Champion For Peace

February 14, Detroit Jewish News
Robert Sklar editorial

She takes platitudes and criticism in stride, never letting either impede promoting reconciliation
among conflicted peoples. A fashion consultant by profession, Brenda Rosenberg says she
became an agent for peace in the aftermath of 9-11.
The Bloomfield Hills resident didn’t have to dig too deeply to find the courage and energy to navigate rough cultural and religious chasms so she could help improve interfaith and intercultural relations, especially among Jews and Arabs.

And her efforts have been noble, if not daring.

Her targets have been prejudice, misconception, fear and hatred. Rising global anti-Semitism and anti- Zionism have fueled her cause, but so has a relentless desire to forge partnerships from seeming stone and to spur understanding despite the divides.

The JN article “Healing Rifts” (Jan. 31, page 8) reported her on-scene impressions of the opening of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna. Not everyone is in her position to travel the world to advance tolerance and acceptance. But that shouldn’t diminish the incredible determination and good will that propels this regional board officer of the American Jewish Committee.

Over the years, Rosenberg has been integral in developing the creative arts initiative “Reuniting the Children of Abraham: A Toolkit 4 Peace,” the community presentation “In Our Own Words … Muslim Voices in Detroit: Messages to the Jewish Community” and the hope-filled book Friendship & Faith: The Wisdom of Women Creating Alliances for Peace.

Rosenberg isn’t blind to radical Islamist ideology and Muslim fundamentalists driven by terror. She knows that’s a fight best fought by the U.S., Israel and other civilized nations.

She sees her role helping change Muslim-Jewish mis- trust one meaningful interfaith project, one thoughtful intercultural discussion at a time.