Chicagoland’s Muslims and Jews Explore “New Roots” at Café Finjan

The Jewish Muslim Community Building Initiative (JMCBI) sponsored the latest installment of Cafe Finjan on March 15, 2012. Hosted at the Columbia College Conaway Center, this year’s theme was “New Roots Chicago: Digging Our Past and Branching into Our Future.” Attendees found connections through their historical roots, and shared how their experiences and perspectives can lead to building a better future. CAIR-Chicago, a JMCBI member organization, co-sponsored the event.

Café Finjan, an interfaith arts exchange presented annually that typically draws over 150 attendees, provides a common space that fosters relationships between Chicagoland’s Jews and Muslims through visual and performance arts. The series establishes points of contact and nurtures a greater understanding between Jews and Muslims while creating spaces for people of diverse backgrounds to come together and give voice to their identity and experiences as part of a larger community.  The event further provides an opportunity for shared expression, exchange of ideas, and a forum for community members to learn through each faith community’s cultural explorations and vision.

Other JMCBI member organizations that co-sponsored Café Finjan 2012 were the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals (CAMP)-Chicago, the Hamdard Center and Hillel at Loyola University Chicago.