Chapter One: Introduction to Jewish-Muslim Relations

This chapter explores the rationale upon which the Unity Program is based. Students will first explore some basic theories of “dialogue” work and begin exploring the nature of the Jewish-Muslim relations, examining some of the underlying reasons for a joint study of Jewish and Muslim religious traditions and communities. This will include an introduction to the concept of Jewish-Muslim relations, among others.

Chapter Two: Islam, Judaism and Comparing Religious Traditions

This chapter examines the relationship between Judaism and Islam through a lens of comparative religions. Students will begin addressing some of the challenges involved in the comparative process, and will then briefly study some of the theories in the study of religion (e.g., Ninian Smart, J.Z. Smith, Paul Tillich).

Chapter Three: Islam 101

This chapter will be an intensive introduction to Islam, during which students will learn about the historical development of Islam and the primary Muslim sects and holidays. Students will learn about the Prophet Muhammed and his role in the emergence of Islam (i.e., the Hijra and the immediate generation following his death), the development of Shi'i/Sunni movements (i.e., their historical origins as well as their contemporary manifestations), the role of the Qur'an, the role of Hadith, the role of Shari'a, the role of Sunnah, the development of the Islamic calendar and the major Islamic holidays, and a focus on the Ja'fari Shi'i tradition. This chapter will also deepen students' understanding of the Five Pillars of Islam by focusing on an in-depth study of the Shahadah, Salat, Ramadan, Zakah, and the Haj. Further, students will look at specific issues such as the practices of wearing a hijab and eating according to the standards of Halal.

Chapter Four: Judaism 101

This chapter will be an intensive introduction to Judaism, during which students will learn about the historical development of Judaism and the primary Jewish denominations and holidays. Students will learn about the biblical Hebrews, various perspectives on the canonization of the Torah, the role of the Mishnah and Talmud, the development of different ethnic traditions (i.e., Ashkenzim, Sephardim, Mizrahim, Middle Eastern Jews, Indian Jews, etc.), the development of modern movements (i.e., Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox), and the development of the Jewish calendar and major Jewish holidays. This chapter will also deepen students' understanding of the concept of Halachah as well as different perspectives within Judaism regarding such issues as 'who is a Jew'. Students will also look at the issue of modesty (tziniut) and the practice of eating according to the standards of Kashrut.

Chapter Five: Judaism, Islam, and Comparing Sacred Texts

This chapter explores Judaism and Islam via a thematic approach, comparing sacred texts regarding Creation and the characters Abraham, Hajar, Isaac, Ishmael, and Sarah. This will give students the opportunity to see the similarities and differences between how the Torah and Qur’an approach these sacred ideas.

Chapter Six: Islamic and Jewish History

This chapter explores a selection of important historical points of contact between Jewish and Muslim communities. Students focus on medieval relations in Al Andalus, paying particular attention to the notion of non-Muslims' dhimmi (protected) status and points of interaction between Jews and Muslims, including a critical scholarly analysis of historical events such as the pact of Omar. This chapter will also look at how each of these communities engaged in cross-cultural exchanges with the 'other', using case examples related to various expressions of art.

Chapter Seven: Challenges to Jewish-Muslim Relations

This chapter explores the rationale upon which the Unity Program is based, complementing Chapter One in particular. However, contrary to Chapter One this chapter will explore challenges to contemporary Jewish-Muslim relations in the United States, thereby going deeper than our introductory chapter. In addition, we will look at the complex relationship between religion and politics, examining theorists on religious nationalism such as Anthony Smith, and analyzing points of overlap such as the use of symbols, paying attention to how these topics relate to Muslim-Jewish relations. We will also examine various attitudes espoused by Jewish and Muslim organizations and communities regarding the intersection of religion and politics, paying particular attention to how this intersection manifests in societal realpolitik.

Chapter Eight: Leadership and the Future of Jewish-Muslim Relations

This unit will attempt to draw together the students' experiences over the course of the year, with a focus on how to translate these experiences into tangible actions for student-leaders, both inside and outside of these two communities. An emphasis on the literature of leadership will be brought in as a vehicle through which to reflect and move the students forward, ensuring that students will find ways to use their experiences in interfaith dialogue, conflict transformation, and leadership training to enrich their own religious identities and share with others what they have learned. Part of this chapter will give students scenarios to analyze, asking them to role-play how they would address these problematic situations.

Chapter Nine: Inter-group Encounters in Theory and Practice

This chapter will explore the theoretical underpinnings of the course. Now that students have studied and participated in an intensive inter-group encounter, students will learn about some of the various theories upon which this field is based.

Appendix: Additional Resources

This Appendix will have various texts and lessons, approaching such themes as forgiveness, human rights, inter-communal agreement and disagreement, intra-communal agreement and disagreement, peace, reconciliation, and war.