LMU Hosts Workshops to End Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Campus Ministry will host a series of workshops this month through November with guest speakers who will focus on building bridges between Jews and Muslims especially with the rise in antisemitism and islamophobia on college campuses.

Marium Mohiuddin and Zack Ritter are part of a movement that aims to create a national model for healthy relations and social change among American Muslims and Jew will be on campus for three sessions.

"One of the hopes of bringing these speakers on campus is to address the lack of awareness of what the attacks on Oct. 7 mean to Jewish students," said Rabbi Zachary Zysman, director of Jewish Student Life.

The first workshop, on Sept. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the lower level of Sacred Heart Chapel, will focus on promoting cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, addressing the need for understanding and respect amidst diverse perspectives.

The second workshop, on Oct. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m., will be a campus-crisis workshop addressing mental health awareness and communication skills in the context of significant events such as the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks and war and the upcoming November elections.

The third workshop, on Nov. 11, will center on revisiting the current situation and reinforcing conflict resolution strategies and allyship. This session will provide a platform for open discussion, allowing participants to engage in meaningful dialogue about ongoing challenges and potential pathways towards resolution. By building a collaborative environment focused on understanding diverse perspectives and fostering allyship, this workshop aims to empower participants to contribute positively to conflict resolution efforts within communities and beyond.

"My main goal is to start a conversation," said Rabbi Zysman. "I noticed that our students are not engaging with each other, there is a lot of anxiety and fear. These works will provide an opportunity for us to have dialogue and have meaningful engagement with one another."

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend any or all the sessions. For more information contact [email protected].