Brenda Rosenberg is dedicated
to working locally and globally
to mend interfaith relations.
Harry Kirsbaum
Contributing Writer
A
mong the 300 dignitaries who
attended the opening of the
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz
International Center for Interreligious
and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in
Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 26 was Brenda
Rosenberg, a fashion consultant from
Bloomfield Hills who has fought for inter-
faith and intercultural dialogue since the
tragedy of 9-11.
Heralded by some, criticized by others,
the former vice president of fashion mer-
chandising and marketing for Federated/
Allied department stores has traveled the
world and rubbed shoulders with the rich
and famous. "I even dined in Monaco with
Prince Rainier, in Milan with Versace,
partied at Regine's in Paris with Bernard
Lanvin and at Studio 54 with Bill Blass,"
she said.
The horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001,
affected her deeply and motivated her to
act.
"I thought, 'What if I could take my
creativity, energy, marketing and mer-
chandizing skills and use them to help
heal the pains of old and new prejudices
and misconceptions between cultures and
religions?"' she said. "I knew anti-Semi-
tism would be on the rise [after 9-11]. My
primary focus would be on building a new
relational architecture between Jews and
Arabs, including Christians. I also work
with Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists:'
Her role in interfaith dialogue comes
in three parts — builder of partnerships,
facilitator of deeper levels of understand-
ing and caring, and implementer of spe-
cific actions to create change.
"In 2013, my focus will be working on
8 January 31 • 2013
JN
Above: Brenda Rosenberg, Dr. Mazen Mtabkani, researcher in Orientalism, Saudi
Arabia; Archbishop Gregorios Johanna Ibrahim, Aleppo, Syria; Grand Mufti of Tripoli
and Northern Lebanon Sheik Malek al-Shaar; Dr. Abdullah Bin Fand Al-Luhaidan,
adviser to Minister of Islamic Affairs and professor of political science at King
Saud University, Saudi Arabia; and Fand Abdallah Al Ajlan, deputy editor AI-Jazirah
newspaper, Saudi Arabia.
college campuses, both in America and
Israel, within conflict paradigms to decon-
struct the conflict narratives and focus the
actions of those with leadership potential
toward constructive activities — creating
partnerships across divides that can ben-
efit both sides in conflict:' she said.
"Brenda does not sit idly by:' said
Kari Alterman, local American Jewish
Committee director. Rosenberg serves as
a local AJC board officer. "Her incredible
dedication to interfaith work has taken
her across the globe — from Dubai, to
Jordan, to Israel, to Vienna. She is invited
because of her passion and seriousness for
the work at hand, and for her ability to get
things done:'
Left: Brenda
Rosenberg; Aziz Abu
Sarah, Palestinian
owner of MEJDI
duel narrative
tours to the Middle
East; Hawa Noor,
University of Nairobi,
communication
and peace building
specialist, African
Council of Religious
Leaders-Religions for
Peace
Making Differences Count
Rosenberg created the Tectonic Leadership
Center for Conflict Transformation and
Cross Cultural Communication in 2011
with Arab Muslim co-founder Samia
Bahsoun of New Jersey, after they met in
2009.
"Most interfaith dialogue and peace
groups focus on discussing common-
alities:' Rosenberg said. "Our Tectonic
Leadership focus is on talking about our
differences, deepest fears, both conscious
and unconscious, and conflicting beliefs
that lead to conflicting interests:'
Her other interfaith projects have
included the Reuniting the Children
of Abraham Toolkit for Peace and the
Children's Peace Book, which she calls
"wonderful first steps that continue to
connect individuals and communities:'
"Unfortunately, there are still so many
people who are disconnected and have
never met someone they consider an other,
a stranger or even their enemy:' she said.
And she has faced criticism for her out-
reach.
"I feel I walk on dental floss between
the communities:' she said. As a Jewish
woman who cares deeply for our Jewish
community and is passionate about Israel's
survival, I had no idea what I see as bridge
building would be seen as controversial,
nor did I ever anticipate the severe criti-
cism I have received.
"I thought I would get hugs from our
community, but along with some hugs I
have received threats and have been spit
on. Some Jews call me naive to call for
cease-fire, and some of my Arab friends
think I am way too soft on Israel:'
Crediting her husband, Howard, for sup-
port, Rosenberg said, "Keeping friendships
on both sides of the divide has taken dar-
ing, stubborn determination and a clear
vision that our hope for peace depends on
maintaining all relationships and, most
importantly, creating new ones:'
Victor Begg, chairman emeritus of the
Michigan Muslim Community Council,
said he gets the same amount of criticism
from his community
All of us who want peace and reconcili-
ation face criticism:' said Begg, who has
partnered with Rosenberg in interfaith
relations since 9-11. "We need to do more
work, need better organization and fund-
ing to get our critical message out:'
Abdulaziz Center
According to its website, "The KAICIID
Center was founded to enable, empower
and encourage dialogue among followers
of different religions and cultures around
the world:'
The board of directors represents