Gateway's Heliport Gallery Exhibit: Convergences

Convergences: Towards a Jewish/Muslim Renewal
Featuring the art and thought of Tunisian Muslim artist Karim Chaibi and American Jewish artist Tom BlockOpening reception Friday February 9, 6-8 PM

Jews and Muslims, Biblical cousins, enjoyed nearly a five hundred year golden era during the Middle Ages, when, circling the Mediterranean Sea, these two peoples built one of the most peaceful societies of human history.

Convergences explores the positive aspects of the Jewish/Muslim liaison, and posits that we can reach into the shared history of both peoples for resources to lead towards a positive renewal of this relationship.

Muslim and Jewish traditions branch from one tree. From Kosher and Hallal food proscriptions to the Sufi and Hasidic mystical systems, from sister alphabets to a similar lexicon for the words of greatest importance, Arabs and Jews have practiced startlingly similar religions for the past 1500 years. Indeed, from the beginning of Islam, Muslims and Jews have shared the tempo of the sun in the timing of their prayers, Muslims beginning their Friday prayers at the very moment Jews light their Sabbath candles.

Convergences investigates the intertwined traditions from two specific points of view. Karim Chaibi, who traveled a personal path from Islamic fundamentalist to open-minded writer and artist with Sufi inclinations, looks at the similarities between Jewish and Muslim law. Tom Block, who considers himself a Jewish/Sufi, has undertaken an academic and artistic study of the surprising linkages between Jewish and Islamic mysticism. Taken together, these two artists propose a shared conviction that the arts, and open-minded conversation between Jews and Muslims, can help lead from the misunderstandings currently enveloping the relationship between these historic cousins to a renewal of peace and friendship.

Additionally, a series of events will highlight specific aspects of this shared heritage, with panel talks and cultural activists taking place in the gallery throughout the two-month run of the exhibit. Ultimately, Convergences hopes to become part of a growing conversation of peace and renewal between Jews and Muslims, both in the United States and abroad.

Other Related Events:
Related events

An Evening with the Diplomats February 15, Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm

State department officers who have served in and thought about the Middle East over the past 50 years will hold a panel discussion about events in that region. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions about how diplomatic initiatives can support an agenda of peace..

An Evening with the Artists March 8, Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm

Karim Chaibi will talk about his experiences traveling along a path from Muslim Fundamentalist to open-minded Sufi; he will also describe the inspiration for his work, which is the relationship to the Holy texts in Muslim and Jewish traditions. Tom Block will discuss his book, Shalom/Salaam: The Untold Story of a Mystical Entanglement, which traces the virtually unknown story of Jewish and Islamic mystics working together for over a millennium, with Sufism being ultimately a major influence on the direction of medieval Jewish spirituality, the Kabbalah and the Baal Shem Tov’s Hasidism.

Note to writers: Poets and others interested in developing poems or prose based on the CONVERGENCES exhibit are invited to arrive early—at 5:45 PM—to chat with the artists individually and to discuss common interests.

An Evening of Cultural Convergence March 22, Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm

This evening will highlight the culture of the Jewish and Muslim traditions, including a feast highlighting shared traditions from Arab and Jewish kitchens, particularly in areas where Arab and Jew have long lived side by side such as the North African cities of Fez, Rabat and Tunis. There will also be Jewish and Muslim storytelling, dancing and music.

An Evening of Poetry March 28, Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm

Join friends and neighbors in an evening of poetry inspired by the work and themes explored in Convergences. Poets are encouraged to bring work to read on the theme, but the reading is open to all, including those who wish to read favorite work of another writer. (Note also the special invitation to writers for March 8.)

I hope you can join us!

David Fogel

Project Manager
Gateway Georgia Avenue Revitalization Corporation
8001 Kennett St Ste 3
Silver Spring MD 20910

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