In its first major event The Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish Studies brought theologians and diplomats to a daylong conference to initiate dialogue between the often-antagonistic Christian Muslim and Jewish faiths on Nov. 2.
The conference “Finding Common Ground: Reconciliation Among the Children of Abraham was attended by Pepperdine students as well as members of the community, including a group from a Valley Outreach Synagogue in Chatsworth, Calif.
A panel featuring Rabbi Mark Diamond, William Abraham and Imam Muzammil Siddiqi, moderated by Najeeba Syeed-Miller, highlighted the morning session. Following a brief lunch break, the conference resumed with a keynote speech by Rabbi David Wolpe, a professor of Jewish studies at UCLA and author of Why Faith Matters.”
Wolpe who is a cancer survivor discussed the difficulties surrounding maintaining faith in harsh times for followers of all the Abrahamic religions.
“Sometimes we feel full of faith but in an instant we can lose it Wolpe said. There’s so much that seems to argue against faith but in an instant it’s back again.”
Wolpe encouraged acceptance of other faiths and admitting the mistakes of one’s own religion.
“You have to be able to say you’re wrong Wolpe said. Otherwise we have nothing to learn from each other.”
“We all share the same God Wolpe said.
After the rabbi’s address, Israeli General Consul Jacob Dayan and Turkish General Consul Hakan Tekin spoke on controversial faith-based issues in the
Middle East.
Each spoke on the religious freedoms granted in their respective countries. Tekin described the Turkish state, which in spite of a vastly Muslim population remains secular. Dayan discussed the freedom of worship that the state of Israel affords its Arab Muslim and Christian population, which he said makes up 20 percent of Israeli citizens.
There were varying reactions to the speakers from spectators.
It was really refreshing to see here at Pepperdine and in the U.S. in general sophomore Adrian Aurrecoechea said. It’s exactly what the Pepperdine community needs.”
Aurrecoechea was encouraged to attend the conference by his Arabic professor David Simonowitz. Aurrecoechea said he enjoyed the entire conference but believes the session with the Israeli and Turkish consul generals did not fit in with the tone of the day.
“They’re politicians Aurrecoechea said. They’re not exactly theologians.”
Professor Robert Williams who required his international organizations and law class to attend that session during their normal class time was also disappointed with the outcome and said he found the other sessions more stimulating.
“They spoke too diplomatically Williams said.
Tyler Bourke, a senior in Williams’ class, found the panel beneficial.
I appreciated that both of the panelists were really candid about their views Bourke said. They allowed the audience to see both sides.”
Stan Smith who attends Valley Outreach Synagogue was enthusiastic.
“I have always been interested [in inter-faith dialogue] Smith said. I am very impressed by the knowledge of the speakers. We all have to work on [common ground] and learn to accept [our] differences.”
Smith’s wife Carol Smith said she has not always shared her husband’s passion but she came to the conference because she wanted to become
more knowledgeable.
Another member of the Smith’s group Richard Rice was disappointed in the quality of some responses from the Muslim speakers.
“They did not answer the questions Rice said. I found it very disheartening.”
The conference was especially important to senior Omid. Heidari an advocate of a Middle Eastern studies program at Seaver College.
“It’s a great place for the university to start
Heidari said.
Heidari described his upbringing as co-religious as his father is a Muslim of Iranian decent and his mother a Christian. He hopes that the addition of a Middle Eastern studies program at Pepperdine will better explain the political and religious perspectives of those outside the Judeo-Christian tradition.