Building Bonds of Community | Iftar Celebration with ICHC
Having recently returned from Morocco, I was pleased to learn of the close bonds between the Islamic community and the Jewish community there. Jews have been living in Morocco for over 2500 years. It stands to reason that since the birth of Islam, more than a few of them have been deeply connected to Muslim traditions.
I am delighted to extend an invitation from my friends Saba Siddiqui, Pat D’Amato and Yaser Elmenshawy, leaders and educators at the Islamic Center of Hunterdon County here in Flemington, for us to share in an important Muslim tradition – and we need not travel to Africa.
Or Chadash has been invited again by the members of the ICHC to join them for Iftar on Sunday, August 12 at 7:45 PM at the Three Bridges Fire House. Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast right after Maghrib (sunset) time during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed when the fast is broken.
Please RSVP via email to me absolutely NO later than Wednesday, August 8, and tell me if you will be joining me in this event. Because this is a catered event, there is no need for anybody to bring anything, but we need to know if you are planning on attending so the ICHC can plan accordingly. This event is open to all ages, children and young children are especially welcomed. I hope you will stop by and say hi, stay for a nosh, and meet some of our Muslim neighbors.
Shalom,
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman