The Tri-Faith Initiative is a partnership of the three Abrahamic faith groups — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  A remarkable project is taking place in Omaha, Nebraska.  Temple Israel, The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture have come together, planning to build a religious neighborhood which will house a mosque, a temple and a church plus a shared facility on adjacent properties. 

This is the only undertaking of its kind we know of in the world.  On this site we will keep you in touch with the progress on the plans for the Tri-Faith development and other news of successful interfaith projects around the nation and around the world.

Our Board

We have a Board with representatives from each faith partner:

For Temple Israel

  • Bob Freeman, chairman
  • Rabbi Aryeh Azriel
  • Wendy Goldberg
  • Jon Meyers

For The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska

  • The Rev. Canon Tim Anderson
  • Woody Bradford
  • Pam Hernandez
  • The Rev. Ernesto Medina

For The American Institue of Islamic Studies and Culture

  • Dr. Syed Mohuidden
  • Naser Alsharif
  • Bilal Kaleeq
  • Azhar Kalim

Other key volunteers from all three faith groups have donated large amounts of time to the work of the Tri-Faith Initiative and we are deeply grateful to all of them.

Our Programs

Our first major public program was the March 27 event featuring Rabbi Peter Knobel of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of The Episcopal Church.  The evening at The Qwest Center featured a worship service followed by a dinner and a conversation among the faith leaders on the theme of “Shalom, Salaam, Peace.”

The theme of peace is central to all three of the Abrahamic faiths and is included in daily and weekly worship.  In all three faith groups, in the midst of our prayer time, we turn to our neighbors and offer them words and signs of peace.  Whether we say “Shalom”, “Salaam” or “Peace be with you,” the message is the same — the need to be reconciled with our neighbors as we seek to be reconciled with our God.

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