Muslim and Jewish students shared cookies, conversation and conceptions of God in Cafe Vivian Wednesday at the second Muslim-Jewish Dialogue (MJD) event of the year.
Marc Grinberg, a senior in the politics department, and Rasha Al-Duwaisan, a junior in the Wilson School, created the program last year as a collaboration between the Center for Jewish Life and the Muslim Students Association.
Both Grinberg and Al-Duwaisan felt there was a general lack of interaction — and consequent lack of knowledge — between students of the two faiths.
While the University does not release information about religious identification, the CJL estimates 10 to 11 percent of the undergraduate population is Jewish. There are substantially fewer Muslim students, though no percentage is available.
The casual gatherings of the MJD are meant to increase cultural understanding and are not forums for political discussions, Grinberg said.
"It's politics that will be divisive," Grinberg said.
Earlier this month, forum participants gathered in the dining hall of the CJL to discuss various holidays. Twenty-seven undergraduates and graduates, representing at least three faiths and spanning several academic departments, attended the first MJD gathering of the year.
Many students were intrigued by common aspects of the two religions. As Al-Duwaisan explained the protocol for praying in groups, some Jewish students looked at one another and said in surprise that it "sounds familiar."
Associate Dean of Religious Life Paul Raushenbush, who focuses on interfaith relations, suggested basic dialogue is essential.
"When the hard issues come up," he said, it's important "to have some sort of connection."
Muslims and Jews may likely have different political views, but Raushenbush said, "disagreement doesn't mean disengagement." He would like to see similar substantive dialogue between Hindu-Muslim and Jewish-Christian groups.
The MJD, sponsored by the Bildner Fund for the Advancement of Diversity on Campus, held several events last year, including a coffee conversation on the role of women in Islam and Judaism as well as a dinner discussion on dietary laws that featured kosher pizza and Indian food.
The program is not limited to those who identify themselves as Muslim or Jewish. Chris Chaney '07, a Roman Catholic, attended the dinner because of his general interest in Islam.
The MJD plans to hold four events each semester and students from all backgrounds are welcome to attend. The next activity will be a Ramadan breakfast in early November.
"Ideally, if this model could be emulated everywhere – that's the goal," Grinberg said. "There's no Jewish politics or Muslim politics."
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