Rabbi Hits Road to Heal Jewish-Muslim Relations in France

By Lisa Bryant, published on Voice of America June 30, 2015
France is on high alert after last week's gruesome terrorist attack near the city Lyon. It comes just six months after deadly Paris shootings. One community is particularly worried - French Jews.
The attack have added new tensions to relations between French Jews and Muslims, which were strained over conflict in the Middle East and simmering anti-Semitism.
France’s Jewish and Muslim communities also share a common heritage, though, and as far as one French rabbi is concerned, they are destined to be friends. Rabbi Michel Serfaty and his friendship bus are making the rounds.
Drivers slow down to stare at Serfaty, who is an imposing figure with a black hat and a snow-white beard. He talked with a man in a white T-shirt about being called a dirty Jew as he walked down the street. The man agreed it is shameful, but said it does not reflect the views of many ordinary Muslims like himself.
They're in front of Union of Islamic Organizations of France, better known as the UOIF. It is a popular group with ties to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood.
It is a strange place to find a rabbi, but Serfaty is not your usual rabbi… Read more.
Source: http://www.voanews.com/content/rabbi-hits-road-to-heal-jewish-muslim-relations-in-france/2841688.html