The bonds of human fraternity: Building bridges in the name of peace, tolerance, and coexistence

The WJC actively engages in numerous interfaith efforts around the world, in its dedication to promote peace, tolerance, and dynamic coexistence among the world’s faith communities.

In November 2019, WJC President Lauder delivered a speech to the Pontifical Gregorian University of the Vatican alongside H.E. Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, celebrating the bonds of human fraternity among Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish faith communities.

WJC President Lauder stressed the importance of faith communities uniting in solidarity against all forms of discrimination, saying: “Christians should lead the defense of Jews and Muslims. Muslims should lead the defense of Christians and Jews. Jews should lead the defense of Muslims and Christians. And we must all stand together against racism.”

In February 2021, Pope Francis I made a historic visit to the home of a Hungarian Auschwitz survivor in Rome, which President Lauder applauded by stating, “The Pope has demonstrated a sincere commitment to both personal kindness for the experiences of others and to the urgency of continuing to draw attention to the inhuman atrocities of genocides WJC President Ronald S. Lauder and H.E. Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot in Rome, November 2019

Credit: Shahar Azran

including the Holocaust. At a time when neo-Nazism, antisemitism, and other bigotries are resurgent in many parts of the world, Pope Francis’ moral integrity and sense of history set the standard for other faith, political, and community leaders to follow.” WJC Commissioner for Interfaith Relations Claudio Epelman, who also serves as Executive Director of the Latin American Jewish Congress (LAJC), continues to spearhead global interfaith initiatives, working alongside local Christian and Muslim communities to

build meaningful relationships and trust among the different religious groups.

The LAJC held its seventh-annual Iftar, or breaking of the holy Ramadan fast, in June 2020, and celebrated Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, in August 2020 virtually alongside local Muslim communities. Epelman noted, “For seven years, the LAJC has brought members of the Muslim community of Argentina together with the lay and young leaderships of the Jewish community, as well as senior officials and diplomats. Social distancing, far from hindering the continuation of this tradition, has propelled the spirit of coexistence across the region.” LAJC-organized virtual Iftar celebration, June 2020