At the beginning of 2018, Bar-Ilan University undergraduate students, Sariba Feinstein, a Jewish immigrant (olah) from the US, and Fatima Amer, an Arab Muslim Israeli, combined forces to start a branch of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) at Bar-Ilan University under the leadership of their professor, Dr. Ben Mollov.
The success of this initiative sparked the innovative and pioneering “Jewish-Arab Inter-Religious Dialogue” academic program, created by Dr. Mollov, which is now completing its second year as part of the Bachelor of Arts in Communications, a degree offered in English at Bar-Ilan’s International School.
At the time, both Sariba and Fatima were students of Dr. Mollov, a lecturer in political science, conflict management and resolution, and Arab-Jewish dialogue in Bar-Ilan’s School of Communications.
“We founded the group of Jewish, Muslim and Christian students with the belief that the microcosm of Israeli society that is our university was a unique opportunity to broaden our exposure and understanding of different religions and cultures,” said Sariba, whose second major was Political Science.
“We wanted to allow such interaction to occur in a safe, academic space. The goal of founding the IEA branch at Bar-Ilan was to increase our understanding of the ‘other’, complementing our university experience with knowledge and understanding to help bridge the gaps in our fragmented society – both on campus and in the work force,” she said.
Pioneers of the first Jewish-Arab Inter-Religious Dialogue program at Bar-Ilan University
(L-R) Sariba Feinstein, Fatima Amer, and Dr. Ben Mollov at the pre-Purim class event where students packed Mishloach Manot (gift bags with food and drinks) for those in need
The Jewish-Arab Inter-Religious Dialogue course reflects the best practices used by the Interfaith Encounter Association in inter-religious dialogue encounters over the past 18 years.
“The IEA is an interfaith group whose main goal is to bridge the gaps between Muslims, Jews, Christians, and all the other religions by talking about the similar aspects in religion, tradition, and culture without any political agenda,” said Fatima.
“The course that Dr. Mollov developed explored all these aspects and helped us learn and grow. Everything he taught us showed us that our similarities are far greater than our differences. He helped us all embrace those differences to become closer to each other, and at the end of the course, I felt like we all became a family,” she said.
“Dr. Mollov taught us an important rule that I follow till this day – ‘self- respect, mutual-respect, and enrichment’. He showed us how important it is to follow these guidelines in order to be better, and that not only does this benefit us as individuals, but also the community,” Fatima stressed.
As a result of their hard work, Dr. Mollov invited Sariba and Fatima to be his student assistants during the pilot program.
Connecting through dialogue and celebrations: (L-R) Hiba Jiryis (Christian), Fatima Amer (Muslim), and Sariba Feinstein (Jewish) celebrating Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, with the traditional sufganiot (donuts)
Sariba, who graduated last year, took a few of Dr. Mollov’s courses, as do most of Bar-Ilan’s Communications students, including: Introduction to Conflict Resolution, Introduction to International Relations, Israeli-Arab Conflict, and Interfaith Dialogue.
“His courses were very insightful,” she said. “They broadened my knowledge and understanding, and helped me value the practical application of all matters relating to international relations, diplomacy, perspectives on the Israeli-Arab conflict, and intercultural relations.
“As a result of my studies, my group of friends has expanded beyond my immediate religious and cultural community; I feel more comfortable asking questions about the religion and culture of the people around me; it made me a better friend because I am able to reach out on their significant holidays, and I have a deeper level of understanding and foundation for these friendships. It showed me that we can really all get along – as long as we want to do so!” said Sariba
The Hope of Israel: Recognition by Israel’s President
Sariba, Fatima, and Dr. Mollov, were nominated for the Tikvah L’Yisrael (Hope of Israel) Award, an initiative of Israel’s President, Reuven Rivlin, for their efforts in promoting Jewish-Arab Inter-Religious dialogue.
“We won third place and got to meet the President of Israel when he came to the university at the beginning of the school year in 2019,” Fatima said. “It was an unbelievable experience for all of us.”
“Hope of Israel” is President Rivlin’s flagship program for strengthening statehood and establishing partnership between the four main sectors that comprise Israeli society: secular, religious, ultra-Orthodox, and Arab. This award encourages interfaith interactions throughout Israel’s educational institutions.
Hope for Israel Awards Ceremony at Bar-Ilan University held under the auspices of the President of Israel. Dr. Ben Mollov and two of his students, Fatima Amer and Sariba Feinstein, received awards in recognition of their work, including for the establishment and running of the Jewish-Arab Inter-Religious Dialogue program. The three can be seen holding their certificates in the center of the photograph.
Experiencing Different Religious Holidays
During the year, students had the privilege of experiencing their fellow students’ religious and tradition holidays. Not only did they learn different words in Hebrew and Arabic, but they also visited synagogues and mosques.
But the most rewarding experiences were the social visits that took place in homes and on campus.
“One of my Jewish friends hosted an Iftar (breaking of the fast) during Ramadan at her house,” said Fatima. “We all broke our fast together at the same table – Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
A traditional Muslim Iftar dinner in a religious Jewish home.
“And during Purim, we all got to give back to the community. During class, we made Mishloach Manot (gift bags with food and drinks) and we gave them to those who were in need in our communities. It was so rewarding,” she said.
“Seeing the diversity in our course made me relate to the following verse from the Quran, chapter (49), Surat l-Hujurat (The Dwellings): ‘Oh, men! Behold, we have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’ (Quran 49:13)
“We all, we’re able to connect, to understand and to feel each other. We were successful in joining all these ‘Nations’ and backgrounds together in one class and to end up with a nation of our own that is based on self-respect, mutual-respect, and enrichment. I’m grateful for everything I have learned in this class and for the people I have encountered,” concluded Fatima.
At the end of an entertaining day of packing Mishloach Manot (gift bags with food and drinks) for those in need during Purim, which simultaneously strengthened the bond between the students
Some of the young recipients of the Mishloach Manot in the Muslim community
Student visit to the Bar-Ilan University campus synagogue.
Student visit to the mosque in Kefar Qassim, which Fatima Amer regularly attends.
