The Abraham Initiatives

Last updated

The Abraham Initiatives Logo.jpg

The Abraham Initiatives is a non-profit organization based in Lod (Israel), New York City and London. Named after the common ancestor of both Jews and Arabs, Abraham. According to its website, it "strives to fulfill the promise of full and equal citizenship and complete equality of social and political rights for Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens". [1]

Contents

History

Founded in 1989 by the late Alan B. Slifka and Eugene Weiner, the Abraham Initiatives was one of the first nonprofit organizations dedicated to furthering coexistence between Israel's Arab and Jewish citizens. [2]

Special campaigns

The Abraham Initiatives has implemented a number of stand-alone campaigns aimed at fostering greater tolerance in Israeli society between the Arab and Jewish populations and responding to key issues as they arise. Examples of these include the Yom Kippur-Eid al-Adha Tolerance Campaign. In 2014 and 2015, the major Jewish and Islamic Holy Days of Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha coincided. This concurrence rarely occurs, approximately every 33 years, and in Israel has the potential to spark unrest as a result of the very different traditions associated with these religious days. Yom Kippur is a somber day of fasting and introspection, and Eid al-Adha is a joyous celebration. Furthermore, in Israel, even though the Jewish population is aware of the timing and basic customs of Ramadan, it is generally unaware of Eid el-Adha and could misinterpret the celebrations as provocations. [3] The Abraham Initiatives worked to raise awareness to this concurrence. This was done through various actions. In 2014 – a large conference which hosted both Chief Rabbis of Israel and major Muslim leaders [4] [5] and a series of newspaper adverts in the Hebrew and Arabic media. [6] In 201, joining forces with the Israeli collage artist Hanoch Piven, The Abraham Initiatives created a short animated clip which was screened on Israeli TV channels and on social media. [7] [8] The animation was narrated in both Arabic and Hebrew by well-known Israeli celebrities Mira Awad (who also sits on the Board of Directors of the Abraham Initiatives) and Alon Neuman. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab–Israeli peace projects</span>

Arab–Israeli peace projects are projects to promote peace and understanding between the Arab League and Israel in different spheres. These are part of a broader attempt at a peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. Sponsors of such projects can be found both in Israel and Palestine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamic–Jewish relations</span> Overview of the relationship between the religions of Judaism and Islam

Islamic–Jewish relations comprise the human and diplomatic relations between Jewish people and Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and their surrounding regions. Jewish–Islamic relations may also refer to the shared and disputed ideals between Judaism and Islam, which began roughly in the 7th century CE with the origin and spread of Islam in the Arabian peninsula. The two religions share similar values, guidelines, and principles. Islam also incorporates Jewish history as a part of its own. Muslims regard the Children of Israel as an important religious concept in Islam. Moses, the most important prophet of Judaism, is also considered a prophet and messenger in Islam. Moses is mentioned in the Quran more than any other individual, and his life is narrated and recounted more than that of any other prophet. There are approximately 43 references to the Israelites in the Quran, and many in the Hadith. Later rabbinic authorities and Jewish scholars such as Maimonides discussed the relationship between Islam and Jewish law. Maimonides himself, it has been argued, was influenced by Islamic legal thought.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tishrei</span> 7th month of the Hebrew calendar

Tishrei or Tishri is the first month of the civil year and the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar. The name of the month is Babylonian. It is a month of 30 days. Tishrei usually occurs in September–October on the Gregorian calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eid al-Adha</span> Islamic holiday on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah

Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. In Islamic custom, it honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, or Isaac, as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals such as lambs are sacrificed. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three portions: one part of the meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, one portion is for friends and relatives, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. The day is also sometimes called the Greater Eid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab citizens of Israel</span> Overview of the ethnic Arab citizens of the State of Israel

Israeli Arabs, colloquially "48-Arabs", most of whom now prefer the term Palestinian citizens of Israel according to most sources, are the largest ethnoreligious minority in Israel. They comprise a hybrid community of Israeli citizens who were or are descended from Palestinian citizens before 1948, bilingual in Palestinian Arabic and Hebrew, and who self-identify in a wide range of intersectional civic, national, and religious identities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Melchior</span> Israeli rabbi and politician

Michael Melchior is a Jewish leader, Orthodox rabbi, thinker, and activist. He is a former Minister of Social and Diaspora Affairs, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a former member of Knesset for Meimad. He is the Rabbi of a community in Talpiyot, Jerusalem, while still holding the title of the Chief Rabbi of Norway.

For exact dates in the Gregorian calendar see Jewish and Israeli holidays 2000–2050.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da'am Workers Party</span> Israeli political party

The Da'am Workers Party is a revolutionary socialist multi-ethnic political party in Israel, where it is commonly known by the acronym Da'am. It calls for political and social revolution in favor of workers' rights, the nationalization of key industries, Jewish–Arab coexistence, and gender equality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raleb Majadele</span>

Raleb Majadele is an Israeli Arab politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party in three spells between 2004 and 2015, and became the country's first Muslim minister when appointed Minister without Portfolio on 28 January 2007. Between March 2007 - March 2009 he served as Minister of Science, Culture and Sport, the first Muslim minister in Israeli history.

Israeli Jews or Jewish Israelis are Israeli citizens and nationals who are Jewish through either their Jewish ethnicity and/or their adherence to religious Judaism. The term also includes the descendants of Jewish Israelis who have emigrated and settled outside of the State of Israel, where they are predominantly found in the Western world. The overwhelming majority of Israeli Jews speak Hebrew, a Semitic language, as their native tongue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre</span>

The Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre is a four-day performing arts festival held annually in the city of Acre, Israel during the Intermediate Days of the Sukkot holiday in early autumn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yitzhak Reiter</span> Israeli political scientist (born 1952)

Yitzhak Reiter is an Israeli political scientist who is full professor of Islamic, Middle East and Israel Studies serving as the Head of Research Authority and Chair of Israel Studies at Ashkelon Academic College. He is also a senior researcher at both the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research and the Harry S. Truman Institute for Peace Research of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as Editor-In-Chief of Israel Academic Press.

Racism in Israel encompasses all forms and manifestations of racism experienced in Israel, irrespective of the colour or creed of the perpetrator and victim, or their citizenship, residency, or visitor status. More specifically in the Israeli context, racism in Israel refers to racism directed against Israeli Arabs by Israeli Jews, intra-Jewish racism between the various Jewish ethnic divisions, historic and current racism towards Mizrahi Jews although some believe the dynamics have reversed, and racism on the part of Israeli Arabs against Israeli Jews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Druze in Israel</span> Ethnoreligious minority among Israels Arab citizens

Israeli Druze or Druze Israelis are an ethnoreligious minority among the Arab citizens of Israel.

Alan Bruce Slifka was a New York investor and philanthropist, a co-founder of the Abraham Fund, and founding chairman of the Big Apple Circus. He was a native of Manhattan, New York City.

The Day to Mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from the Arab Countries and Iran is a National Day of Commemoration in Israel, observed every year on November 30 to memorialize the departure and expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasrin Kadri</span> Israeli singer

Nasreen Qadri, better known as Nasrin Kadri, is an Arab-Israeli singer of traditional and pop Middle Eastern and Mizrahi music. Qadri, a Muslim convert to Judaism, mostly sings in Hebrew, but also performs Arabic songs, among them the songs of Umm Kulthum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talal Alkernawi</span> Arab-Muslim Israeli politician

Talal Alkernawi is an Arab-Muslim Israeli politician. He served as the mayor of Rahat in three spells between 1993 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levi Duchman</span> Rabbi of the Jewish community in the UAE

Levi Duchman is the first resident chief rabbi of the United Arab Emirates. He also serves as the head of the Jewish congregation of Abu Dhabi, of the Jewish Community Center of UAE in Dubai, and as a member of the executive board of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States.

References

  1. "Mission and Vision". Abraham Initiatives. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  2. "Alan Slifka, philanthropist, coexistence advocate, dies". BrandeisNOW. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  3. "Israel on Edge as Yom Kippur, Id al-Adha Overlap for First Time in More Than 30 Years". Haaretz.com. 3 October 2014.
  4. "Forget About Thanksgivukkah. It's Almost Id Kippur". Haaretz.com. 2 October 2014.
  5. "Jewish and Muslim leaders hold coexistence meeting before Yom Kippur, Id al-Adha - Israel News - Jerusalem Post". Jpost.com. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  6. Simon, Daniel Ben (2 October 2014). "Israel braces for conflict as Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha coincide". Al-monitor.com. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  7. "Jewish Yom Kippur and Muslim Eid al-Adha fall on the same day this year". Metro.co.uk. 22 September 2015.
  8. "On hot Yom Kippur, Israel's Jews and Arabs kept their cool". Jta.org. 24 September 2015.
  9. "Alon Neuman". Tedxjerusalem.com\accessdate=4 August 2019.