| Abrahamic Reunion

March 19th, 2025, Nazareth, Israel

In the heart of Nazareth, where the echoes of history whisper through ancient streets, a remarkable gathering unfolded on the evening of March 19, 2025. The Golden Crowne Hotel, perched like a beacon of hospitality, opened its doors to 235 souls from vastly different walks of life. Muslims, Jews, Druze, Christians, and Samaritans, communities often separated by faith, tradition, and time, came together under one roof for the Multifaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner organized by the Abrahamic Reunion. It was more than a meal; it was a story of hope, woven with threads of shared humanity.

The room buzzed with anticipation as representatives of these diverse communities took their places. Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen, his presence a quiet pillar of wisdom, sat beside Dr. Rafic Nahra, the patriarchal vicar for Israel and auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Dr. Nahra’s voice soon filled the space, steady and resonant, delivering a message that cut through the noise of division. “Let us focus on what brings us closer,” he urged, “not what pulls us apart.” His words hung in the air, a gentle challenge to see beyond the lines that so often define us.

Nearby, the representative of the Head of the Druze Community stood to speak. With a calm authority, he painted a picture of Ramadan that went beyond fasting, a time to draw near to God, to cultivate patience, to extend kindness to the needy, and to forgive. His words were a reminder that this holy month, at its core, is about the soul’s quiet work, a call to goodness that transcends any one faith.

Then came Mr. Yacov Cohen, representing the Samaritan community from Nablus. His voice carried the weight of a man who knows the cost of separation. “We must meet more often,” he said, his eyes sweeping the room. “We must know each other, not fear each other. Our diversity is what makes us unique, but our humanity is what binds us.” It was a plea and a promise, simple yet profound, that rippled through the crowd.

The stage continued to host a chorus of voices, each adding a new layer to the night’s tapestry. Ms. Ikhlas Qaraqra, a social worker and tireless advocate for education, spoke of the power of community action. Rabbi Leora Ezrachi Vered from the Spirit of the Galilee brought a spark of warmth, while Dr. Sigalit Ur from the Shalom Hartman Institute wove threads of justice and understanding into the conversation. The international director of the Abrahamic Reunion, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, and Mr. David Less rounded out the voices, each emphasizing a truth as old as time: talking to one another, sharing a meal, breaking bread together, these acts, so ordinary on their surface, hold extraordinary power.

In a region often shadowed by complexity and conflict, this gathering felt like a quiet rebellion. It was grassroots activism in its purest form, people choosing to sit together, to listen, to share. As one speaker put it, “This is the cure to extremism, the antidote to conflict. The solution always comes from the people.” The room nodded in agreement, a collective understanding settling over them like dusk.

Before the fast was broken, a moment of recognition lit up the evening. Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, a man whose life has been a bridge between cultures and faiths, stepped forward. As the founder of “The Path of Avraham,” an initiative blending academia, spirituality, and social good, he had spent years fostering dialogue where others saw only divides. Mr. Mosleh Badaoui presented him with an award, a tangible tribute to his tireless work. The applause that followed was heartfelt, a sound that seemed to say: we see you, and we are grateful.

Then, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Sheikh Helme Hamad’s voice rose in the call to prayer, a melody that signaled the breaking of the fast. The room shifted, chairs scraped, plates clinked, and laughter mingled with the aroma of shared food. Muslims broke their fast, while Jews, Christians, Druze, and Samaritans joined in the meal, passing dishes and stories across tables. Under the same roof, they ate, they spoke, they laughed. It was a scene as old as humanity itself, yet as fresh as the hope it carried.

In the end, the Multifaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner was more than an event, it was a living testament to what’s possible when people choose connection over division. In Nazareth, on that March evening, 235 individuals proved that peace isn’t a distant dream. It’s a table, a conversation, a meal shared in good faith. And as the night drew to a close, the Golden Crowne Hotel stood as a silent witness to a story that, with any luck, will be told again and again.