Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies

Have you visited a place of worship different than your own? How did the experience widen your perspective?
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Some of our Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies Congregational, Teacher and Civic and Nonprofit Fellows visited the Diyanet Center of America Sunday, many of us for the first time.

We learned more about Islam, took in the beautiful campus offerings and tasted delicious foods.

Congratulations to Heather Miller Rubens and all of the inspiring, brilliant women who make up 2026 .

Thank you, Heather, for your leadership, dedication and creative thinking as the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies looks toward our 40th year in 2027.

Enjoy being celebrated 🎖️ tonight! So well deserved!

What is a 'Crusader Mentality?' Do you think it resonates today?

Institute for Islamic, Christian, & Jewish Studies What is a 'Crusader Mentality' and how does it resonate today?

ICJS is delighted that PhD student Jacob Green of the University of Virginia will join the staff for the summer as a graduate student intern. Green's internship at ICJS is made possible by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) new initiative supporting emerging scholars engage with organizations developing the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future.

This summer, ICJS will begin to develop an interfaith benchmark to assess how closely existing AI platforms align with ICJS values when engaging users in interfaith queries and dialogues. Green will help staff begin this important work. Aligned with our organizational mission and values, the benchmark seeks to assess how well various AI platforms able to 1) identify and dismantle religious bigotries and 2) increase interfaith engagement and understanding.

ACLS is pleased to name the inaugural awardees of the Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future: https://bit.ly/4vOeLcc

The program provides practical work opportunities for talented, entrepreneurial PhD students in the humanities and social sciences, and aims to create a pipeline of new leaders knowledgeable about the rapidly changing American religious landscape.

When a theater company in Berkeley, California wanted to respond to antisemitism and Islamophobia in its community, they turned to ICJS.

Shotgun Players and one of its members, Katja Rivera, used ICJS resources to help staff and colleagues better understand how religious bias shows up in everyday life—and why historical context matters when responding to it.

We’re honored to support organizations in Baltimore and beyond as they work to build stronger, more informed communities.

Read the story here:

How One Theater Company Turned to ICJS to Confront Antisemitism and Islamophobia - ICJS When antisemitic comments and activities in the community were plaguing a longtime member of Shotgun Players, a theater company in Berkeley, Calif., artistic company member and director Katja Rivera felt compelled to address the issue—and knew just where to look for resources that could help. “S...

What can you do to help build a multi-religious democracy? Sign up here to find out! https://icjs.org/advancing-hope-dismantling-hate-all-events/

Genocidal Threats Against the Iranian People Violate Human Dignity and International Law

President Donald Trump’s public threat against Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” is dangerous and immoral. The destruction of an entire people is genocide. Collective punishment and the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international law.

Calls for the destruction of civilizations stand in direct opposition to honoring the sacred dignity of every human life, a principle at the core of our religious traditions. We cannot be indifferent and stand idly by, nor can we minimize the seriousness of this moment.

At ICJS, we call on people of faith and conscience to speak out—contact your elected representatives and urge them to protect human life and dignity, to reject collective punishment, and to seek a just and lasting peace.
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/ #
📷Reid Wiseman, NASA

We wish our Christian friends a happy Easter! May this season bring reflection and renewal.

Chag Pesach Sameach from all of us at ICJS. We wish our Jewish friends a peaceful and happy Passover!

We remember and give thanks for the life of Leonard Swidler, a pioneering voice in interreligious dialogue.

At ICJS, our approach has been deeply shaped by his insight that “dialogue is not debate.” For Swidler, dialogue was a practice of listening and learning—entered not to persuade, but to grow in understanding across difference.

That vision continues to guide our work as we seek to build communities where religious difference becomes a force for good. We are grateful for his life and enduring legacy.

Learn more: https://icjs.org/debate-vs-dialogue/

Leonard Swidler was one of the founders of the field of interfaith studies and dialogue. One of his most significant contributions to interfaith work was the "Dialogue Principles." He also founded the Dialogue Institute at Temple University, where he taught for many years.

He passed away peacefully last week at the age of 97.