The Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee is honored to be a co-sponsor of The joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. Organized by Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle Families Forum, the ceremony creates a desperately needed space for Palestinians and Israelis to grieve together and stand together calling for the end of the war and all violence. We will stand strong in demonstrating that another way is possible, that the zero-sum game is not leading us to the future we hope for. Join us to mourn, and join us to build hope! Register to attend the in-person event in Brooklyn where we will hear from local leaders and stream the main event: https://secure.everyaction.com/DwJMdmYuMEWMzFxEdk4ffA2 (fb)

Hello friends! We know that it has been quite a while since we last posted something...but with the beginning of the Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShanah), MJSC would like to share some inspirational words from our Director of Educational Experiences & Programming, Ruben Shimonov: “Tonight, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, Jews all over the world will be observing the holiest day of the Jewish year: Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement. In both Hebrew and Arabic, the words for “atonement” are quite similar: Kapparah (‏כפרה) and Kaffārah (‏كفارة), respectively. While they have different jurisprudential implications in each faith, at the core of both of these words is the act of making amends or reparation for wrongdoing. Yom Kippur is often seen as a solemn and sad day, but the Jewish tradition actually teaches us that “never were there for the Jewish people days of greater festivity than the 15th of [the month of] Av and Yom Kippur” (Mishnah, Ta’anit 4:8). The Talmud then expounds on this by stating that “We can understand why Yom Kippur is the ultimate day of joy, because it has the elements of pardon and forgiveness” (Talmud Bavli, Ta’anit 30b). This teaches us that there is great happiness and liberation in genuinely making amends, forgiving, and being forgiven. How might we be able to apply this lesson to our own lives—to our community-building work, to our interpersonal relationships, and to forgiving and healing our selves? Holding this intention, I share with you a calligraphy piece that I made combining the words Kapparah (‏כפרה) and Kaffārah (‏كفارة). Peace and blessings / Salaam waBarakaat / Shalom veBerakhot to everyone.” (fb)