Are you looking for a program to help build trust and understanding between Christian, Jewish, and Muslim college students?  Interfaith Bridges - University Edition does just that!

 

Interfaith Bridges - University Edition brings together students from the three Abrahamic faith traditions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, to share a meal and participate in facilitated small group discussions.  The program provides opportunities for the participants to interact with "the other" in a safe space, make friends with people from different faith traditions, and develop capabilities to bridge across differences.

​

Here is what students say about their experience:

​

• “What gave me hope is the fact that so many students showed up and were honest and willing to share their stories.”

• We “learned that we are similar and respect each other in our differences.”

• “All three religions strongly believe in loving thy neighbor and helping to repair and improve the world.” 

• “There’s so much to learn about the Abrahamic religions.”​

 

In the Interfaith Bridges - University Edition program, strangers become a community of trusted friends who can then engage in more challenging conversations. 

​

Interfaith Bridges - University Edition is designed for 12 to 24 student participants with equal numbers of Christians, Jews, and/or Muslims either in a bi-faith or tri-faith program.  There are three 2-hour sessions, each consisting of a shared snack or meal, a presentation video, and facilitated small group discussions.  The videos provide relevant content about the represented Abrahamic faiths, as well as context and vocabulary for the small group discussions.  The sessions build on each other and are designed to create community and trusted relationships among the participants that last beyond the program. 

 

The Interfaith Bridges University Edition program is led by facilitators, such as faculty or school administrators, who plan and conduct the program and recruit the student participants. Building Bridges Together supplies step-by-step instructions and program resources for program preparation, recruitment, and implementation.  Our experts are available for consulting, as needed. The program has a pre- and post-program assessment.  Students can receive a certificate of completion.

 

Student participants are not expected to be experts in their own faith, only in themselves. They share their own experiences and beliefs and are curious and willing to learn about those from other faith traditions. Discussions are subject to Principles of Interfaith Dialogue providing "rules of the road" for constructive dialogue and relationship building.  Topics covered in the three sessions include an introduction to the basic tenets of the three Abrahamic faiths; holidays, food and fasting; symbols and images; and the expression of faith in the world.  The second session includes an art project, which enables participants to work in groups and apply their creativity to addressing an interfaith design challenge.

​​​

Please contact us for more information or to get started.