Interfaith Dialogue Toward Peace by Piece
Weber School hosts religious communities to increase understanding and empathy among Jews, Muslims and Catholics.
The Weber School recently hosted 30 students of different faiths in its “Peace by Piece” event Sept. 27 for 10th through 12th-graders. Under the auspices of the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, Weber hosted Muslim students from the W.D. Mohammed School and Catholic youth from the Marist School.
In its 18th year at Weber, Peace by Piece aims to open and sustain interfaith dialogue and understanding among Jews, Catholics and Muslims through a series of school visits and activities. This year, Weber scheduled the Peace by Piece visit during Sukkot to share the festive and tangible symbols of the season of renewal.
In addition to decorating the sukkah, Weber guests participated in a Shacharit prayer service during which the Torah was read; learned about the symbols of the High Holidays; heard the shofar blasts; participated in a symbolic Tashlich service at the stream near the school; and had a panel discussion to answer questions about Judaism.
After a falafel lunch, the full day of activities and connections ended with Israeli dancing outside on The Green. The next visits will be to Marist on Ash Wednesday and to Mohammed, where the group will participate in the Friday community Jumah.
At Peace by Piece, members meet to learn about each other’s faiths through conversation and coordinated school visits. In addition, there are international conferences, social action days and other events the groups plan together each year. Committed to interfaith dialogue, Peace by Piece members are selected through essay applications each spring for their comfort with engaged and animated discussions and willingness to challenge common stereotypes.
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