Jews I think you should be a little bit more.....?

Question

sociable so that others understand that you are good people and you have a great religion.
I really get pissed off when I see an answer that insults any of the three major religions. I am a Muslim and I too suffer from the same problem that you guys suffer from. If we have got some bad people in our "group", others consider us all bad ;this is weird.
People don't want to understand that not all Jews are zionists and they don't want to admit that there are good zionists.
Also non-muslims don't want to understand that not all muslims are terrorists. I really condemn terrorism and unfortunately I can not do anything about that alone. Islam also condemns terrorism and suiside bombing but those extrimists who calim to be muslims and bomb people in the name of their religion are that first 'enemies to Islam'

I am saying that because most of my neighbors are Jews (It is in Ottawa) and I've never spoken with any of them. I really would like to have a jewish friend but I am afraid...

that they reject me. They are frowining all the time and they never smile to anybody because they think everybody hates them.

I am a Muslim Palestinian and I think the first step toward making peace in the middle east is to have a good relationship with each other in the west and then wetern Jews and Palestinians in the west may contribute in transmitting peace to middle east.

We can for example go out in a protest together Palestinians and Israelis, Muslims and Jews and condemn terrorism. Maybe our brothers and sisters in the middle east get more awakened. We can give them a better hope and we show them that we can be good friends.

No it is not Ok for me to see any insults to any religion but the problem is that most of those who insult each others are from the three major religions. Vhristians keep insulting Muslims and Jews some times although rarely insults Muslims and muslims sometimes insult both christians and jews.

Thanks so much Chloe G you have a good idea.

Mark S talking to a rabbi is a great idea there is a synagogue beside my house.

Answer 1

Hi Mimi!

As you'll know from some of my posts, I believe that Jews and Muslims can be good friends, if only both can overcome their nervousness about approaching each other, and if both can agree to disagree on some aspects of the Middle East problem.

From your description, I suspect that your neighbours may be Orthodox Jews? The more religious are less integrated in society, as is true of all religions.

One thing you might like to try is seeing if there's any equivalent in Canada of the group in Israel which comprises Jews, Muslims, Israelis and Arabs; you could ask at the Synagogue but also try and internet search. If there is nothing - you would be a great person to start one!

I don't know if there's a big Muslim population in Ottawa, but then again you only need a few people from each religion to get a dialogue going.

Meanwhile, you are always most welcome to ask me anything about Judaism - you have given lovely answers to my queries about Islam.

Most Jewish people are highly integrated into society and only too happy to have friends of all faiths and religions. It may be that your neighbours are merely shy - shyness can so often mimic aloofness. Try wishing them a good Rosh Hashannah next week and see what happens!

Answer 2

You can’t really say that not all Jews are Zionists
The Jewish religion most important principle is the return to Zion. I live in Israel and I hate what is done here.
But I don’t like the negative use of the word Zionist.
The original idea was to find a home to the unwanted Jews of the world, so as a nation they could have a land of there own. And be free from persecution.
It could have been ok if they didn’t take the land of other people. But you must understand those time was times of the British imperialism, and no one thought that the Arabs were important. So the problem is now and how Israel and the Israelis treat there neighbors. So the problem is not Zionists. It’s Israel. That’s a difference. If isrel would have treated it Arabs inhabitants equality (despite there is a little to blame the Arabs 2) and if it would have liked peace with its neighbor then I think you would have no ground to be against it. But now as it is I can understand why you think what you think.

Answer 3

Dear Mimi,

I deeply appreciate your gesture of goodwill to your Jewish neighbors. You should remember that people often hold suspicion against other people. As in your case, your Jewish neighbors have certain ingrained stereotype, passed down generations after generations, against Arab-Muslims.

I have collected some links that might provide you with valuable information about Jewish people and their relation with Arab-Muslims. Consulting a rabbi at your local synagogue is also a good idea. The better you know about Jewish people, the more possible you befriend them.

Next time you meet them, just sincerely say shalom aleichem (or sholom aleichem) (Hebrew שלום עליכם shālôm ʻalêḵem; Yiddish שלום־עליכם şolem aleyxem). It is a greeting in Hebrew, meaning "Peace be upon you". The appropriate response is "Aleichem shalom". The greeting is used in plural - so as to greet multiple people - even when greeting a lone individual. One religious explanation for this is that one greets both a body and a soul.

Shalom aleichem, sister.

Answer 4

why does the Koran say to "kill the Jews and the people of the Book. Kill the Jews on Saturday and the people of the Book on Sunday. Kill them where you find them."
Jews are sociable. In Israel people are allowed to worship in any way they chose. What Arab/Muslim Nation can say that ? Women are allowed to vote in Israel and Arabs are elected into governmental positions right along side of Jews. Tell me even ONE Arab/Muslim country that has such ?
Life is not about Religion. It is about Relationship!!! Israel is the ONLY Democratic nation in a sea of Islamic dictatorships.
I have no doubt that I will be reported for this but just as you felt comfortable telling Jews to be "sociable" , I feel that I should have the right to say that Arab/Muslims should be exactly what they want the Jews to be, whether that is here in the U.S.A. or in Israel (or any where else for that matter.) It is nice of you to try to bridge the gap but it sure would help if more ppl got on board with you.
I realize that the Jews are NOT perfect and I do not mean to imply that they are.
One more thing...what in the world is wrong with being a Zionist ? That is only someone who wants the Jews to have a homeland in ....um...THEIR HOMELAND ! How in the world is that a bad thing???(we could get into the whole "right to return" thing and all but ....You have to admitt that "Palestineans" are actually Jordainians or Egyptians (like Yasser Arafat was) or from some other Arab nation. Why won't their OWN COUNTRIES LET THEM BACK IN OR AT LEAST HELP FEED, CLOTHE AND HOUSE THEM ??
This is NOT your fault but if were are gonna talk then Lets talk! Okay?

Answer 5

I'm not Jewish or Muslim but I am Catholic and I know what it's like to be hated for no reason what so ever. I hate being called a pagan. My bf is Jewish and I have other friends who are Jewish and they have a Muslim foreign exchange student living with them. I was friends with a Mormon there for a while but she doesn't talk to me anymore.

I don't understand why people go around hating other people's religion because religion is the most interesting subject in the world and you learn more about your own religion by learning about other religions.

Answer 6

Wow those are strong opinions. But I understand what you're saying.
I'm a christian and would love to be friends with a Jew and with a Muslim! But they always tend to hang out with their own.
I guess that's human though, as people stick with what they know and what they are comfortable with.
I guess a major fear from these groups when it comes to mingling with other religions is that they are going to try to convert them. In most instances I'd say this wouldn't happen if they wanted to have a good friendship. I once was friends with a Mormon and I remember she tried to convert me. From then on I really didn't trust her and pulled back from the friendship.
Maybe a suggestion for striking up a friendship with your Jewish neighbours would be to put an invitation in their mail, or even hand deliver it to them for a barbeque at your house. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

thats the problem and why it will never be solved, because either one person on one side wants to reach out and gets shut down by some other jerks who happen to be of the other religion and that makes for more negativity until the opinion that all the jews or muslims are antisocial infidel persecutors, etc. spreads to more and more

Answer 8

Who said we're not sociable? My community is very sociable here--I think it isn't fair you're saying Jews aren't sociable because you never spoke to any of yours in Ottawa. I mean, you even admitted it yourself, you didn't make any advances to talk to them either.

But I think you definitely have good ideas! Both Jewish and Muslim communities need to stop eying each other across the room and start walking over to shake hands and chat.

I recently took part in a program called Hands of Peace (http://www.hands-of-peace.org/) that is good for this type of thing. Also, have you read The Faith Club? (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780786293360&itm=1)

It's one of my favorite books about this type of thing.

Peace to you

Answer 9

I think a barbecue is a good idea--the only issue, of course, is whether or not your neighbors keep kosher.

Another idea just occurred to me--it might be worthwhile to call a local rabbi--maybe you even know which synagogue your neighbors attend--and ask him/her for an "introduction", as it were, or for some other suggestions.

Answer 10

Run for office you sound like you have the right attitude. I wish all sides would take this stance on the issue.

Include us Christians too. Maybe online could be the start. this is a wonderful question.