Fighting Hatred

Abrahamic House

Raised in Yemen, Mohammed Al Samawi was taught from an early age to be suspicious of other faiths. An unlikely encounter with a Christian teacher challenged his beliefs and led him toward interfaith activism. In an epic story that has been shared in a compelling book, Mohammed escaped his war-torn country and came to the United States where he founded Abrahamic House, a multi-faith space where individuals from diverse religious backgrounds come together to live, learn, share, pray, celebrate, connect, and serve. Located in Washington, DC, Abrahamic House hosts emerging interfaith leaders from different faith traditions for a 1-2 year residential fellowship program. Through this program, they challenge assumptions, prejudices, and inequities, while inspiring and mobilizing others to foster understanding and build bridges across communities.

Inheritance Theater Project

There are many ways to help bring people together, to share their stories, to learn from their differences and to create communities of harmony. In cities around the country (and beyond), Inheritance Theater Project creates plays based on the community’s history, its residents and its inherited wisdom, in an effort to bridge divides and create a cohesive society. Co-founded by Jon Adam Ross, Inheritance Theater Project utilizes playmaking/theater to join together intersectional, inter-generational, and interfaith communities–things sorely needed in our divided world.

Rekindle

Charmaine Rice, a Black woman trained in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, and Matt Fieldman, a White Jewish social entrepreneur and nonprofit professional, created Rekindle to bridge the ever-widening gap growing between two communities that at one time worked side-by-side to effect social justice and equity. Rekindle engages young leaders from both communities in frank and intense conversations and shared social action efforts to build greater understanding and mutual respect. First started in Cleveland, Rekindle has expanded to other communities throughout the country.

Our matching grant which was partially met by donations from participants themselves, is directed to general operations.

Tag Meir

Gadi Gvaryahu began Tag Meir in 2011 to address racism in Israel and to help solidify a more democratic and humanitarian society informed by Jewish values. Members of the organization come from all sectors of the Israel Jewish and Arab communities as well as from other established social justice organizations. All share a deep desire for a more just and compassionate society.

People of the Book

A fluent Arabic speaker and former journalist, Rabbi Elhanan Miller saw that many Muslims he knew didn’t have a clear understanding of Jewish practices and beliefs. What better way to effect mutual understanding and friendship between people in the Middle East with different religious and cultural backgrounds than education? People of the Book uses short animated videos that explain Jewish faith and ritual in Arabic and compare them to similar Muslim practices. The success of Rabbi Miller’s approach is best found in the tens of thousands of subscribers who access the People of the Book social media channels. Our funds are used for website development and administrative expenses.

TribeTalk

At one university, a Jewish student resigned from student government after being harassed for her pro-Israel views. At another, neo-Nazi posters were removed. At a third, anti-Israel rallies took place on the quad. The list goes on, as antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents rise on college campuses.

In Massachusetts, visionaries Michelle Black, Robin Friedman, and Jude Sydney recognized that their own children were unprepared to navigate shifting, challenging and sometimes threatening environments. In 2020, the three founded TribeTalk as a resource-rich hub giving college-bound high school students connections and information to help them evaluate Jewish life on campuses … and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to wear their Jewish identities proudly once there — and beyond.

Our funds help cover administrative expenses.