By Walter Ruby
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) will kick off our 3rd Annual Weekend of Twinningsm of Mosques and Synagogues Across North America and Europe on the weekend of November 5-7, 2010. We are moving the Weekend of Twinningsm up a week, just as we did in 2009, so that the main event will take place two weeks before the hajj; thereby allowing our Muslim friends who will be making the hajj to take part in the Weekend of Twinningsm Those participating congregations who have scheduling conflicts on the weekend of November 5-7 are welcome to hold their event on either of the following three weekends.

We have received the results of the 2nd Annual Weekend of Twinningsm Topline Survey Analysis, which was conducted for FFEU by the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE) at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to access participants' perceptions of the just completed Weekend of Twinningsm. The survey, which was based on the responses of North American participants in the 2nd Annual Weekend of Twinningsm , established that both Muslim and Jewish participants deemed the event to be a success. The survey also contains important data which gives us solid direction for improving Weekend of Twinningsm programming in the years to come. Here are some of the main results:

Of the 54 people who responded to the survey (23 Muslim. 29 Jewish and 2 identified as ‘Other’), 100 percent of the respondents indicated they would be interested in participating in a future Weekend of Twinningsm event. Many participants indicated success in relationship building and/or in participants’ enthusiasm to engage in similar future programs. Responses included:

· “The participants LOVED all of the events and clearly asked for MORE such programs to continue the process of building a comfort level and friendship with each other.”
· “All programs went very well- commitment to continue together”
· “We had great enthusiasm from the participants and many asked when the next event was to be held.”
· “It is such a worthwhile initiative for changing relationships for the better.”
· It was honest, yet respectful, and a full commitment to continue on a regular basis with our shared agenda
· (There was) tremendous enthusiasm about text study and relationship-building together

The Weekend of Twinningsm events across North America included a wide variety of programmatic activities; including holding formal dialogues (57.1%), shared meals (45.2%), lectures (40%), text study (21.4%), community service projects (14.3%) and films (9.5%).

We were profoundly encouraged that 90.7 percent of the respondents said they plan to hold follow-up events and meetings between now and next year’s Weekend of Twinningsm and that 55.6 percent said they plan to undertake social action projects. We will be contacting many of you in the weeks ahead to see what you are doing in terms of follow up and planning for this year’s event.

36% (16 of 45 respondents) listed community action as one of their objectives in participating in the 2nd Annual Weekend of Twinningsm. By comparison, 80% of respondents identified “building personal relationship between members of Muslim and Jewish communities” as one of their objectives, and 80% also identified one of their primary interests as

“educational; to inform members of the Jewish and Muslim communities.”
Relationship building and educating our respective communities have been core objectives of the Weekend of Twinningsm since FFEU launched the event in 2008. We were encouraged that more than one third of respondents listed community action as one of their objectives; thereby confirming our belief that Muslim Jewish community action projects will be a richly rewarding experience for all involved that can greatly strengthen the relationship between the two communities.
Of those who listed the community action initiatives they are pursuing, 41% focused on combating Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, while 27% indicated that they are focused on “fighting poverty.”[1] Others indicated that they are focused on pursuing peace or fighting hunger. None of the respondents indicated that they plan to focus on the other two areas, Immigration Reform and Healing the Environment.

25 respondents indicated a desire to partner with each other’s congregations outside the Weekend of Twinningsm event; specifically on a community action project. 18 were undecided and 2 indicated no desire. This is clearly an area for expansion going forward with a focus on combating Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and on fighting poverty. We also encourage twinned congregations to emulate a step taken in Buffalo, N.Y. by organizing groups of Jewish and Muslim doctors who came together to offer free health screenings to people without health insurance.

The survey indicated that the largest percentage of participants were working professionals (ages 35-65); followed by young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s; retirees (over 65); and finally, college age students and youth, We urge participating congregations to make a greater effort to involve their youth groups in the Weekend of Twinningsm; as we reach out to more Hillels and Muslim Student Associations on campuses across the country.

Participants reported a smooth experience planning their Weekend of Twinningsm programs, but some indicated difficulty with pre-event logistics. Of those who did indicate difficulties, most identified issues in pre-weekend planning: lack of advertising, difficulty in establishing partners, scheduling conflicts, and other logistical issues.

While 80% of respondents indicated that their twinning event had an educational objective; namely “to inform members of the Jewish and Muslim communities about the practices/religion/ history and culture of each other,” many said they do not have sufficient educational resources to undertake this effort. Indeed, 42% of respondents listed obtaining needed educational resources as a top priority, followed by 31.7% desiring dialogue/facilitation training and 22% desiring program assistance. Of those interested in receiving educational materials, 70% of respondents indicated interest in receiving comparative holy texts. 50% indicated interest in culture-based materials and 36% indicated interest in receiving history based materials.

FFEU hopes to facilitate the availability of materials and is now in discussion with CMJE on strategies for best undertaking that effort. We will be in touch with you regarding this effort.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey which is enormously helpful to us in planning the 3rd Annual Weekend of Twinningsm of Mosques and Synagogues Across North America and Europe, as well as to support twinned congregations who will be hosting events and social action projects in the months before next November. We need your continued feedback and involvement to ensure the continued success of the Weekend of Twinningsm as well as its improvement. Your ongoing input has allowed this program to expand and to benefit communities across the globe and we thank you.

Best Wishes,
Walter Ruby
Muslim-Jewish Relations Program Officer
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
917 294-1772