Children Abraham meeting notes

August 24, 2006
Mr. Tim Hyatt
7925 Fox Field Drive, NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Dear Mr. Hyatt:
You are invited to take part in an important community gathering on September 11th, 2006.
The tragic events of 9/11, as well as more recent acts of terror - at home and abroad - have and continue to inflict deep wounds on our community: breeding fear, engineering distrust, fueling ignorance.
The Children of Abraham are urging you to take part in a "town hall meeting" of elected officials, civic and religious leaders, corporate executives, and educators, seeking ways to overcome these forces of disintegration, build new bridges of understanding, and strengthen the ties that bind us together as a community. On this coming
September 11th, Jewish-Christian-Muslim interfaith groups will be hosting similar town hall meetings in sixty-three major cities across America. We believe it is imperative that Cedar Rapids affirm its commitment to its community by joining in this nationwide vanguard.
The Children of Abraham are an interfaith coalition committed to engaging in conversation in order to leam about our respective faiths which will lead to actions that promote community well being. Guided by open-mindedness and mutual respect, we will tear down walls of misunderstanding and prejudice - to leam in order to teach, to leam in order to do. We believe that trust is built on relationship, and that relationship demands face-to-face interaction. ""       The Children of Abraham are led by many representatives from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith communities of Cedar Rapids, including Rabbi Aaron Sherman of Temple Judah; Imam Tahal Tawil of the Mother Mosque;
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy of the Muslim-American Society; Carol Berg, President of Global Health Ministries; and
Cedric Lofdahl, producer ofKCRG-TV's Ethical Perspectives on the News. We believe our efforts cannot succeed without the vital input of leadership from the broader Cedar Rapids community.
Our town hall meeting will take place in the Perrine Gallery of Steward Memorial Library at Coe College on the evening of September 11th:
6:00-6:30 PM    Welcome reception with light refreshments
6:30-6:45 PM    Program begins with opening remarks
6:45-7:30 PM    Small group table discussions
7:30-8:00 PM    Plenary sharing of table discussions
PLEASE RSVP TO THE CHAPLAIN OF COE COLLEGE, REV. KRISTIN HUTSON, BY E-MAIL AT
KHUTSON@COE.EDU OR PHONE AT 319-399-8546 by September 6, 2006.
Sincerely,
The Steering Committee for the Children of Abraham
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy
Gary Goldstein
Tim Hyatt
Hassan Igram
Rev. Larry McGuire
Rev. Richard Osing
Sylvia Popelka
Professor Chris Seeman
Rabbi Aaron Sherman
Dr. Robert Silber
Imam Tahal Tawil

Notes for Table 4
Question: What can educators or schools do to promote diversity and build bridges of understanding?
Judith: I'm an adult educator (counselor where she works, but does contract work). Hasn't seen people looking at their own racism.
Jeff: from Marion. There's little understanding. No idea what Judaism is in Marion schools (Linn
Mar). Also some Hindu families in Linn Mar. Needs to be approached (world religions or about religion in community).
Rev. Casey: Starting in terms of these issues, misunderstandings. We hear about the extremists from all religions.
Jeff: people who do the outreach should know what they are doing. Wrong person can harm the situation (teach the teachers).
Dick Osing: Do you think the school systems are sensitive to religious holidays of all?
Jeff: Chanukah minor holiday that gained importance because of Christmas.
Judith: bring people together to discuss diversity, like this.
D.O.: hasn't heard about problems such as in France.
Miriam: diversity begins at home. Bullying is a huge problem for GLBT, but addressing bullying should cover entire spectrum.
Jeff: School systems cover many different faith groups (i.e. Catholic schools). Don't know what goes on in those schools.
Judith: would like to see diversity more holistic. Focus on one thing.
D.O.: natural place for it to be would be in social studies program. Pay attention to food restrictions in school systems.
Rev: Race is a good point. Believes in public school system. Want kids to know similarities, not just differences. Problem: how do you reach all school systems? Want all citizens to have basic grounding in respect and how to treat each other.
Miriam: I'd like to have respect, not have people trying to change me, or enter me into their faith.
Jeff: We have 3-4 generations of Muslims in CR.
Judith: don't give up on the adults.
Miriam: diversity doesn't encompass just religion, but language too.

Jeff: schools can make diversity a source of pride, not shame.
Janie: celebrate differences.
D.O.: CR tolerates well. Rockwell has brought in many people from East India.. .they had problems when they first came to town.
Jeff: people from smaller towns don't have the experience with different cultures.
Solutions
COA: set up committees to expand social studies in schools to study diversity.
Build coalitions with cultural groups, civil rights groups.
Teach foreign languages at the elementary level.
Sit with the educators and see what is being done and what can be done to bolster. — Adult education opportunities for foreign languages and diversity.
Have kids sit down and talk about their experiences in their religious/ethnic group.
Have a cultural festival at each school that represents every religion, ethnic group, etc. (i.e. Walk the
World).

Children of Abraham, September 11th Diversity Meeting
What obstacles exist in our community to promoting diversity and building bridges of understanding? Fear, Ignorance, arrogance, economic imbalance, judgementalism In case you haven't noticed. Cedar Rapids is not very diverse.. .in the traditional sense. Yes we have a large Czech community and other nationalities, mainly European, with some Lebanese/Syrians mixed in, but for the most part, the black community as remained small and only recently have we seen an influx of Hispanic and some refugees from third world countries. Cultural and religious differences do exist, but there can be a narrow mindedness and an unwillingness to get out of ones comfort zone. In other words, diversity is ok as long as it doesn't effect or change my way of life. Bad experiences with people of a certain culture or hearing of such an experiences second hand from someone else can formulate predjudices. A personal experience can re enforce such thoughts. Overcoming misinformation such as stories we have heard growing up or history books from texts that may be biased can only be overcome by seeking the truth. Miss-education, generalization and inaccurate information about a people that may make one question the values of a people We need to foster level of morality which is grounded in right and wrong. The notion of who is inferior and who is superior still exists in society as well as a fear of losing the status quo when we become pluralistic. Again, white society seems to be ok with diversity as long as it doesn't erode then-way of life. In Cedar Rapids, there is a group that lives at a lower economic level, therefore they are suspect. Although some from that community add fuel to the fire by their behavior, some of our best leaders come from this community. Political correctness should remain in the context of respect, but not inhibit open and frank discussion or something is attributed to or labeled as "liberal". The use of epithets can corrupt when taken out of context or used for political gain Diversity and inclusion is everyone's issue. Take the example of sports. Teammates learned to get along with each other for a common goal: winning and success. The behavior of a minority effects the majority, white criminal versus black. We must resist taking the easy way out and generalize. We don't do this (meet) enough; this idea can't be just and add on or a feel good thing, but needs to be a continuous and woven into our society. We need to do this again soon!

1. What can we encourage families to do to promote diversity and build bridges of understanding?
1. A parent can't give what they don't possess. If a parent doesn't have an understanding of diversity, it is difficult for them to foster that in their child. If we can focus on parents as well as children, we can facilitate the process further. Workshops, programs, fairs, etc. can be used to increase awareness.
2. Parents need to see the value of these outreach programs before they will be likely to attend them.
3. Study of other cultures, religions may breach many of the barriers that keep people from not only accepting, but understanding other beliefs.
4. Identify common ground and similarities between people.
5. This is an economic issue, as well. We live in a global culture with a global economy.
6. We find it easy to look directly at solutions. We need to step back to that pre-solution step to identify possible issues which may arise.
7. Parents should be involved in the process. The Suzuki method of teaching music is an example of this - the parent leams along with the child. That environment fosters growth.
8. Promoting opportunities for diverse contact from a young age is a key to this process.
9. Recall that this is work for the parent (or may be perceived as such). Such aspects of diversity awareness-building are reasons why many hesitate to engage in building bridges of understanding.
10. It is not only "one world, one way." Parents should relate to children that there are many world cultures - as such, there are many methods of faith, of living, of working, etc.
11. Children are often naturally open with their minds and hearts. Just mere exposure to children of other faiths can be valuable beyond compare.
12. Make understanding of other cultures personal with relationships. This allows us to embrace diversity on a much deeper level.
13. Leam of other cultures as a family - not just a study session of sorts, but an active participation where members work together to help one another.
14. Understand that people's ancestry, original culture, etc. are often not their choice - this allows us to not categorize by religion or nationality, but to understand each other as fellow human beings.
15. Social activities together can be learning experiences as well (cooking together facilitates talking and understanding, etc.)
16. Cedar Rapids is an ideal area for cultural awareness. There are many diverse communities that reside here.

Summary:
Family interaction is extremely important. This endeavor cannot be performed by focusing solely on children. The entire family must be involved. As individuals, we can pass on our unique experiences and outlooks with one another. In this way, we can understand the issues that are important to various groups and, hence, relate to those groups.

Children of Abraham 12.04.06

In attendance:
Rabbi Aaron
Professor Chris
Gary
Imam Taha
Dr. Bob
Hassan
Tim
Getty and
Diane

The New Website:
1) Mission statement has already been received by web master.
2) Steering Committee members will be listed with individual “alias” email accounts which go to the server and are routed to the individual member without revealing the member’s personal email address.
3) An aol screen name will be set up for general email requests/remarks.
4) The general emails will go to Chris.
5) Web site to include calendar of past events w/ information about event.
6) Links to IRCLC, CU, Temple, both Mosques, MAS Iowa, Christ Episcopal Church
7) Guest Book comments section. Tim will contact Phil Saunders for an entry.
8) News of cooperation.
9) CAIR.org news.
10) Site to include video capability.
11) Press releases page.
12) Regular email goes out to local communities of faith.
13) Upcoming events calendar page.
14) Page for Sisters of Abraham
15) Hassan will design logo of cedar tree.

Retreat at Prairiewoods for Steering Committee and spouses
Saturday, January 20, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Total cost to CoA is $95. Deposit of $50 has already been paid and will be applied toward total.

Breakfast is $4/person additional
Lunch at noon is $6/person additional
Dinner at 5:30 is $8/person additional.
Need final count by January 10, along with special and dietary needs.

Prairiewoods provides at no charge:
TV
VHS player
DVD player
Flip Chart with paper and pens
Bob will bring masking tape if we want to hang paper on walls

RSVP to Dr. Bob; he will send a reminder email before January 10

Agenda:

Gary has a video, Faces of the Enemy, a 1-hour presentation to generate discussion regarding where we may be making enemies.

Dr. Bob has taped Obsessions, a TV program showing anti-Semitic behaviors and how they affect him personally; on a personal note, indeed, they should affect us all personally.

Hassan mentioned that sometimes programs take extreme views out of context. The same use of these words has been discussed by the Imams. Imam Taha would be a good discussion leader to put this in context for us.

Imam Taha added that there needs to be a dialogue on policies to avoid in discussion; we need rules of dialogue.

Hassan continued that there is no question that is off limits. Individuals are responsible to research and make their own decisions. We need to focus on what we have in common.

Tim suggested the retreat needs to start with an ice-breaker, such as where you are from, your first recollection of religion, your first recollection of other religions.

Professor Chris mentioned that the best use of time will be done at a general session. The Steering Committee retreat should be to share our own experiences, such as what do we struggle with? What has caused the world to become as it is?

Gary suggested the retreat start with each person sharing for 10 minutes, then go to a video and discussion; from there develop a series of 10 resolutions concerning critical issues. The Steering Committee needs a time-keeper and a note-taker.

Imam Taha mentioned that the retreat include three things: rules of dialogue (ie not to attach a person, but to attack an issue; to be rational rather than emotional); to talk about stereotypes loud and clear – what we think and what we see; and how the scriptures are used to justify violence.

Professor Chris suggested each topic could be introduced in a general meeting.

Order of Retreat
Ice Breaking, moderated by Tim – 1.5 hours
Philosophy of Dialogue, moderated by Imam Taha
“Faces of the Enemy”, with discussion moderated by Gary; discussion to focus on stereotypes and fears which individuals face.

Lunch

[Break-out session for Sisters of Abraham to discuss women’s issues, moderated by Gen Seeman]

(Optional.) Violence in the Scriptures, moderated by Professor Chris, Imam Taha and Rabbi Aaron

“Obsessions”, with discus
Women rejoin retreat at Dinner

Dinner

Presentation of Women’s Issues from Sisters of Abraham, moderated by Gen
Calendar through June
Top Ten List of things to focus on, such as producing PSAs or asking for more exposure on Ethical Perspectives on the News.

Respectfully submitted,
Diane
Web Co-Master

January 20, 2007 Retreat
Larry McGuire opened the day with prayer.
Thanks to Hassan Igram for the notepads and pens.
Thanks to Tim Hyatt for the expanded agendas with room for note-taking.

"A Different Drum: Community Making," Dr. Scott Peck
"We need to learn to fight gracefully."

A thought:
Tolerance = put up with
vs.
Understand = learn and share

"Our lives are merged with the life stories of other people."

The Philosophy of Dialogue
Taha Tawil
General Plan:
1) Define goals (very hard to what what I want to achieve; with growth it is easier to know the goal.)
2) How to achieve the goal (have others gone before? can I learn from them?)
3) Knowing the difficulties (traces of tangible evidence; study the difficulties)
4) Know your own baggage (build things -- I need to learn more; destroy prejudice and stereotypes; get out of the box)

All humans have needs (without which we will die) and feelings/dreams. We have to slow down and discover more than the label: move deeper into a person's needs and feelings/dreams.
We need to sort out needs from feelings/dreams. Living in the past will take you back to ultra-conservatism. When you recognize we all have needs and feelings/dreams, you can be rid of prejudice.

Six Points of Dialogue
1) Don't attack the person: focus on the issue.
2) Don't use emotion in making the point (i.e. guilting someone into something). Concentrate on the dialogue. Dialogue is not a boxing match.
3) Straw man -- misrepresents the issue.
4) Red herring -- change the subject; don't change the subject until the issue is resolved.
5) Begging the question: don't have assumptions; don't make any decision based on an assumption of the truth; clear issues with each other to avoid misinterpretation.
6) Black or white issues don't exist. Every subject has a solution. Never give up on communication.

Five Core Basics
1) Life
2) Mind
3) Religion
4) Assets
5) Honor

Children of Abraham

February 27, 2007

Website updates:

Resources: book or magazine links; video links, such as Faces of the Enemy (Sam Keen)

Links: other CoA organizations

March Meeting:

Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m.

Mother Mosque of America

1335 9^th Street NW (from Ellis Blvd take L Ave to 9^th Street)

Bring ideas for Common Core Values

Peace and Freedom March:

Monday, April 16

3 to 4 p.m.: open mike at Coe rally

4 to 4:45 p.m.: march to African American Museum where tables will be available for organizations; CoA will have a pamphlet available, including information about website, (about 400) and Gen has volunteered to hand them out. Diane will write copy and check to see if Christ Episcopal can print for free; she will send proof copy to Chris and Tim for approval.

5:30 p.m.: CSPS for refreshments; members of CoA will provide ethnic foods

Know Your Neighbors

Tuesday, April 17

7 to 9 p.m., Coe’s Perrine Gallery

End of March send out press release (Chris’ email is contact); one week prior to press release Diane will send out invitation to all CoA emails; RSVPs required so we know how to set up room (either small group tables or individual chairs in U-shape); RSVPs by email or phone go to Diane and she will let Chris know when we’ve surpassed 60 so he can arrange to get room set up.

Program:

1) What do Moses, Jesus and Muhammad say about our faiths living together in harmony and working together for world peace? (10 minutes each faith; Rabbi Aaron presents Judaism; Diane presents Christianity; Imam Taha presents Islam)

2) Questions from audience.

3) What direction would you like to see CoA go?

Diane John