Finding commonalities and appreciating differences were the guiding themes for the Jewish community’s interfaith Iftar event last week (June 14) at the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex.
“As a sign of our friendship and strengthening relationship with the Muslim community we felt that this was our opportunity to invite our friends over for dinner,” said Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Sponsored by the JCRC and 11 synagogues, the gathering marked the first time the Jewish community as a whole hosted a meal for Iftar, the traditional breaking of the fast done at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Picker Neiss said about 250 were on-hand to experience the event with a fairly even breakdown between Jews and Muslims. People of all faiths were welcome to attend.
“We are all one. We all love each other,” said Helal Ekramuddin, chair of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis. “There is only a few people in this world who believe in hate and discrimination. It is very important to show these two communities getting together to have a meal together.”
Seating arrangements were designed so that both Muslims and Jews were present at each table. Small cards at each place setting featured icebreaker questions such as “Does your name have a meaning?” and “What is your favorite holiday?”
Rabbi Jim Bennett of Shaare Emeth said he thought the event was a good way of breaking down walls. His congregation hosted a similar event in 2013 with the local Turkish community. He said it had led to other forms of engagement, something he hoped would happen here.
“I think that’s what we’re going to see from this as well,” he said. “I’ve been walking around and noticing friendships emerging, connections with people saying let’s do this again. What would be really beautiful I think would be if families would connect throughout the year and find common ground and opportunity to build real relationships.”