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The Israel Interfaith Association is an
independent organization that has been
working since its inception in the year 1959
throughout the country to promote understanding and
mutual respect between all the sects, religions, and
ethnic groups within Israel. It
aims are the uprooting of antiquated notions and the
elimination of suspicions in
order to pave the way for trust and mutual outreach.
It also stands at the forefront
defending attacks on human rights based on
individuals' religious or ethnic identities,
beliefs or lifestyles. The members of the
association see ideals of promoting an
atmosphere of tolerance and brotherhood between the
religions and cults as a super--
political and super-party interest, above and beyond
divisions and opposition among
individuals and groups. They see activity in this
area as a practical way to actualize
the principles of equality between civilians,
freedom of religion and consciousness as
promised in the Declaration of Independence, and moral-humanistic
ideas found in
the different religions, as well as a way in which
the various religions can contribute
to the formation of a true peace -- peace between
human beings.
Members
of the association work towards fulfilling their goals through
educational, social, and cultural activities. The
association organizes lectures, study
sessions, social gatherings, conventions and
conferences throughout Israel, and
publishes various advertisements in several
languages. The association also initiates
seminars and workshops, as well as research programs
in different fields with the
participation of experts. Similarly, visits between
the different branches and study
outings are conducted. The association tries as much
as possible to support
educational and cultural projects that are meant to
help advance human relations
within Israel, particularly between Arabs and Jews.
The
association functions in coordination with similar groups and organizations,
and with government and public officials. The
association has ties with similar
organizations around the world that work towards
interfaith understanding within
their countries and worldwide, and with centers
around the globe that are interested in
this field. Representatives of the association
participate in interfaith dialogue at
international forums conducted worldwide, and
contribute to the promotion and
advancement of the field. The association is a
member of the "International Council
of Christians and Jews", and its members
participate in activities run by the
"International Jewish Committe for Interfaith
Ties," as well as the activities of the
committees that represent some of the great
Christian institutions. The association
initiates and hosts international conferences,
conventions, and seminars in Israel, and
sends representatives and delegations to participate
in seminars and conferences
around the world. Members of the association meet
and host people of the clergy,
spiritual leaders, and educators who visit Israel.
They counsel and guide the visitors,
and organize learning and study programs for them.
Within this framework, they
attempt to strengthen their ties with Asians and
Africans who know almost nothing
about Israel, Judaism, and the spiritual world from
which the three Abrahamistic
religions draw the foundations of their beliefs.
Most of the Christian visitors are
initially familiar to a greater degree with Judaism
and and the Jewish people in
historical and religious perspective, and learn to
appreciate the roots of Christianity in
the Jewish tradition and the Holy Land. Jewish
visitors learn to better understand the
other two Abrahamistic religions, and their long
histories in this region. They all
work hard to understand the commonalities, and to
pave the way for a life together
based on openness and trust, despite the
differences, and yet without ignoring the
difficulties.
Members of the association see their activities as serving an important
function in
shaping the human, social, and cultural image of the
State of Israel, and in building
peace -- on the human, real-life level -- between
Israel and its neighbors.
The
association is open to members of all religions and cults in Israel. Its
members
include Jews, Christians, Muslems and Druze, from
both sides of the "Green Line."
According to its parameters, anyone is permitted to
join, regardless of race, gender,
religion or nationality. Any member of the
association may be voted for or into its
institutions. To date, the association has branches
in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, and
Nazareth, and its members are active in the Galilee
as well as in the South. The
association cooperates with Jewish-Arab community
centers and encourages the
formation of similar centers, particularly in mixed
areas.
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