The goal of the six-week program is for participants to gain a deeper understanding of their own faiths while learning about other religious traditions, experiences and practices, according to its website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of people that are seeking to find places where they can ask honest questions, where they can be heard,\u201d Collins said. \u201cWe are in a pluralistic society, and we can all exist.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The dialogue sessions begin on the day after the second anniversary<\/a> of Hamas\u2019 Oct. 7 attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the date of the program was not intentional, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people<\/a> has come up at Multicultural Alliance events, Collins said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we run from those conversations when they come up. \u2026 This is why having places like this are so important,\u201d Collins said of the interfaith dialogue.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Multicultural Alliance<\/a>, formerly known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, is a Fort Worth-based human relations nonprofit with a mission to promote inclusion, diversity and understanding. The alliance aims to work toward eliminating bias, bigotry and oppression through educational programs such as Camp CommUNITY<\/a>, the Interfaith Dialogue <\/a>sessions and its seminarian retreat<\/a>.<\/p>\n The first iteration of the dialogue program began in 2010, originally called \u201cInterfaith Trialogues\u201d \u2014 a discussion between members of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths, Collins said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The program evolved to include all faith backgrounds and now is conducted online.\u00a0<\/p>\n Each week is a relationship-building process, said Barry Klompus, who is Reform Jewish. He has been a facilitator for the dialogues for almost a decade.\u00a0<\/p>\n Conversations typically begin with individuals sharing their faith journey, spiritual holidays and how different people pray. The heaviest topic, which happens around the fifth week, addresses misconceptions and stereotypes, Klompus said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The goal is to foster dialogue, not debate, Klompus said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not here to argue. We\u2019re here to understand and to learn,\u201d Klompus stressed. \u201cI see our approach is really nurturing people through our different topics.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In the final week, the group recaps the time they\u2019ve spent together and addresses any lingering questions that people have. If the timing works, Klompus said, the group gets together in person the following week for a reunion.\u00a0<\/p>\n But that doesn\u2019t have to be the last time participants see each other. Collins said she hopes the experience creates lasting interfaith connections.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a bonding that takes place,\u201d Collins said. \u201cBeyond that six weeks, one of the things that really comes out of it is a relationship.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
![\"Creative](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758084579_646_cc-by-nd-4.0.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n