The Abrahamic Reunion
The Abrahamic Reunion is a unique group of religious and lay leaders who work for peace in Israel/Palestine. Members of the group represent the four monotheistic faiths of the Middle East – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Druze religion. The AR includes both women and men, and it includes ordinary people of faith as well as spiritual leaders of high standing. CRT president Andrea Blanch is a founding member of the Abrahamic Reunion. CRT provides ongoing financial and administrative support for AR activities.
Their first appearance, at the Parliament of Worlds Religions in Barcelona in July, 2004, was a radical departure from traditional interfaith dialogue. Instead of discussing differences and similarities, they did spiritual practices together. Instead of arguing theology, they focused on devotion to one God. They overcame concerns about women working with men, different names for God, and different forms of prayer. Many who witnessed this event never imagined such a thing was possible. A year later, when they met again in Istanbul, they were ready to move into action. They made a commitment to each other, wrote a mission statement, and developed a program.
The AR meets several times a year, taking their message of hope and peace to Arab and Israeli towns and villages where interfaith activities are unheard of. Their program is simple but profound. They host a meal, have discussion, share prayers, tell stories about interfaith activities, teach the skills of peacebuilding, and take a public walk together. Gatherings draw men and women from all walks of life. For many participants, it is the first time they have experienced religious Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze interacting in friendship and harmony.
The individuals in the Abrahamic Reunion are deeply immersed in the practices of their own spiritual traditions, but they find no conflict between their own beliefs and respect for the beliefs of others. In the five years since their initial meeting, the AR has become a family, a support group, and a force for change. Deep friendships have developed between members, their spouses and in some cases, their children. The work they have done together has changed each peacemaker just as surely as it has changed the people who have met them. A global network has formed with supporters from Europe, the United States, Canada, Turkey, Australia and India.
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