most people do not understand the protracted situation in Israel today and are conflicted when they feel compelled to choose one side or the other rather than seeking a mutual peaceful solution,” said Durley, who visited the region within the framework of interfaith groups.
Although decades younger, Alexander – who is training to become a minister in the United Church of Christ – understands the importance of dialogue between religions. “We need to do the interfaith work now, because this won’t be the last time we need it,” he said.
Alexander highlighted a recent interfaith service, sponsored by the Children’s Interfaith Movement, which included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist clergy. Planning for the event, held at Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, began months earlier. “Without pre-existing relationships, this wouldn’t have happened. In this environment, this could never have happened,” he said.
And, he added, without relationships built to withstand a crisis, “a void will be filled by monsters.”
You just have to follow the public discourse since October 7 to know that monsters are brewing.
