So, here in Chicago, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is doing some great work as part of their Jewish-Muslim Community-Building Initiative that I wanted to tell you about super-fast before Shabbes.
Jewish-Muslim text study will be held on Thursday January 24th at 6pm at Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Chicago. In the recent email I was forwarded about this event, I read, "Torah? Qur'ran? What are the differences? What are the similarities? At our first monthly text discussion, we will exchange ideas, thoughts and stories from our separate yet bound traditions. This evening's focus will be on Abraham/Ibrahim. Future texts, as well as locations, will be decided by the group.This group will meet monthly." Hit this link to send the required RSVP.
Cafe Finjan (Finjan, a word in both Arabic and Hebrew, is a metal pot for brewing coffee in the traditional Middle Eastern style, not only in the home, but also on a campfire, with friends gathered around for warmth) will be held Thursday February 7th from 7-9pm at Mercury Cafe in Chicago. The event description reads: "Jewish-Muslim arts exchanges — an evening of Muslim and Jewish poetry, storytelling and song in an intimate coffee-house setting. Come join new and old friends for a night of comedy, music, song, and spoken word.CAFÉ FINJAN is a series of interfaith arts exchanges, begun in 2004 by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs as part of its Jewish-Muslim Community-Building Initiative. The series establishes points of contact, and nurtures a greater understanding between Jews and Muslims of Chicago while creating spaces for Chicagoland Jews, Muslims, and others of diverse backgrounds to come together and give voice to their identity and experience as part of a larger community." RSVP here.
Also, Cafe Finjan is looking for performers of any sort (writers, poets, singers, songwriters, dancers, essayists, storytellers, etc.) for their events. Just email and include your name, phone, email, details of your performance and the community (Jewish or Muslim) with which you identify yourself for a five-minute time space.
But, don't stop there. Hit their website for information on all sorts of events, including something called Chocolate for Change, which, well, sounds rather interesting…