Rabbi Rebecca L. Dubowe
A few weeks ago, the local Muslim community in Bloomington/ Normal offered an Open House to invite others to learn about their Islam faith. In fact, there was an overwhelming response from the community, which actually led to many people being turned away at the event only because the mosque could not fit everyone. Now this is what I call a good problem!
Rabbi Dubowe at December's NIOTBN-sponsored interfaith rally at the old courthouse in downtown Bloomington.
I know all about what happened at the event because our synagogue, Moses Montefiore Congregation, as the only Jewish community in Bloomington, was going to arrange for a group to visit the Open House. And then we were informed that there was no room! It was until then we all agreed that there should be another open house because of the outpouring positive response and interest for the greater Bloomington/Normal community to get to know their interfaith neighbors.
According to the Pew, Muslims make up less than 1 percent of Americans. About 1.8 million are adults, and if Muslims of all ages are counted, the total Muslim population in the United States comes to about 2.75 million. These small numbers may mean that most Americans will never come across a Muslim in their day-to-day life, and therefore, they may sometimes make biased assumptions about the entire community. This also means that approximately 8% of Americans may have met a Muslim when it should be 100%.
Here in the Bloomington/Normal, our chances of meeting a Muslim is far greater than 8% because we have indicated the essential value of knowing our neighbors. When people get to know each other and are willing to listen with open hearts, they are more likely to understand and discover how much they have in common. The efforts for inter- community dialogue are one of the most effective ways to break down stereotypes about race and religion. And this is how trust is built!
The commandment—the obligation to establish relationships with our fellow Muslim neighbors along with our Christian neighbors— is deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition. In the Torah, the Jews are taught to accept others without prejudice or bias. The Torah states, "You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kinsman, but incur no guilt because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Eternal.” In order to wholeheartedly embrace the Biblical teaching of loving one’s neighbor, trust must be taught and shared among us.
As we eagerly proceed with the goal of increased dialogue and interaction with our neighbors, I believe that these principles of Interreligious Dialogue would be a valuable source for us to consider. Principles for Interreligious Dialogue (Adapted from Leonard Swidler, “The Dialogue Decalogue,” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 20/1:1-4).
1. Enter into dialogue so that you can learn and grow, not to change the other.
2. Be conscious of the need to allow people the space to enter the discussion. Some people are less assertive about offering their thoughts, but will be encouraged to do so if more outspoken persons avoid dominating the exchange.
3. Be honest and sincere, even if that means revealing discomforts with your own tradition or that of the other. Assume that everyone else is being equally honest and sincere.
4. Everyone must be permitted to define their own religious experience and identity, and this must be respected by others.
5. Proselytizing or seeking to “convert” the conversation partner is not permitted in an interreligious dialogue setting. Participants should feel free to express their own faith traditions and beliefs, but not try to persuade others to assent to them.
6. Don’t feel that you are the spokesperson for your entire faith tradition or that you ought somehow to know everything there is to know about it. Admit any confusion or uncertainty you might have if a puzzling question arises.
7. Don’t assume in advance where points of agreement or disagreement will exist.
8. Everyone should be willing to be self-critical.
9. All should strive to experience the other’s faith “from within” and be prepared to view themselves differently as a result of an “outside” perspective.
10. Trust is a must. Trust is a must and may we, as the Bloomington/Normal community, look forward to many more Open Houses filled with celebration of diversity, respect, and love.
Rabbi Rebecca L. Dubowe currently serves as the Interim Rabbi for Moses Montefiore Congregation in Bloomington.