Dialogue International

Madison Jewish Community Council

On the evening of Thursday, October 12, 2006, 25 students from the University of Wisconsin Hillel Foundation and the Dialogue International Muslim student group at UW-Madison, gathered at Hillel to celebrate the Ramadan break-the-fast as well as the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The program was designed to promoted dialogue between the groups and foster greater understanding of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and the Jewish holidays of Sukkot and Yom Kippur. The evening started in the Hillel Sukkah with an explanation of the holiday by Rabbi Andrea Steinberger. Rabbi Steinberger said of the event,

“It was one of those moments where we all felt that it was both a little thing and a big thing.  It was a group of 25 people coming together – American Jews and Turkish Muslims.  We gave one another respect and listened to each other, and felt such a friendship immediately.  We have some common goals and prayers and rituals!  We all felt that it brought the world a little closer to achieving peace between peoples.  I hope it is the start of a new relationship between Jews and Muslims on this campus.”

Afterwards, the group moved inside Hillel for icebreakers and a dinner with ethnic jewish and muslim foods provided by both groups.  Fikrullah Kisa, the chair of Dialogue International spoke to the student in attendance about the holiday of Ramadan and did the traditional blessings over the meal.  Following dinner, Jewish student Abbie Steiner explained the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“The opportunity to meet with Muslim students on campus in a safe environment where we can share a meal and learn about each other’s customs is very important. We need to do more to bring these communities together – we are all students of the University of Wisconsin.”

Abbie said following the event.

At the end of the event, Dialogue International presented Hillel with a gift of a t-shirt, with the logos of both organizations, flags from throughout the world, and the message of love, tolerance, dialogue, and peace.

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot commemorates the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert following their Exodus from Egypt, during which time they lived in portable shelters or booths. Sukkot is one of three festivals each year during which the Israelites made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Quran “was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation” It is during this month that Muslims fast. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives.

Reference:

• Hillel and Muslim Students Gather for Sukkat Shalom Salaam Program [Madison Jewish Community Council]