A new program in Philadelphia brings together students from the three Abrahamic faiths: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Middle and high school students from Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy and St. Christopher recently participated in a days-long event where the students had the opportunity to learn about the different faiths and cultures. “They see the similarities and the differences between our faiths,” said Barrack Hebrew Academy teacher Stephanie Raphel, “and there are more similarities than differences.”
The interfaith event was an off-shoot of the Writers Matter Interfaith Initiative where students learn how to write about their feelings and what is happening in their lives. Mary Tremper, St. Christopher’s principal, considers Writers Matter Interfaith Initiative a “real-life education and a great benefit to the students. Our children learn about students from other backgrounds and religions, and they learn to be respectful of other people.”
Middle-school student Brandon Fey attended the event and remarked that he had never met a Jewish or Muslim person before, but that he enjoyed learning about their faith and culture. “We went to the Islamic school and we will go to the Jewish school in April.”
Jose Santiago, who teaches at Al Aqsa, said, “This is important; Islam is about peace and this is a way to get to people to cross over to others and help them understand others and the differences in cultures.”
