2007-08 Abraham’s Vision Unity Program Embarks on First Field Trip and Inter-School Meeting

This month has been a busy one for our students at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School and Al Iman School. On Monday, October 1st students from both schools met to experience one another’s religious rites and practices while on a joint field trip to the Rockwood Park Jewish Center and the Al Iman School. This was the first time that both groups were able to experience the overlap of the holy months of Tishrei and Ramadan. Rabbi Berkowitz (RPJC) welcomed the students into their communal Sukkah, which was described as a miniature representation of the huts that Moses and the Biblical Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert. New York City Councilman Joseph Addabbo joined the discussion and spoke about the importance of youth activism.

The students then headed to the Al Iman School, where they observed Muslim congregational prayers and shared Iftaar (breaking the fast). The conversations focused on the significance of fasting in Islam, why some Muslim women wear a hijab (headscarf), and the importance of keeping kosher. You can view additional photos from the fieldtrip by checking out the Unity Program weblog, found on our website.

In addition to the field trip, on October 16th students had their first all-day inter-school meeting, which took place at Columbia University. Led by our Senior Facilitator Ahmad Amara and our Co-Facilitator Dror Post, students engaged in various inter-group exercises aimed at creating a safe space to explore individual and collective identities.