Daughters of Abraham
Encyclopedia
The Daughters of Abraham is an interfaith book group consisting of Jewish, Christian
, and Muslim
women. Its mission is to overcome stereotypes and to foster mutual respect and understanding among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women.
The first group was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts
in 2002. Subsequent groups formed in Cambridge, Newton, Massachusetts
, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
(at Boston College
), and Washington, DC. Media coverage in 2006 aroused interest in forming additional new groups around the country.
by reading books that teach about each other's faith traditions and learn from each other about the practice of our respective faiths. The group members are committed to building relationships with each other. Daughters of Abraham is not a dialogue group, but a book group focused on discussions of books that explore our the three faith traditions.
Even though they are "daughters" of different "mothers," Sarah
and Hagar
, Abraham
is the father of all three religions. By naming themselves Abraham's daughters, the group members are saying that there is more holding them together than separating them.
Group members agree to listen and speak respectfully to one another, not to monopolize the conversation, and to speak from personal experience, rather than making sweeping statements.
Members suggest books at the meetings. Periodically, they review all the suggestions, then by consensus, choose the books that will be read. If anyone strongly objects to reading a particular book, it is not read.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
women. Its mission is to overcome stereotypes and to foster mutual respect and understanding among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women.
The first group was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
in 2002. Subsequent groups formed in Cambridge, Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Chestnut Hill is a wealthy New England village located six miles west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Like all Massachusetts villages, Chestnut Hill is not an incorporated municipal entity, but unlike most of them, it encompasses parts of three separate municipalities, each of...
(at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
), and Washington, DC. Media coverage in 2006 aroused interest in forming additional new groups around the country.
Mission
The purpose is to increase respect for all of the Abrahamic religionsAbrahamic religions
Abrahamic religions are the monotheistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with him...
by reading books that teach about each other's faith traditions and learn from each other about the practice of our respective faiths. The group members are committed to building relationships with each other. Daughters of Abraham is not a dialogue group, but a book group focused on discussions of books that explore our the three faith traditions.
Membership
Any Jewish, Christian or Muslim woman who shares the Daughters' purpose and mission is welcome to join.Founding
The Daughters of Abraham was the inspiration of Edie Howe. She attended an interfaith service on the evening of September 11, 2001 and sat with Jewish, Christian and Muslim women. Looking around, she wondered what she could do to respond to the tragic events of that day. She decided to form a book group of women from the three Abrahamic faiths. This first group has been meeting continuously since September 2002.The name "Daughters of Abraham"
This name emphasizes the common elements that unite us. In all three of the religious traditions, Abraham is revered as the first monotheist. In this sense, he is the "father" and the members can be thought of as his "daughters."Even though they are "daughters" of different "mothers," Sarah
Sarah
Sarah or Sara was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac as described in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. Her name was originally Sarai...
and Hagar
Hagar (Bible)
Hagar , according to the Abrahamic faiths, was the second wife of Abraham, and the mother of his first son, Ishmael. Her story is recorded in the Book of Genesis, mentioned in Hadith, and alluded to in the Qur'an...
, Abraham
Abraham
Abraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
is the father of all three religions. By naming themselves Abraham's daughters, the group members are saying that there is more holding them together than separating them.
Meetings
Some groups choose to meet in the same space every month at the same time. Groups try to select a space that is non-sectarian, comfortable and easily accessible by public transportation.Group members agree to listen and speak respectfully to one another, not to monopolize the conversation, and to speak from personal experience, rather than making sweeping statements.
Members suggest books at the meetings. Periodically, they review all the suggestions, then by consensus, choose the books that will be read. If anyone strongly objects to reading a particular book, it is not read.
Media coverage of the Daughters of Abraham
Christian Science Monitor (November 2005)- ABC News NowABC News NowABC News Now is an American 24-hour news channel offered via digital television, broadband and streaming video at ABCNews.com and on mobile phones. It delivers breaking news, headline news each half hour, and wide range of entertainment and lifestyle programs. The channel is currently available in...
"Top Priority" (December 2005) - PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly (October 2006)
- Boston Globe (October 2006)
- Boston College Magazine (Spring 2007)