'We start here with us': Waterloo region interfaith group holds sharing circle as Israel-Hamas war rages on
Interfaith Grand River was launched in 2001 in an effort to bring people of different faiths together
Interfaith Grand River (IGR) held a sharing circle last week where community members of various faiths — including those from the Jewish and Muslim communities — explained how they feel about the Israel-Hamas war, but made a point of leaving politics out of it.
Now, the president of the IGR, Jay Moore, says the group wants to promote more of these conversations within the community locally.
"It was very high-powered, meaningful, enlightening, and we want to carry that spirit of opening up, bringing down barriers, and we have to start with ourselves," Moore said.
"That was essentially the philosophy here. We start here with us, each other. Then what do we do? Now we're talking about how we can promote this in the community more."
IGR was launched in 2001 in response to local, violent hate crimes and in an effort to bring together people of different faiths, Moore said.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified since the deadly civilian attacks in Israel carried out by Hamas on Oct. 7 which killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
Israel has retaliated with attacks into Gaza, limiting humanitarian aid and, more recently, closing in on the Al-Shifa Hospital, since they say Hamas has been operating out of the facility. A claim which Hamas denies.
Over 11,200 Palestinians have died since the start of the war, and the effects of the conflict have been felt locally in the region by both the Jewish and Muslim communities.
The IGR sharing circle last week allowed each member to explain how they felt as a result of the war, but there were no opportunities to reply to what was said — it was all about listening to others, by design. They also offered suggestions about what they thought could be done to make things better.
The concept for the session was decided on by the IGR steering committee's eight members two weeks prior to the session.
"We know we can't do anything about the actual international situation," said Moore. "We can't do anything about some of the things we see and hear in the news, but what can we do right here in our home community? That's our focus."
How they're going to promote these conversations effectively within the community is something they're still figuring out, but Moore says it could be through social media or a newsletter. He's also hoping that members can promote the talks in their respective religious communities.
'Less alone in our pain'
Norm Finkelberg, a member of IGR and Temple Shalom Reform Congregation, said these interfaith conversations focused on feelings and anxieties at this particular moment are important.
"You know, there was pessimism, optimism, hope, hopelessness, anger and sorrow, and shock and horror, and fear and it made us, and myself, certainly feel less alone in our pain," said Finkelberg, who has been with IGR for more than 10 years.
"And by expressing my feelings about the events I felt that people understood me better and received some of the support that I needed as well."
He believes that there could be consequences to not having conversations like this.
"Well, as we know, in this polarized world if you stay in your silo and you're not exposed to other narratives then your opinions and beliefs tend to be reinforced and that can cause division and prevent dialogue from happening," Finkelberg said. "Especially in an area such as Israel-Palestine where the narratives can be so divergent."
Fauzia Wafai, a Muslim member of IGR who was at last week's sharing circle, agrees that there are consequences to not having these types of conversations.
"When you talk to … the people on the other side, [trying] to understand their feelings and emotions, it makes a big difference," said Wafai, who has been with the group for nearly two years.
"And faith is one thing which, if you understand whether people believe and how they follow those beliefs, then it's easier to give them space."
Curbing hate crimes locally
One thing that concerns Finkelberg, among other things, is the rise of anti-semitism. Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Chief Mark Crowell explained that they're actively trying to ensure that hate crimes and violence locally doesn't get any worse.
"We're continuing to work with all of our local community organizations across the local Jewish community, across Muslim led organizations and certainly wanting to instill our sense of partnership, connection and collaboration to ensure that everyone feels supported," Crowell explained at Wednesday's police board meeting.
"Our vision is that every member of this community, every citizen is safe and feels safe, and so we're seeking for as much collective calm as possible and we're supporting events to allow people to display their right to expression; their right to gather and protest and to express their concerns about what is happening globally and we know there are local impacts."
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With files by Carmen Groleau