Interreligious Leadership Mission 2010
Jewish, Muslim and Christian clergy and leaders travel to Israel to foster understanding
To truly understand a place -- its nuances and complexities -- one must walk its streets and talk to its people. Thirteen Jewish, Muslim and Christian clergy, leaders and educators did just that, joining together on an interfaith mission to Israel from June 22- July 1, 2010.
The trip, sponsored by the Interreligious Action Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and under the leadership of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, afforded seminary faculty and leaders from all three Abrahamic faiths the opportunity to learn about the subtleties of a country that is too often painted in broad strokes. [More below the break]
Read participants' blog entries from Israel and their post-trip reactions.
This mission was the third in a series of interfaith trips sponsored by the Federation's Interreligious Action Center, which is dedicated to promoting a balanced, nuanced understanding of Israel to a diverse group of educators. The trip also deepened the participants' understanding of each other's religions and world views.
Featuring historic site visits and meetings with prominent leaders and thinkers in government, business, academia, media and religious life, the trip had a profound effect on its participants.
"This was the first trip to Israel for many of our participants, and we welcomed the opportunity to introduce this impressive group to Israel's diversity," said Board of Rabbis Executive Vice President Rabbi Mark S. Diamond. "We find great value in sharing, learning and traveling together, and we intend to broaden and deepen our interfaith partnerships now that we have returned to Los Angeles."
The trip was packed with incredible opportunities for learning and sharing. Just a few highlights include:
Guided visit through the newly renovated Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, concluding with an interfaith reflection and prayer at the Valley of the Communities.
Meeting with Anglican Bishop Suheil Dawani at St. George's Cathedral Center.
Discussion about Palestinian perspectives Khaled Abu Toameh, Palestinian Affairs correspondent for the Jerusalem Post.
Visit New Generation Technology, a technology incubator in Nazareth dedicated to the entrepreneurial potential of the Israeli Arab population.
Performance by Voices of Peace an Arab-Jewish Youth Choir, created by Israeli pop musician Shlomo Gronich and led by Ibrahim Abu-Shindi, at the Music Center in South Tel Aviv.
Dialogue with Principal Karen Tal and students at the Rogozin School , among the most diverse public schools in Israel, supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
Dialogue with former Member of Knesset Nadia Hilou, the first Christian-Arab woman in the Knesset and advocate of child and family rights, in Tel Aviv.
Mission Participants:
Roger Alford, Professor of Law, Pepperdine University
Rabbi Anne Brenner, Professor of Ritual and Human Development, Academy for Jewish Religion, CA
Rabbi Mark S. Diamond, Executive Vice President of the Board of Rabbis, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
George Douglas, Presbyterians Concerned for Christian Jewish Relations, Presbyterian Church, Pacific Palisades
Pam Douglas, Presbyterians Concerned for Christian Jewish Relations, Presbyterian Church, Pacific Palisades
Dr. Tamar Frankiel, Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Comparative Religion, Academy for Jewish Religion, CA
Jonathan Freund, Director of Educational and Interreligious Programs, Board of Rabbis of Southern California, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, President and Dean of Rabbinical School and Chaplaincy Program, Academy for Jewish Religious, CA
Dr. Christopher Hays, Assistant Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Dr. Joshua Holo, Director of Louchhiem School of Judaic Studies, Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles
Timothy Pownall, Director PACIS Project in Faith Based Diplomacy, Pepperdine University
Dr. Saba Soomekh, Adjunct Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University
Najeeba Syeed, Assistant Professor of Interreligious Education, Claremont School of Theology