Achieving peace through dialogue

FJMC’s new Darchei Shalom Initiative

Norm Kurtz

By Norm Kurtz

At its last biennial convention, FJMC International introduced a new and exciting initiative – “Darchei Shalom, Pathways to Peace.” This initiative seeks to promote interfaith and multi-cultural dialogue.

FJMC has been collaborating with several Turkish Muslim communities throughout North America.  These communities follow the global Islam-inspired Hizmet (“service to others”) philosophy of interfaith and multi-cultural dialogue, collaboration and cooperation, as envisioned by the Hizmet Movement’s founder and spiritual leader, the late Fethullah Gϋlen.

In addition to interfaith and multi-cultural dialogue, Hizmet is committed to education and social action. Gϋlen taught that interfaith dialogue is essential today, and that – through thoughtful dialogue – trust and respect develop. This, in turn, leads to a love and caring for all human beings. Only through this love can man serve man altruistically.

Fethullah Gϋlen

Gϋlen’s vision is consistent with the teaching of the Rambam, who said that “there exists a responsibility of Jews toward the welfare of all non-Jews.” At its core, our Darchei Shalom initiative expresses our goal of advancing world peace and global harmony.

Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (z’’l) once said: “The most influential human being who ever lived was Abraham. His wife was Sarah. Today, more than half of the world’s population claim their descent – literal or metaphorical – from Abraham and Sarah [and Sarah’s handmaiden, Haggar] – 2.2 billion Christians, 1.3 billion Muslims and… 13 million Jews.”

“We have one father; we have one mother; we are descended from the same parents – which means we are all brothers and sisters,” Sacks continued. “If that is the story of Genesis, should that not become the story of the 21^st century?… Jews, Christians, and Muslims are brothers and sisters.”

Rabbi Sacks teaches from this that the time has come to strive to reconcile – to live in peace and harmony. (To view Rabbi Sacks’ full lesson, see the video.)

Thanks to meticulous preparation and teamwork, the Darchei Shalom committee achieved a significant milestone at FJMC’s 2025 convention in Chicago. In attendance was a delegation of representatives of interfaith organizations affiliated with the Hizmet Movement, all part of The Alliance for Shared Values (AfSV), a non-profit organization serving as a centralized platform for collaboration, and a unifying voice for cultural, civic and service organizations associated with the Hizmet Movement in North America.

Dr. Ori Soltes of Georgetown University

Dr. Ori Soltes of Georgetown University delivered a keynote address about the Hizmet Movement, followed by an hour of stimulating breakout sessions, each co-moderated by a pair of representatives from AfSV and FJMC.

As a result of that rollout, we now have 14 communities participating in dialogue. Clubs in many regions, including New England, Seaboard, Northern New Jersey, Midwest, Anshe Zafon, KIO+ and Western, are involved.

Dialogue may not be a magic solution to hostility, but it can create bridges between individuals and communities. Dialogue is a collaborative effort to seek understanding, shared meaning and common ground. This does not mean differences are overlooked or minimized; instead, they are recognized as an inherent part of the conversation. By fostering understanding and empathy, trust and respect, dialogue helps humanize the “other” and can lead to meaningful relationships – even lasting friendships.

The Darchei Shalom committee’s mission is to bring the joys and benefits of inter-faith and multi-cultural cooperation to the broader Jewish community. Through the long arm and influence of FJMC, we can do this.

Men’s Club leaders and other committed members of FJMC International who are interested in exploring dialogue and collaboration with a local Hizmet group may contact us at FJMC International or reach out to the initiative’s chairman, International Past President Norm Kurtz, at .

As Reb Zalman (z’’l) taught: “Dialogue does not happen when we are adversaries. It is through continued interfaith dialogue, understanding and cooperation that our community, and all of society, will benefit.”

Norm Kurtz is past international president of FJMC International and chairman of the Darchei Shalom Initiative.