A Letter From Bruce Feiler

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you for participating in this ABRAHAM SALON and welcome you to this exciting event -- a coast-to-coast, grassroots national conversation on the subject of faith and common ground. This effort grew out of the simple question that has haunted the world since September 11th. Can the religions get along? Specifically, can Abraham -- the shared father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- provide some measure of hope in these troubled times?

I believe your participating in this conversation provides a powerful answer. And now the fun -- and challenging -- part begins. They say one should never discuss politics and religion in public. At this event, we will do both! Still, I have learned during years of travel in the Middle East that the most meaningful conversations are often about the most intimate of topics. And few things are more intimate than our relation to holy texts -- and to God.

With that in mid, I offer a few tips that might help your conversation realize its full potential.

Consider how your personal story shapes your understanding of the Abraham story.

Speak in the first person: I not we. This is one way to avoid getting to us versus them.

Be prepared to raise as many questions about your own tradition as you do of theirs.

Do not skip over your differences. Explore the ones that bother you, and the ones that delight you.

Be prepared to share one surprising insight you have gained from the process.

I hope and trust you will enjoy yourself -- and will leave enriched, enlivened, and inspired. You will find in this packet a list of questions that might guide your conversation, some biblical and koranic passages you might want to discuss, a list of interfaith resources for followup, an audio greeting, a few answers to questions you might have wanted to ask me, and, in the spirit of Abrahamic hospitality, a brownie and a baklava recipe from my friends at Gourmet.

Please let me know how it goes. As always, feel free to contact me directly at www.brucefeiler.com. I promise to answer every e-mail that comes. Until then, I wish you happy reading and happy travels,