Rumi Forum had its monthly circle on September 12, 2024, to study Abrahamic scriptures on “Empathy” with our study leader, Yehuda Stolov, from the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA).

Scriptural Reasoning (SR) allows Christians, Jews, and Muslims to study each other’s sacred texts. SR participants meet monthly to read short passages from their respective scriptures on a topic. Facilitated by a study leader, each session is an opportunity to listen and share various perspectives. SR sessions help participants reflect on a curious list of topics within the Abrahamic tradition. The result is often a deeper understanding of others and one’s scriptures and the development of strong bonds across faith communities.

                Scriptural Reasoning: Introduction                      Islamic Scripture: Quran

               Christian Scripture: New Testament               Jewish Scripture: Hebrew Bible

This Month`s Study Leader

Yehuda Stolov is the executive director of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA). Since 2001, the IEA has worked to build peaceful inter-communal relations in the Holy Land by fostering mutual respect and trust between people and communities through active interfaith dialogue. Dr. Stolov has lectured on the role of religious dialogue in peace-building worldwide, including in Jordan, India, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, North America, and Europe. In 2006, he was awarded the Immortal Chaplains Foundation’s Prize for Humanity, which honors those who “risked all to protect others of a different faith or ethnic origin.” In 2015, he was awarded the Institute of International Education Victor J. Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East. Among other activities, Dr. Stolov was a member of the International Council of the International Association for Religious Freedom and the United Nations Decade of Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace steering committee.