7ixi4y) he/pecl gife a 4,..)colan .64e.e her- aSfley to speak, and fire 6.01, eo coach my Son .5 soccer ter. sow made 1.4)e/conie fty drea Ai Faithful Interplay Is religion good for peace? Jerusalem T As for which Muslims participate, and just how much sway they have over their constituencies, locally or abroad, Weissman admits that until now, the Muslims who participated in ICCI activities and the recent conven- tion are unsurprisingly moderate in their views, including sheikhs, imams and Sufi scholars. Still, she adds, "Most of the Israeli population in Israel is what we would call 'religiously influenced' — haredi, modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, traditionalists of all kinds," she says. "The part that is radically secular or atheist is really very small — exactly as it is on the other side, in the Arab Muslim society. For me it was clear that the Oslo Accords, for exam- ple, were agreements made by the minority Israeli secular sector with the minority Palestinian secular sector, in which there was no place made for the different expression of the faiths we have on both sides." he International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ) will for the first time be headed by a woman. Dr. Devorah Weissman, a former professor of Jewish education at Hebrew University; has since the 1980s been a member of the ICCJ. A modern Orthodox feminist, Weissman is a member of the dov- ish religious group Netivot Shalom, and for years headed the Dr. Weissman Kerem Institute for Teacher Training for Humanistic-Jewish Education. Last week, the ICCJ, of which the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI) is a branch, held its first annual convention in Israel. Weissman believes her election to the position is not the most important issue at stake. Instead, she highlights Shifting Dialogue the question of whether religion has a For years, the ICCI , like the ICCJ, has largely radicalizing influence or a posi- focused its activities on encounters tive impact on the relations between between Jews and Christians. But of people. In other words, late, that focus has is religion good or bad "We place inter- begun to shift to for peace? include dialogues The main topic of with Muslims. faith dialogues this year's convention, "It's not that attended by 160 partic- in the framework we don't have any ipants from around the more issues to world and Israel, is the of the search for discuss among contribution of Jewish- us [Jews and Christian-Muslim dia- peace. Christians]; but logue to peacemaking it is clear to us, in the Middle East. Jews and Israelis, "There are many - Devor ah Weissman that the issue of groups and organiza- dialogue with our tions that deal with the Arab and Muslim issue of interfaith dialogue explains neighbors has become a kind of emer- Weissman. "But at the ICCI, and that gency," explains Weissman. was one of [founder and head of ICCI] "And just think: In the religious Rabbi Ron Kronish's ideas, we place dialogue between Judaism and Islam, these dialogues in the framework of there are practically no unforeseen the search for peace. We're not inter- obstacles as compared to the theologi- ested in interfaith dialogue per se, but cal conflicts we had, and in some way as a means to develop and advance still have, with Christianity',' she adds. peace among people who share some- "Although we should not and could thing important in common: religious not give exclusivity to the religious faith:' dialogue when we try to advance the peace process, we shouldn't ignore it," Interactive she continues. "It has to be an impor- The ICCI organizes many encounters and dialogues with Muslims. Faithful on page A26 Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital is building a new standard of care from the ground up. This is your opportunity to shape not only your career, but also what the future of health care will look like. Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital has opportunities for: 108298 CRNA 108299 Registered Nurse CDU 108300 Registered Nurse ICU 108301 Registered Nurse LDRP 108302 Registered Nurse Special Care Nursery 108303 Registered Nurse Pre-Admin. Services 108304 Registered Nurse Pre-Op PACU 108305 Registered Nurse OR 108306 Registered Nurse OR - Laser 108319 Registered Nurse Case Manager The Henry Ford Experience: • Competitive benefits and pay • Continuing education opportunities • Flexible schedules • Patient-directed care model • Located in the heart of West Bloomfield Henry Ford Health System is an AMEE0 employer. FREE,'R ug- Cleaning The Original Since 1939 HAGOPIAN CLEANING SERVICES Drop Off Your Oriental / Area Rugs at any Original Hagopian Rug Care Center and we'll clean every other one FREE 24 Hour Water and Fire Damage Response In Home Cleaning Specials 5 2 Rooms* of Carpet cleaned Rooms* of Carpet cleaned Sofa. or 7' 2 Chairs* cleaned 10999 5999 5999 Expect the best...Expect the purple truck! *Some restrictions apply We're Your Leather Cleaning Specialists 1-800-IIAGOPIAN (424-6742) Rug Care Centers Oak Park Novi Birmingham 8 Mile W / Coolidge 12 Mile & Novi Rd S. Old Woodward N 14 1/2 Ann Arbor The Courtyard Shops July 10 2008 A25