LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To mark the Holy Month of Ramadan this year, Consul General Sam Grundwerg, with support from the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), led by Rabbi Marc Schneier, President, and Russell Simmons, Chairman, hosted an Iftar celebration at the Consul General’s official residence. Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz joined in on the festivities along with leaders in both the Muslim and Jewish Communities.
Guests in attendance enjoyed a special celebration of food, culture and dialogue inspired by Ramadan’s spirit of giving and sharing. The special guest of the evening, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led a thought-provoking discussion with Simmons, Grundwerg, Schneier and Muslim community activist Mahomed Akbar Khan about the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations and bringing communities together to promote a better understanding of one another’s cultures and values.
“The core values of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths are the same: compassion, tolerance, and helping those in need. Those who pit us against each other do so not out of spiritual beliefs, but rather for their own political and financial enrichment,” said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “That’s why we faithful must take every opportunity to come together to share our message of inclusion with those who sincerely seek a peaceful and prosperous world.”
“In our practice of serving G-d, there is no more essential service that we can provide than teaching people to connect and see themselves in each other,” said Russell Simmons.
“Tonight’s event allowed us to rejoice in the similarities that connect us as well as the differences that make our community beautifully diverse,” said Sam Grundwerg, Consul General of Israel. “This gathering demonstrates that people of good will from diverse religions and cultures can indeed celebrate and, ultimately, live together in harmony."
Demonstrating our commitment to engagement with different communities and organizations, the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles remains dedicated to working closely together with community and faith leaders and organizations like the FFEU to build bridges and facilitate meaningful discourse between Jewish and Muslim communities.
"This Iftar reception is a great opportunity to celebrate our common faith and common fate," said Rabbi Marc Schneier.
For more information on the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles or the FFEU, please visit: www.embassies.gov.il/la/ or www.ffeu.org.
About the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles
The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles is one of Israel’s largest diplomatic missions in the world. It covers the entire Southwest region of the United States including Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The Consulate is an official office of the Government of Israel. Our many departments work hand in hand striving to provide the best of Israel and strengthen the already deep bonds between Israel and the Southwest region.
