UNITY HOSTS SHORT FILM AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
BETWEEN A MUSLIM, A JEW, AND A CHRISTIAN
(Charlottesville – May 9, 2024) A short film, Sevap/Mitzvah, will be the springboard for interfaith dialogue and discussion between a Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian on Sunday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. at Unity church.
This poignant short film portrays the story of a Bosnian Muslim woman who sheltered a Jewish family during the Holocaust and was later rescued by Jews during the war in Bosnia, 52 years later. It speaks to the profound impact of genuine friendship and compassion. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session and discussion with Herb Levy from Chavurah P'nai Yisrael, Ibrahim Anli, executive director of the D.C. Rumi Forum, and Rev. Don Lansky, minister at Unity of Charlottesville.
“The film will serve as a catalyst for discussion,” said Herb Levy, a lay leader at Chavruah P’nai Yisrael. “It offers an opportunity for our communities to come together amidst a growing rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia in this country and around the world.”
“Our hope,” said Rev. Lansky, is that this will be a gathering of fellowship, inspiration, and dialogue, as we delve into the themes raised by the film and confront the pressing issues facing our communities today.”
The film showing of Sevap/Mitzvah and discussion is free and open to the public. Unity is located at 2825 Hydraulic Circle in Charlottesville. For more information, visit https://unitycharlottesville.org/events/sevap-mitzvah/2024-05-12.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Herb Levy
Herb Levy directed local and national nonprofit organizations for more than 31 years. He holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Catholic University. He’s a lay leader in P’nai Yisrael Chavurah, co-creator of the FocusMusic series in Charlottesville, and active on Charlottesville’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
He served as treasurer of the board of the DC-based Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society, as president of the board of FocusMusic, a nonprofit presenter of folk and acoustic music and as a lay leader in Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Jewish community..
Ibrahim Anli, Executive Director, D.C. Rumi Forum
Ibrahim Anli is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He was a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2007-08. Ibrahim joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) Ankara office as the diplomacy coordinator in 2010. In 2013, he became the secretary-general of Abant Platform, JWF’s Istanbul-based forum of intellectuals. Ibrahim Anli was a lecturer and acting chair at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil in 2016-17. He is currently a volunteer instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, a member of Braver Angels Scholars Council, and a member of the Public Diplomacy Council of America.
Ibrahim Anli writes opinions in his independent blog and has published peer-reviewed book chapters and articles. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University.
Rev. Don Lansky
Rev. Don has served as co-minister of Unity of Charlottesville with his wife, Patricia, since October, 2001. In 2021, he became the senior minister of Unity. Don graduated from the Unity Seminary in 2000. He holds a BA in Psychology from Beloit College.
For Information about the film, Sevap/Mitzvah: https://www.sabinavajraca.com/sevap-mitzvah