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08/30/2016 03:15 PMIn part to discuss recent attitudes toward Muslims, and in part to provide education on a religion that is too often equated with terrorism, Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester is hosting a free, three-part series on Islam beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
“We thought at this particular time, with all that’s going on in the world, it would be a very good time for us to investigate and learn about Islam and hear the voices of some of the Muslims themselves,” said Ellen Nodelman, chair of the synagogue’s Adult Education Committee.
In conjunction with Andy Schatz, chair of the synagogue’s Social Action Committee and president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, Nodelman reached out to a Muslim couple, Reza and Aida Mansoor. Reza is a cardiologist who founded the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut after 9/11.
“Reza Mansoor is one of the leading Muslim speakers and activists in the state,” noted Schatz.
Aida Mansoor recently served as president of the coalition and also serves on its board; she and her husband are very involved with outreach about Islam to non-Muslims. The goal of their coalition aligns with the goal of the synagogue’s series: to clarify misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims through education and outreach in the local community.
“We came up with this three-part series, which we thought would give general background on Islam and then deal with Islam in the current world today and all the many issues that are constantly being vetted in the news on Islam,” said Nodelman.
Each session features a different speaker, along with refreshments. Aida Mansoor will present the first lecture, which will provide an overview of Islam as well as a look at the role of women in Islam. The series continues on Wednesday, Sept. 14 with the history, culture, and leadership of the Muslim world presented by Refai Arefin, a member of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and assistant imam of the Berlin Mosque.
“He’s a very articulate and interesting young man who’s a lawyer as well. He’ll be talking about the governance of Islam,” said Nodelman of Arefin.
The series concludes with a look at current issues and possible solutions presented by Reza on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
“It’s meant to be educational and informative and we think it meets a great need,” said Nodelman of the series. “We hope people from outside both the Jewish and the Muslim communities will come. We’d just love to have lots of people show up and avail themselves of this opportunity.”
At the final session, Reza Mansoor will also discuss and autograph his recently published book, Stigmatized! – From 9/11 to Trump and Beyond; An American Muslim Journey. Beyond the coordination of the Adult Education Committee and Social Action Committee, the synagogue’s Program Committee, which oversees its Books & Bagels events, worked with the Mansoors to arrange for the books to be sold at each event.
“This is a perfect example of members of our little community working together,” Nodelman said. “We’re also hoping this will be the beginning of sort of an outreach interface for our congregation and the Muslim community.”
In general, the series is part of the synagogue’s ongoing effort to embrace diversity and build a relationship between the Jewish and Muslim communities. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is also part of a coalition sponsoring a Muslim refuge family.
“This is something we think is very timely and very in keeping with our mandate, tikkun olam—help man heal the world,” said Nodelman.
“It’s for the community to gain understanding, to recognize the value in the diverse perspectives that we have, and hopefully to be able to talk about what actions might be taken to best benefit all of us going forward,” Schatz added. “We all owe it to ourselves and our country to be very careful how we address any groups.”
Past programs hosted at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek have focused on antisemitism, racial justice, death with dignity, and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
“We don’t shy away from controversy,” Schatz emphasized. “The goal here is to get these topics out in the open, which is the best way to address any issue.”
Those planning to attend “Islam: History, Practices, and Beliefs” should call the synagogue in advance so they will know how many people to expect; drop-ins are also welcome.
“Islam: History, Practices, and Beliefs” takes place on Wednesdays, Sept 7, 14, and 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway, Chester. The series is free. For more information or to register (requested, though drop-ins are welcome), call the CBSRZ office at 860-526-8920.