Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies

In the aftermath of the October 7 events, the Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies organized an emergency summit in Haifa in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Search for Common Ground. This initiative brought together over 60 religious leaders and educators from various faiths, and prompted an establishment of religious leaders forums in Haifa, Ramle and Acre working to promote interfaith dialogue between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel. 

The Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies was established in 2020 at the University of Haifa to promote positive social and civic change by adhering to principles of mutual respect across various religious communities in the city. Recognizing that about 80% of Arabs and Jews in Israel identify as tradition-and religion-oriented, the HLRS members believe that ignoring religious contexts can hinder genuine inter-communal dialogue.

The choice of Haifa, a mixed city, as the center for the HLRS’s activities is strategic. Located at the University of Haifa, the HLRS benefits from its position within a unique urban environment, making the campus the largest multi-religious, multicultural, and multilingual academic institution in Israel. Haifa boasts a rich religious landscape, featuring various Jewish communities (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform), a Muslim community, multiple Christian denominations, representatives of the Bahá’í World Center, and a significant Druze presence. These communities coexist in shared neighborhoods, workplaces, and cultural and educational settings.

The HLRS believes that religious communities are essential social systems that can promote social solidarity, environmentalism, education, and social justice. Since its inception, the HLRS has conducted many academic events at both national and international levels. These events include special programs involving graduate students, multi-faith dialogue summits, and the establishment of research groups and forums. 

Following the Emergency Summit at the beginning of the war, the HLRS formed a dedicated group of 20 religious leaders—both men and women—from Haifa, representing a wide array of communities. Beginning in December 2023, they convened for six intensive encounters at the University of Haifa. These sessions focused on relevant religious texts studies, community information exchange, and simulations of potential conflict cases in their audiences. This facilitated work culminated in a joint public statement, published in March 2024, promoting peace, mutual respect, and active leadership to safeguard shared society. The municipality of Haifa has since recognized this group as the city’s interfaith committee, paving the way for ongoing collaboration and mutual support among Haifa’s religious communities.

The success of this project in Haifa has prompted the decision to initiate similar efforts in Ramle and Acre, which presents a wonderful opportunity for expanding the HLRS’s mission. Located south of Tel Aviv, Ramle is a mixed city with approximately 80,000 residents, of whom 25% are Muslim and another 5% are Christian. In partnership with local leaders, including the mayor, chief rabbi, head of the Latin Church, and leading Imam, the HLRS are coordinating a second HLRS multi-religious group. This group will consist of influential religious figures and will begin meeting in October with the goal of strengthening the local foundations of a shared society. In Acre, the HLRS is coordinating with the municipality and local leaders a new interfaith dialogue group for religious women that will launch in November. 

In addition to ongoing projects, the HLRS has launched several new initiatives aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation. One notable initiative is the Interfaith Ambassador Program, designed to build direct communication networks among diverse religious leaders. Starting this academic year, the HLRS offers a new MA Program focusing on interfaith dialogue and cooperation, marking the first initiative of its kind in Israel. This multifaith program brings together a cohort of 10 religious leaders from diverse backgrounds—Druze, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish—to build interfaith cooperation networks and empower them to return to their communities as advocates for understanding and peace.