When I signed up to be part of ICJS’s Congregational Leaders Fellowship (CLF), I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the core beliefs and practices of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. I had read articles and attended lectures, and I have a few Jewish friends, some more religious than others.
I’ve come to realize that I actually did know a fair amount about each of these faith traditions. But the time I’ve spent in the CLF has made me aware of a significant gap in my understanding of both Judaism and Islam. Before now, I have never actually heard firsthand from a Jewish or Muslim believer what their faith experience was like and what it meant to them. This has been a valuable part of my experience in the fellowship.
The presentation about Islam by ICJS Muslim Scholar Zeyneb Sayilgan moved me in ways I could not have anticipated. As she shared about her experience growing up in a Muslim family and embracing that faith for herself, it was apparent that her faith practices had brought her much peace and guidance. Her description of how the Qur’an was used by practicing Muslims was especially eye-opening for me. I was impressed to learn how many Muslims commit to memorizing the Qur’an in its entirety, an act of devotion that is even more impressive now that I know the Qur’an is only memorized in Arabic, even in non-Arabic speaking countries.
Zeyneb told us about the soothing effect the recitation of the Qur’an had on Muslims, to the point that recordings were sometimes played in places where anxiety levels are high, such as hospitals and operating rooms. She also pointed to the unifying value of the Qur’an for Muslims. No matter how many or how few Muslims gather together, and regardless of their places of origin, they all recite the Qur’an in unison since they all know it in Arabic. A photo of thousands of Muslims gathered for that purpose sparked my imagination as I envisioned what a powerful experience it would be to be part of that crowd of worshippers. Zeyneb’s love for the Qur’an, her appreciation for its beauty, and the ways it drew her to worship are impressions that have remained with me.
In many of the same ways, ICJS Jewish Scholar Benjamin Sax’s presentation on Judaism and the Torah gave me new insights into the role the Torah serves in that community. For instance, I did not know that all the rabbinic interpretations and debates about the meaning of the Torah were preserved, whether they were accepted or rejected by the rabbinic community. It gave me a sense for the breadth of history contained in the Jewish tradition and the awe-inspiring experience of entering into a conversation that has been ongoing for thousands of years.
I had the opportunity to worship at Beth Israel Congregation and see first hand the beautifully hand-written Torah that is housed in that synagogue. The Torah was a work of art and the sung reading was beautifully done. Rabbi Rachel Safman described for those of us who were visiting from ICJS how difficult the Torah readings were for the congregants who participated in the service. They each devote time in the prior week checking the pronunciation of the text and practicing the oral presentation in order to honor the text.
The Congregational Leaders Fellowship has opened my eyes to the value of learning about other faiths from people who are devoted followers of that faith. I am grateful for this insight and hope to continue learning through the new and diverse friendships I’ve formed during my time in the fellowship. I will also be more alert to opportunities that arise to ask people about what is most meaningful to them in their own faith, even as I continue to reflect on my own answers to that question.
Debbie Schmidt is a member of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church and was a member of the 2024 ICJS Congregational Leaders Fellowship. Learn more about the ICJS Congregational Leaders programs here.
Opinions expressed in blog posts by the ICJS Congregational Leader Fellows are solely the author’s. ICJS welcomes a diversity of opinions and perspectives.