Sixteen Years of Shared Tables
Interfaith Iftar at Netivot Shalom
On March 23, BAYCC joined Congregation Netivot Shalom and the Pacifica Institute to co-host the 16th Annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner in Berkeley—a longstanding tradition that continues to bring Muslim, Jewish, and interfaith communities together in a space of respect, conversation, and shared celebration.
Sixteen years in, this gathering still feels personal and genuine. It’s a reminder of what can happen when people show up, stay curious, and keep making space for one another.
The afternoon started well before the doors opened, as Muslim and Jewish volunteers gathered in the kitchen to help prepare the evening’s iftar meal. That simple act—working side by side—has become one of the most meaningful parts of the event. It’s where the connections begin.
At 6:00 PM, guests filled the sanctuary and were welcomed with live music by Rabbi Tsvi Bar-David and John Erlich, whose performances helped set a calm and reflective tone. Interfaith prayers followed, led by Rabbi Chai Levy and Nurdin Kaparov, who offered blessings, warm wishes for upcoming holidays, and gratitude for years of ongoing partnership between the communities.
The evening continued with short talks from Hillary Fox and Enes Sen, who shared an update on an interfaith youth project that encourages students from Muslim and Jewish backgrounds to connect through dialogue and shared experiences—a promising sign for the future of this kind of work.
As the call to prayer was recited by Ahmet, guests paused for a quiet moment of reflection and then broke their fast together. The meal—prepared with care earlier in the day—was shared around full tables, followed by more music from Ben Kramarz and Ikbal Erdogan that lifted the room to a joyful close.
