THE NARRATIVES OF ABRAHAM AND JEWISH- MUSLIM DIALOGUE (REMOTE)

What can the stories of Abraham and his family teach us about Jewish-Muslim relations? Drawing on the Torah, Qur’an, Midrash, and Hadith, this course explores how Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Sarah, and Hagar are understood across Jewish and Muslim traditions. We will examine the different interpretations of Abraham’s sacrifice, the distinct symbolic roles of his two sons and their two mothers, and the ways ideas of “being the chosen” have shaped collective identities. The course concludes by considering the possibilities and challenges of interfaith dialogue, including trauma, and competing narratives of victimhood. Throughout, conversations will emphasize respect, understanding, and reconciliation.