Sarah Bassin and Abdullah Antepli — Holy Envy

Bassin's Path

Sarah Bassin shares her unique spiritual journey, which began even before her birth when her mother converted to Judaism while pregnant with her. This blend of Jewish and Catholic influences shaped her understanding of faith as a force for justice and action 1. Her experiences led her to create New Ground, an organization aimed at fostering dialogue between Jews and Muslims. She recalls a pivotal moment during a protest, realizing that shouting across divides was futile:

If we don't figure out a way to do something other than scream at each other across the street, then this is never going to solve itself.

--- Sarah Bassin

This realization fueled her commitment to quieter, more meaningful conversations that could permeate communities 2.

   

Antepli's Path

Abdullah Antepli describes his spiritual journey from a secular upbringing in Turkey to embracing Islam in his teenage years. His father's disdain for religion contrasted sharply with his own discovery of Islam's call to serve humanity, which resonated deeply with him 3. Antepli's transformative experiences include organizing interfaith trips, which highlighted the stark differences in Jewish and Muslim perceptions. He reflects on the failure of traditional debate models to foster understanding:

That shouting match, it only increased the partisanship which is plaguing us, which is intellectually killing our curiosity.

--- Abdullah Antepli

These insights have driven his efforts to bridge divides through genuine dialogue and shared understanding 4.