Episode 101.

This is the second part of my discussion with Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan about living our faiths in America and Germany. While we have all lived in both countries, we practice different faiths, representing the three Abrahamic religions––Judaism, Christianity, and Islam respectively.

In the first part released on 12 June, we discussed our backgrounds, immigration patterns, religious identity and the dynamic of universalism and particularism. In this part, we continue the conversation about the universal and the particular, the problem with identity boxes, and the value or challenge of diversity, before shifting to the issues of the abuse of religion in national efforts to claim power.

Bio for Judith:

Judith Pajo, PhD, grew up in both Germany and the United States. She studied Catholic theology and cultural anthropology on both sides of the Atlantic and has been teaching at Pace University in New York City. Her new research on interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Europe and North America, conceived a little over a year ago, is transforming her Catholic faith. She is currently working on an article about cultural transgressions in interfaith work. Judith lives in Queens, NY.

Links for Judith:

• Profile at Pace University
• LinkedIn – Judith Pajo

Bio for Zeyneb:

Zeyneb Sayilgan, PhD, is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.

Links for Zeyneb:

• On Being Muslim podcast
• Zeyneb’s blog
• ICJS website – www.icjs.org

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes about living abroad:

• Daniel Stein Kokin 'Reinterpreting Jewish Liturgy'
• Oliver Bradley 'A Jew in Germany'

Social Media and other links for Méli:

• Website – the Talking with God Project
• Meli’s email
• LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
• Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Episode 100.

For this episode, I’ve invited two women, Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan, for a group discussion about living our faiths in America and Germany. We each have unique patterns of immigration in addition to different religious identities and practice. Judith grew up in both countries as a Catholic, Zeyneb likewise grew up in Germany and is a lifelong Muslim, while I grew up in the US and lived in Germany for nearly nine years, having become a practicing Jew as an adult. In comparing our unique religious experiences in these two countries, we found engaging layers of issues that we hope to further explore.

A small note. Because this conversation was so extensive, I’ve divided it into two episodes of approximately 30 minutes each. This first part includes discussion of our background, religious identity and the dynamic of universalism and individuality. Part two will be released in two weeks.

Bio for Judith:

Judith Pajo, PhD, grew up in both Germany and the United States. She studied Catholic theology and cultural anthropology on both sides of the Atlantic and has been teaching at Pace University in New York City. Her new research on interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Europe and North America, conceived a little over a year ago, is transforming her Catholic faith. She is currently working on an article about cultural transgressions in interfaith work. Judith lives in Queens, NY.

Links for Judith:

• Profile at Pace University
• LinkedIn – Judith Pajo

Bio for Zeyneb:

Zeyneb Sayilgan, PhD, is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.

Links for Zeyneb:

• On Being Muslim podcast
• Zeyneb’s blog
• ICJS website – www.icjs.org

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes about living abroad:

• Daniel Stein Kokin 'Reinterpreting Jewish Liturgy'
• Oliver Bradley 'A Jew in Germany'

Social Media and other links for Méli:

• Website – the Talking with God Project
• Meli’s email
• LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
• Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Episode 99. Bonus

For this Bonus episode, I’ve invited two British women, Lindsay Simmonds and Julie Siddiqi, both PhDs, to talk about their interfaith friendship and the public facing work they’ve done since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 Oct. 2023. Lindsay is an Orthodox Jew and Julie is Muslim. The fact of their religious identities and deep practice is noteworthy and relevant, as the attack and subsequent war, have proven polarizing, straining the already challenging work of bridging religious differences between Jews and Muslims. Lindsay and Julie offer an inspiring example of possibility, showing us the path to connection, communication, and healing, while not shying away from the challenges. Given the long standing and apparent intransigence of the conflict, this seemed a good time for some hope.

Highlights:

• Intersection of deep faith practice and interfaith work.
• Organizing inclusive events amidst tension.
• Impact and significance of their work.
• The role of space, gender, and representation.
• Trivializing women's impactful initiatives.
• Sustaining hope and setting intentions for the future.

Bios:

Dr. Lindsay Simmonds has worked as a Researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE), UK, working on Women of Faith and Peacebuilding. She is also a Fellow at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where she has lectured and written for 20+ years. Lindsay has been active in local interfaith work. She has five adult children and four grandchildren, and she is an active member of her local orthodox Jewish community in London.

Dr. Julie Siddiqi MBE is a mentor, consultant and gender equality campaigner with a focus on interfaith relations, applying that to social work. She has 25+ years of experience in community work predominantly in the Muslim community as well as in interfaith work. Julie is a qualified Life Coach. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 2020 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Middlesex. She chose Islam in 1995 and is married with four children.

Other episodes:

• Raphael Luzon Building Peace Through Interfaith Dialogue
• Lindsay Simmonds Honoring and Challenging Jewish Orthodoxy

Links for Lindsay:

• London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS)
• Abraham Initiatives, UK
• Council of Christians & Jews
• Midreshet Lindenbaum (Seminary)
• Nisa-Nashim
• Nishmat (Seminary)

Links for Julie:

• Together We Thrive

Transcript on Buzzsprout

Links for Méli:

• Website – the Talking with God Project
• Meli’s email
• LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
• Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.