By Adam Baltaxe ’25 and Dara Harper
In August 2024, Imam Amir Durić and Rabbi Ethan Bair of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University were invited to participate in the Interfaith America Leadership Summit in Chicago. Representing Syracuse University’s Jewish and Muslim communities, they were accompanied by Adam Baltaxe ’25 and Avva Boroujerdi ’25, student representatives from each tradition.
Last year, Syracuse University News and Hendricks Chapel featured a story about the friendship and unique collaboration between Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair, which showcased their efforts in uniting their respective chaplaincies through conversation and community building. The story not only resonated with students and staff at Syracuse but also captured the attention of Interfaith America, a leading interfaith non-profit organization.
This recognition led to a grant from Interfaith America, funding the creation of the Jewish-Muslim Fellowship (JMF) at Syracuse University. This initiative provided a dialogue space for Jewish and Muslim students, alongside Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair, to discuss pressing issues and foster Jewish-Muslim relationships. As a result of its growing national reputation for interfaith engagement, Syracuse University received an invitation to the Interfaith Leadership Summit.
“Spending time with people from diverse backgrounds reminded me that interfaith cooperation and dialogue are about understanding not only others but also ourselves in the context of a broader, pluralistic society,” said Imam Durić. Founded by Eboo Patel, Interfaith America aims to inspire, equip, and connect leaders and institutions to harness the potential of America’s religious diversity.
Over the three days of the summit, attendees participated in interfaith dialogue training alongside representatives from more than 20 universities. The event featured speakers, dancers, singers, and interactive sessions. Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair were interviewed about their collaboration, the JMF, and their future goals. “Connecting with national interfaith leaders was both grounding and inspiring. Engaging with others on Jewish-Muslim dialogue was a highlight,” said Rabbi Bair.
Imam Durić participated in a panel entitled “Holy Envy: Discovering the Sacred Unexpectedly” which focused on encountering beautiful and valuable teachings and traditions through interreligious journeys. Leaders from varying traditions and geographical locations participated in the panel, shared their experiences of holy envy, and invited participants to do the same. “The Interfaith America Leadership Summit underscored the importance of interfaith cooperation, especially in an era of increasing polarization. It inspired me to deepen my commitment to building interfaith relationships. These relationships foster a positive attitude towards each other, enhance our appreciation of diverse worldviews, and help us identify shared values,” said Durić.
Baltaxe and Boroujerdi connected with campus representatives from universities of all sizes and forged strong connections with fellow students and other religious leaders. “A common theme at the summit regarded communicating effectively through difficult topics. I’ve helped others learn to engage in emotional discussions without taking things personally. Following the summit, I was selected as a student advisor for Search for Common Ground’s ‘Blueprint for Belonging’ project. We are working to implement interfaith initiatives at universities nationwide,” said Baltaxe. “I’m excited to build on the ideas from the summit and foster unity both at Syracuse University and across the country.”
For more information about the Jewish Muslim Fellowship and other programs, please visit the Hendricks Chapel website.
Hendricks Chapel, the spiritual heart of Syracuse University, is the student-centered global home for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life. Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, the chapel hosts 16 chaplains, more than 25 student-led religious and spiritual groups, and sponsors over 1,900 programs for more than 900,000 annual attendees. Hendricks Chapel employs student workers, supports musical ensembles, offers support through the Student Opportunity Fund and Food Pantry, and partners throughout the campus community to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. As a central contributor to holistic life and learning at Syracuse University, Hendricks Chapel helps to prepare engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders for participation in a changing global society. For more information, visit chapel.syracuse.edu.