Interfaith Dialogue Seminars

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam share the same vision of the ultimate capacity of humanity to overcome their religious differences via compassion toward one's fellow human beings. What are the similarities and differences between these three monotheistic faiths?

The Washington Seminar Center (WSC) offers interfaith dialogue seminars that include guest speakers with Christian, Islamic, and Jewish backgrounds from various organizations and local universities. All guest speakers are very active and well-known in the national and international interfaith community. Visitors should select two topics and the guest speaker for the topic they are interested in.

After your reservations have been made, the Director will work with you to schedule a seminar that meets your needs. Please look at the Reservations page, before you contact us.

1. The Effect of 9/11 on the Perception of Islam in the United States - Fees: None (CAIR) & $500 (Hendi)

How has the tragedy of 9/11 affected the interaction between the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic communities in the United States? What can our communities do to improve peaceful cooperation and understanding among our three monotheistic faiths?

A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain of Georgetown University

2. Medieval Spain — Cooperation Among the Monotheistic Faiths - Fee: $250

Discover how Christians, Muslims, and Jews experienced a period of cooperation, producing one of the most creative periods in human history.

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Co-Rabbi of Congregation Bet Mishpachah

3. Women in the Islamic Tradition - Fee: None

Discover the stereotypes that women in Islam face in the United States. Find out about those regions of the Islamic world that still refuse to give women their equal share of freedom versus those who do.

A representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

4. Women in the Jewish Tradition - Fee: $250 (Berner) & $500 (Serotta)

How do women in the Jewish faith reconcile between tradition and modernity? Explore the historic differences between the Jewish traditional, reform, and secular movements.

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Co-Rabbi of Congregation Bet Mishpachah
Rabbi Gerald Serotta, Associate Rabbi of Temple Shalom

Fees

Many seminars involve no fee while some may cost $250-500 (this translates into $10-25 per participant, depending on group size). If there is a fee involved it is directly payable to the individual or organization presenting the seminar.

Groups that are not staying overnight and would like us to arrange one of these seminars as a daytime event in the local community are charged an extra $200 for space use, payable to the Washington Seminar Center.

Please send an email to or contact the director at (202) 547-8118 to discuss your options and potential fees.