Abraham sponsored a showing of the movie The Mosque in Paris: A Forgotten Resistance.

During World War II, Muslims in occupied France protected Jews from Deportation to Nazi death camps. The Paris Mosque became a refuge for those hiding from the German occupiers, many of them Jewish children. The mosque’s rector provided false birth certificates “proving” Jews were Muslims. Dr. Annette Herskovits, who survived the holocaust as a child in France thanks to a clandestine rescue network, will present the film and speak about the vital and little know role played by Muslims from France’s colonies in the struggle against the Nazis

Abraham again sponsored Interfaith Services at different congregations.

Abraham sponsored a showing of Knowledge is the Beginning documenting the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which started as a music workshop where young musicians from Israel and the Arab countries of the Middle East could develop their musical skills in an environment of coexistence and cultural enrichment.

Abraham scheduled special worship services, open to the community, specifically designed for people of different faiths to take part in and learn more about the three Abrahamic worship traditions.

Abraham sponsored a Workshop: Peaceful Communication, based on Marshall Rosenberg and Arun Gandhi’s book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

Abraham held a candlelight vigil in Central Park, recognizing the tenth anniversary of Nine-Eleven. Clergy and laity from the three traditions spoke, and the gathering sang rounds of Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us Peace)  in Latin, Hebrew and Arabic. The free event offered support for UNICEF’s work on famine in Africa.

Abraham sponsored “Issues of Church and State Facing Our Multifaith Society,” a talk by Alan Brownstein, Professor of Law, Boochever and Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality, at King Hall, UC Davis.

In addition, Renee Dryfoos from Bet Haverim coordinated Davis Potters for Peace to produce pots sold at the Celebration, and the proceeds were added to the free will offering.

That year, the two organizations receiving the Celebration of Abraham funds focused on building understanding between children and youth who historically see each other as enemies. Seeds of Peace brings youth from all sides of the Middle East conflict to a weeklong summer camp where they learn to build relationships across their differences. reGeneration is an interfaith educational nonprofit. One of its programs is Ein Bustan, the first intercultural Jewish-Arab Waldorf school in Israel.

Finally, the Celebration also organized an interfaith social justice fair of groups working on justice issues so that participants could learn about and connect with other groups working on issues of Justice. Both before and after the Celebration, participants visited booths representing,

• Davis Community Meals
• Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter
• Yolo Conflict Resolution Center
• Phoenix Coalition

Celebration of Abraham Commentary in the Davis Enterprise, “We must all stand up and say, “Not in my country” condemning the rise in violence by religious extremists of all faiths.

Abraham organized an interfaith pledge committing signatories from many Davis congregations to support an inclusive community based on equality, justice, honoring, and protecting rich diversity.

The Celebration of Abraham began offering the Celebration of Abraham Women’s Teas.

Celebration of Abraham sponsored “Living with Religious Diversity: Walking our faith and sharing a meal.”

Before assembling at Bet Haverim to hear Rabbi Wolfe and begin the walk, participants dropped off potluck offerings at the Davis United Methodist Church. Participants walked from Congregation Bet Haverim to the Davis Islamic Center and United Methodist Church for the final presentation and to share the potluck and table talk.

Abraham sponsored a candlelight vigil against rising anti-Semitic hate.

The Celebration of Abraham also worked with Congregation Bet Haverim and held a “Service of Healing and Hope” after the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh. The name of each of the eleven people who died in the massacre was said, and a candle was lit in their memory. Faith leaders offered words of comfort to those gathered.

Feast of Fellowship in Central Park.