Rabbi Marc Schneier First Jew To Receive Honor For Leadership In Building Muslim-Jewish Relations
NEW YORK – Rabbi Marc Schneier, the president and founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), has been named the honorary grand marshal of the Muslim Day Parade. This is the first time a Jewish leader has been bestowed with this honor in the parade’s 32-year history. The organizers chose Rabbi Schneier in recognition of his having pioneered the field of Muslim-Jewish relations in the United States and around the world. The parade kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 24th at 12:45pm at 40th Street and Madison Avenue.
Rabbi Schneier founded the FFEU in 1989. Together with FFEU Chairman Russell Simmons, the pair turned their sights to bridge the divide between Muslims and Jews. In the ensuing years, the group has held a number of major programs and events that have strengthened relations between Muslims and Jews worldwide, including the tremendous success of his “Today I am a Muslim Too Rally” held in February 2017 in Time Square and “Muslims Are Speaking Out” campaign.
“This year’s parade is more important than ever before due to the climate we live in. Racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, bigotry and hate are on the rise in our country,” said Imam Shamsi Ali, president of the Muslim Foundation of America and parade organizer. “I’m excited and honored to pay tribute to Rabbi Schneier as the honorary grand marshal of the parade. Having pioneered the field of Muslim-Jewish relations over a decade ago, he has demonstrated his dedication and devotion to the American Muslim community.”
In accepting this tribute Rabbi Schneier said, “As the children of Abraham, Muslims and Jews share a common faith and a common fate. It is our single destiny that must strengthen our bonds of concern, compassion and caring for each other.”
The 32nd Annual Muslim Day Parade is organized by the Muslim Foundation of America. It serves to bring together a Muslims of various ethnic backgrounds to share their cultures and traditions and to express themselves as an integral part of New York City. This year’s parade is dedicated to the plight of the Rohingya people.
Founded in 1989, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding is the global address for Muslim-Jewish Relations, and the national address for African American-Jewish relations. The organization is committed to the belief that direct dialogue between ethnic communities is the most effective path towards reconciliation. For more information, please visit http://www.ffeu.org.