Breaking Bread and Barriers In many cultures, breaking bread is a sign of unity and a powerful way to break down barriers and promote fellowship between people of different faiths. This year, OTS’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue co-sponsored a number of Iftar feasts with the Gush Etzion-based “Roots” organization, bringing Jews and Muslims together …
Understanding Communities by Visiting Them “As important as our classroom work is, the only way to really understand other communities is to visit them,” says Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen, director of OTS’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity, whose fellows set out to meet people of other faiths and …
Taking Steps Toward Greater Understanding When it comes to building meaningful, respectful relationships and bridging differences, there is no substitute for face-to-face encounters. With this in mind, the 11 current fellows from OTS’s Blickle Institute of Interfaith Dialogue, several of last year’s Blickle Institute fellows, and the current fellows of the Beit Midrash for Judaism …
From “Other” to Brother “Whether or not religion is part of the conflict, it needs to be part of the solution. It’s crucial that we study our sources and build a bridge of religion to encourage peace on both sides,” said Sheikh Khaled Abu Awwad in a conversation with Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen, Director of …
New Cadre of Blickle Fellows Commits to Building Respect among Religious Groups Last year, Ohr Torah Stone launched two new programs, the Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and the Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity, in order to address Jewish perceptions of other religions, engage in research and develop of halakhic materials related to Judaism’s …
FEATURED POST Who Are the Children of God? By Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen | September 30, 2021 Judaism’s teachings about a person’s essence invariably strike a chord among participants at the many interfaith events I attend. The idea that every person is created in the image of God is especially meaningful to them. While this …
FEATURED POST Rosh Hashanah: Closing a circuit of life and love The day’s events threw a Lubavitcher Hasid, a Bedouin soldier, and me together so we could each do some good, and I was sure our encounters weren’t by chance By Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen | September 3, 2021 My wife and I set a …
Bridging Divides in Israeli Society The past year brought tremendous highs and lows for Israel’s interfaith relations. On one hand, Israel signed the Abraham Accords, normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco aptly named for our common ancestor. On the other hand, the country was rocked by the violent riots unleashed …
Dr. Muhammed’s Mezuza and the Talisman of the Angel Raphael By Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen | July 20, 2021 The prophetic vision of the return to Zion includes partnership in the spiritual realm between the Jewish people and the nations of the world. As we witness fulfillment of several elements of prophetic visions in our …
Rabbi: Islamic Movement is sincere about condemning terrorism ‘We must not miss this opportunity to change Arab-Jewish relations,’ says Rabbi Yakov Nagen, a promoter of interfaith dialogue. Yoni Kempinski , April 5 , 2021 Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen, Director of Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue, pushed back against criticism of the inclusion of …
Oped: “If religion is part of the problem, then it must necessarily be part of the solution.”
Oped: “If religion is part of the problem, then it must necessarily be part of the solution.”
