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Iftar in the Synagogue

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Nearly 900 Jews and Muslims attended Iftar in the Synagogue on August 2nd, 2012!

Background:

Since 2005, Jews and Muslims have gathered together at Anshe Shalom Bnai Israel Congregation to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Ramadan and the Jewish High Holidays. Since the Muslim calendar does not have a leap year, it changes relative to the Jewish and general calendars, we celebrate the Jewish holiday that coincides with Ramadan every year. For example, when Ramadan and the Jewish holiday Sukkot have coincided, we celebrated Iftar together in the Sukkah.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims observe a fast from dawn to sunset while spending extra time in devotion and prayer.  The fast is broken at sunset with iftar, the day’s main meal. 

The evening usually includes Jewish prayers, Muslim prayers, speakers, and of course schmoozing and eating a kosher dinner! To learn more check out the 2007 Chicago Tribune article about Iftar in the Sukkah.

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"Iftar in the Synagogue" media coverage:

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"Iftar In The Synagogue: Post-9/11 Chicago Jews And Muslims Foster Interfaith Community"
Published: 9/9/11 by Lizzie Schiffman

READ THE ARTICLE

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The Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative is a program of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
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