Bridging Barriers

June Park is a Christian who was born in Korea, then moved to Saudi Arabia. “Even though, I was in Saudia Arabia for 10 years, I never really understood anything about Islam. After September 11, if I saw someone in a turban, I would be vigilant. But no more,” she says. “Now, my first instinct is to think, I hope people are not making assumptions about this person.”

Park spent the last year as an MIT’s Addir Fellow — a group of 30 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish students — who meet regularly to get to know each other. One day, these young men and women will work around the globe with those of other faiths, and the aim is that this experience will help prevent ethnic stereotyping and global misunderstanding. “The goal of the program is to build bridges and conversations between these young adults, who are from different religious backgrounds,” says Miriam Rosenblum, MIT’s Jewish chaplain and director of MIT Hillel.

“This is really important as we train students to become leaders of the 21st century. It’s been marvelous to see the self-respect they have for each other and the friendships that have arisen.”

Last year, MIT Hillel got a two-year grant from the Office of University Programs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the program at MIT. Other grants have been given by that department to create similar programs at Brandeis, Tufts, Wellesley, and the University of Maryland. The Addir Fellows project is sponsored by MIT Hillel, the Office of the Dean for Student Life, and MIT’s Board of Chaplains. The program’s focus is Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, but it is also open to other faiths as well.

Addir means bridge in Sumerian, the language of ancient Sumer, which was spoken in Southern Mesopotamia. The name was chosen because it is a language not connected to any particular religious faith. The students meet about 10 hours a month for projects, seminars, retreats, and meals. Because different faiths have different dietary restrictions, students are served a kosher vegetarian meal to suit the diets of everyone.

Students say the group discussions often create wonder. What is heaven? What is sin? What is salvation? Is there a God? Did God create the world in seven days? Are the religious texts literal or metaphorical? What is the Eucharist? Does the wafer really turn into the body of Christ?

TRANSCEND STEREOTYPES

Rob Wirthlin, a Mormon who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says it was a challenge for the fellows to develop trust. “We had to learn that we were going to be respectful, that we were seeking to understand, not to offend.

“It took about three months before we began to trust each other, develop friendships, and to find common ground,” he says. “But once we got to the point where we really wanted to understand each other, I’d walk away from our discussions feeling really uplifted.”

Brett Shapiro is Jewish. He says when the fellowship began, Islam was a mystery to him, but after meeting several Muslim students and befriending them, he realized his religion is not so different from theirs. “People of different faiths have different takes on different issues. But if you can put yourself in their shoes, you realize maybe their ideas aren’t so crazy. You have to have an open mind.”

CHANGE THE WORLD

Ali Wyne, a Muslim, who was born in North Carolina, wants to run for U.S. Congress and bring forth change that will affect millions of people. “Now that we are comfortable with members of other faiths, the thing is to do something about it.

“I’ve come away with a new-found appreciation of dialogue, the power of simple conversations to breakdown the most difficult barriers of understanding. I’ve come away with new hope, and it really leaves you poised to make great change in the world.”

Shapiro says: “I’m more tolerant. I’m able to put myself in someone’s else’s place now, where I wasn’t able to do that before.”

Wirthlin says: “I believe we are part of one family. Now I feel an obligation to go out of my way to stand up for others who are being ridiculed for their beliefs, to come to the aid and defense of all people.”

Rosenblum believes the program has been successful. Her long-term dream, she says, “is for these students to find themselves changed, and to become better equipped to become leaders of greater impact and sensitivity.”

by Liz Karagianis

On Topic: international collaborations, students