House of Peace Jewish-Muslim Outreach

Over the last several years, in the face of persistent anti-Muslim rhetoric and pervasive Islamophbia, we have deepened our relationship with our Muslim neighbors in New York City while also learning more about Islam in America and worldwide. We stand with our Muslim friends and they have stood with us, praying together, celebrating together, and mourning together.

Jummah Welcome at the Islamic Center at NYU

After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, we have resumed our regular visits to the ICNYU! Join us on the second Friday of each month between 12:45 – 2:30pm to stand in welcome as the community gathers for mid-day Jummah prayers. CBST made weekly visits from January 2017 through the first week of March 2020, and returned on November 5, 2021 for the fifth anniversary of Rabbi Kleinbaum’s first post-election visit in 2016. Imam Khalid Latif sent this beautiful message to the CBST community on the Friday after the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, four years after our dedicated weekly vigils to the Islamic Center began.

In-person Jummah prayers draw a smaller number of people due to COVID-19 but our visits continue to be meaningful to our Muslim neighbors. And we are always welcome to visit the Islamic Center at NYU virtually for a full schedule of learning and community-building activities with Imam Khalid Latif and Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffar.    

Rallies and Other Activities

Contingents from House of Peace have participated in rallies and actions throughout the city. We have joined our Muslim friends in interfaith Passover services and we volunteer to serve Iftar dinners at the Islamic Center at NYU on multiple nights during the month of Ramadan.

Contacts

Email House of Peace chair Harold Levine at HouseofPeace@cbst.org. If you’re on Facebook, make sure you’ve “liked” and are following the CBST Facebook page. That’s the best place to look for last-minute updates on House of Peace actions and activities.

The Personal Impact of House of Peace

  • “Having had little contact with Muslims prior to our initiatives, I am especially moved by our personal interactions. Friday afternoon has become a meaningful ritual for me.” —Susan Meyer
  • “When I first joined the efforts of The House of Peace, I thought I’d bring a show of support to our Muslim friends and, by doing so, give them a positive feeling that they are not alone. After participating for several weeks in this effort and seeing the tears in their eyes, the smiles on their faces and feeling the warmth of their hugs, it is I who has benefited significantly by this mitzvah.” —Gerald Goldhaber
  • “Participation is a regular reminder of the urgent necessity to practice empathy. Sitting alone in my apartment leaves me feeling hopeless and helpless; joining with others strengthens me immeasurably and I hope my presence can strengthen others.” —Sherry Fyman

House of Peace in the News

Learning Resources

Explore these print and online resources to better understand Islam and the relations between Muslims and Jews, both historic and contemporary.

Books
Apps
  • Prayspace: A smartphone app that guides you through Muslim prayers with transliterations, translations, audio, and demonstrations of the choreography of Muslim prayer.
Online

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