Sharing our Stories Builds Bridges
Fall is fast approaching, along with shorter days, the bustle of the new academic year, and the madness of the fall election cycle. We pray that you are taking time to appreciate God’s creation and opportunities to engage with your neighbors. We wish our Jewish friends Shana Tova and best wishes for a sweet New Year!
We’ve been busy since our last report in April. Here are some highlights:
· Our Bay Area Interfaith Bridges™ Tri Faith Program concluded in May 2026. The program participants loved the potlucks so much they created their own recipe book! They are planning to get together for a reunion soon!
· We have had planning calls with facilitators of the Interfaith Bridges Tri Faith Program in Ventura County launching this fall among a Reform synagogue, a United Methodist Church, and a mosque; the facilitators are beginning to recruit their participants.
· Our next Interfaith Bridges™ – University Edition Program is launching at a midwestern liberal arts college this fall.
· A summer intern developed materials for a new Tapestry™ program on Regular Worship Practices, covering the weekly worship cycle for Christians, Muslims and Jews.
· Another summer intern developed marketing collateral for our outreach to faith communities and contact information for additional faith communities in key U.S. metropolitan markets.
· In response to the horrific attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego in May 2026, we joined Abrahamic Alliance members standing outside a local mosque to provide support during Jumah prayers - see the photo below.
· We had preliminary conversations with an international interfaith organization about a possible collaboration.
· We are in the process of engaging a nonprofit marketing consultant to help us develop a marketing strategy and tools for effective marketing.
· We have begun meeting with individual donors to give a deeper dive into our plans and strategies, seeking advice and funding.
· We updated our payment software on our website to make donations easier!
Bob and Diane Frankle with Abrahamic Alliance and Jumah prayer worshipers
We recently shared our program objectives with a retired Episcopal priest, noting our deeply fractured society and the value of heart-to-heart conversations among people of different faiths. He asked, “why aren’t we having more deep conversations with each other?” We believe some reasons are lack of opportunity and a structured way for interested people to enter meaningful conversations with strangers from other faiths.
Our Interfaith Bridges programs give Christians, Jews and Muslims in faith communities and colleges and universities the opportunity to meet, share meals and personal stories in structured, facilitated small group discussions. Interfaith Bridges programs are designed to develop trust and relationships among Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Our programs are easy to implement. Participants begin our programs as strangers and leave as friends and allies. Wouldn’t our world be better if more people engaged in conversations with their neighbors and got to know each other?
If you are excited about our mission, please donate through our website here. Checks are also welcome – see our updated DONATE page for more information! If you are interested in our programs, please reach out to us at info@buildingbridgestogether.net.
Please contact us with any questions or comments.
Blessings of peace,
Diane Frankle
Bob Frankle
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