Wendy Goldberg

Wendy Goldberg, a founding leader and Executive Director of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska, describes an experiment in intentional religious neighbourliness: autonomous Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations located on one shared campus alongside an interfaith centre. The initiative grew out of relationships strengthened after 9/11 and is built on a clear principle - the congregations do not blend their faiths or proselytize to one another, but remain fully themselves while creating repeated opportunities to show up for their neighbours, share ordinary life and deepen mutual understanding.

Goldberg explains why physical proximity matters, from shared gardens and practical cooperation to worship visits, family activities and sustained friendships. She also describes how the model is expanding beyond houses of worship into schools, healthcare and workplaces, where religious accommodation, literacy and inclusion are often poorly understood. The discussion explores perspective-taking, employee resource groups, religious freedom at work, research on reducing prejudice, youth engagement, social cohesion, political polarization and the challenge of making space for people who believe their own religion is uniquely true without requiring them to endorse someone else’s beliefs.