Discussion over Coffee
The Jewish-Muslim Discussion group meets to explore different themes in Islam and Judaism. Participants exchange ideas, thoughts, and stories from our separate yet bound traditions with help from a leader of each faith.
- For upcoming discussion sessions see upcoming events page
- To suggest a topic or leader contact Asaf Bar-Tura asaf@jcua.org
Watch Short Video about our Cafe Discussions:
Past Discussion Events (Dates, Topics, Facilitators, and Articles):
December 11, 2011: Jewish-Muslim Text Studt on "Economic Justice": Facilitated by Rabbi Allison Abrams (Temple Chai) and Imam Abdul-Malik Ryan (Muslim Chaplain at DePaul University). Read article here.
July 17, 2011: Jewish-Muslim Text Study on "Addictions, Dependency and Autonomy": Facilitated by Rabbi Ruven Barkan (Rabbi in Residence, Chicagoland Jewish High School) and Imam Abdul-Malik Ryan (Muslim Chaplain at DePaul University). Read article here.
May 26, 2011: Jewish/Muslim text study on "Rights and Obligations in Jewish and Muslim traditions." Facilitated by Rabbi Rachel Mikva (professor at the Chicago Theological Seminary) and Abbas Chinoy (Muslim Chaplain at Rush Medical Center. See article here.
March, 2011: Discussion about "Labor Rights in Jewish and Muslim Traditions". Facilitated by Rabbi Brant Rosen and Imam Abdul-Malik Ryan.
December 12, 2010: Discussion about "The Role of Youth in Social Chnage". Information about this event: Article | Video | Photo album
May 11, 2010: Jewish-Muslim Discussion about Criminal Justice: Read this good article about the event and see a slideshow.
January 10, 2010: "We are What We Eat? Jewish-Muslim Discussion on Food and Ethics," led by Rabbi Avi Finegold and Imam Abdul Malik Ryan.
October 18, 2009: "Healthcare in Jewish and Muslim Traditions," led by Rabbi Asher Lopatin and Imam Abdul Malik Ryan
March 5, 2009: Sufism and Kabbalah with Dr. Eli Shai Shibi. Dr. Eli Shai Shibi is a cultural critic, has a PhD in Jewish Mysticism from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has a PhD in new Israeli literature from the Negev University. His is currently the visiting scholar of UIC’s Jewish Muslim initiative.
December 11, 2008: Sacred Texts with Imam Abdul Malik Ryan and Rabbi Asher Lopatin.
November 5, 2008: Rabbi Evan Moffic.
August 7, 2008: Materialism with Imam Mongy Elquesny. He has served as the Imam for the Brooklyn mosque for 18 years priorto moving to Indiana and serving as the imam at the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center. The imam has memorized most if not all of the Holy Quran. He is also the vice president of Children of Abraham and a founding board member. He is married with four children.. He went to medical school in Egypt but choose to dedicate his life being an imam.
June 4, 2008: Tzedakah and Zakat with Asaf Bar-Tura and Gerald Hankerson.
May 8, 2008: Similarities and Differences between the Torah and Quran
April 3, 2008: Moses/Musa in Jewish and Muslim Texts
February 28, 2008: Hospitality in Jewish and Muslim Texts
January 24, 2008: Abraham/Ibrahim in Jewish and Muslim Texts
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