If ever comic relief lived up to its name, it was June 10, when a Jewish and a Muslim comedian, Rabbi Bob Alper and Egyptian-born Ahmed Ahmed, appeared together at Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo.
Although the crowd of some 300 was mostly Jewish, there were Muslims and Christians there too. It was an evening of interfaith warmth and humor that makes us believe U.S. Jews, Christians and Muslims could be doing more to promote Middle East peace.
As U.S. Christians, Jews and Muslims--whose common ancestor is Abraham--we pray each day to the same God to protect innocent Israelis and Palestinians and for the day when all Middle East people will live in peace and security.
Our collective thoughts dwell on their painful situation. We mourn the losses of their loved ones.
We offer our sympathy and we empathize with their anguish and despair.
We use our financial means, political influence, technological know-how and even our persuasive rhetoric to lend support and solidarity for their causes.
Yet we have failed to share adequately with Israelis and Palestinians the most important and valuable characteristic we take for granted living in America--the ability of people of our three faiths to live together in peace.
Christians, Jews and Muslims live and work side by side in the United States in harmony and toward our nation's prosperity. Even as we espouse our divergent points of view, we respect one another and, through interfaith dialogues and community efforts, work to appreciate our similarities and mutual values.
Our frustrations and conflicting stances are tempered with the maturity of our compassion and support for one another, and we continue to instill in our children the importance of honoring all people, regardless of color, race or religion.
But we have not shared with the people of the Middle East this beautiful characteristic that is based on tolerance and mutual respect.
We export money and arms, we offer solidarity and even condemnations, but we have not sufficiently conveyed our democratic values or our humanity.
We must offer the people of the Middle East a vision of our society, where Christians, Jews and Muslims live in peace and security and do not let their differences result in the indignity of oppression and occupation or the bloodshed of innocent civilians.
