http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067767.html
Jewish World / Can U.S. Muslims and Jews work together to change the
world?
By Haaretz Service and Leadel.NET
Tags: marc scheier, leadel.net
Rabbi Marc Schneier, a leading figure in interfaith dialogue, is
optimistic that the U.S. Jewish community will one day share a bond with
Muslims as strong as its historical relationship with African Americans.
In this exclusive interview with Leadel.NET, Schneier characterizes
black-Jewish relationship as "clearly one of cooperation."
Schneier has spearheaded cooperation between the two minority groups,
alongside Russell Simmons, his good friend and partner in the African American
community.
While Jews were prominent in the civil rights movement, their ties with
the black community soured following the assassination of Reverand Martin
Luther King, Jr. Nevertheless, Schneier says, the bond has strengthened again
over the last decade and a half.
"We understood our responsibility to speak out against the injustices of
racism and discrimination," Schneier says in reference to the major role played
by Jews in the civil right movement.
The fact that 78 percent of Jews voted for President Barack Obama
demonstrates that the American Jewish community finds it important to maintain
a strong relantionship with African Americans, Schneier said.
He adds that such a relationship is "deeply rooted in social
consciousness of American Jewish community because of the role played in the
civil rights movement," noting that now, an African American and a Jews are
"the most important people in the White House."
This is the fifth edition of Leadel.NET'S 'Living the Vision' series on
The Jewish World.
Visit Leadel.NET for more online interviews with Jewish leaders.
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