As war rages in the Middle East, an example of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Jews is thriving in Westhampton Beach.
About five years ago, Rashid Suleli, a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, purchased the only kosher bakery in the East End and kept it kosher to serve the area's Jewish population. He also made it halal so Muslims can eat there too.
As tensions between Muslims and Jews rise in the United States and other parts of the world, Beach Bakery & Grand Cafe has become a symbol of how groups can get along despite their differences. ing.
Rabbi Mark Schneier, who heads Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, said the cafe is “a profound example of how Muslims and Jews can celebrate a spirit of cooperation rather than conflict.”
He is deeply involved in interfaith work through his cafe and nationally and internationally.
“The example we set in Westhampton Beach is a real source of light that needs to be radiated around the larger community locally and across the United States,” he said.
Suleri said his business is steadily building bridges between Muslims and Jews, although the recent bloodshed poses the biggest challenge yet. About 1,200 Jews were killed in a surprise attack by Hamas militants on October 7. More than 18,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli counterattacks in Gaza.
But Suleli said the cafe remains an oasis where even distant conflicts have not disrupted the bonds the two communities have built.
“International politics and war will be kept away from our communities,” he said. “We don't have to worry about things that are out of our control.
“We all should always think and focus on our commonalities rather than our differences,” he added. “The common denominator, and you see it everywhere, is that everyone wants peace everywhere in the world.”
Schneier has made the cafe a home for concrete efforts to find common ground between groups in the midst of conflict. Recently, he brought 35 Jewish college students from New York City to a cafe and met with Muslim leaders, including a prominent imam from Queens.
He said the two groups may not see the situation in Israel and Gaza the same way, but they continue to have a civil and respectful dialogue.
“It's going well,” Schneier said. “We can agree to disagree without being offended. We do not intend to resolve disputes. It's 6,000 miles away. ”
Schneier's synagogue also recently hosted a Hanukkah party in its cafe, which drew about 90 Jews. One night, near the end of the eight-day festival, a rabbi and a Muslim cafe owner lit the menorah candles together.
Muslims also flock to cafes during major religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The bakery regularly caters events at local synagogues and mosques throughout Suffolk County. They sell everything from Jewish and Turkish sweets to wraps and challah, the traditional Jewish bread.
There is no pork as eating pork is prohibited under both kosher and halal regulations. Observant Jews also do not eat meat at all, as meat and dairy products cannot be combined. There is also no alcohol, as Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol.
The cafe's entrance looks like a cozy old hotel, with a brown-and-white striped awning and a high front porch with potted flowers. Inside is a large, cozy room with long rows of glossy glass cases displaying everything from cannolis to cakes to fried jelly croissants. Tables are scattered throughout, allowing customers to eat and chat with friends throughout the morning or afternoon.
In the summer, there is a line outside.
While people try to keep politics private, they also chat about things like real estate, the Hamptons scene and, of course, food, Sleri said.
An estimated 300,000 Jews and 100,000 Muslims live on Long Island, according to community leaders. Westhampton's overall population increases in the summer, and is further increased by people taking day trips to the Hamptons.
Mr. Sureli came to the United States from Pakistan in 1995 when he was in his early 20s. He lived for several years in the village of Monsee in Rockland County, which has a large Orthodox Jewish community.He also worked in the kosher movementWhile studying at nearby Rockland Community College, he visited upscale markets and learned the rules of keeping kosher.
He then moved to Long Island and opened Montauk Bake Shop and Villa Italian Specialties in East Hampton. When he heard from a real estate broker that the cafe was for sale and that the local Jewish community was worried it wouldn't remain kosher, he jumped at the chance.
People of both faiths say the cafe has become a popular gathering spot.
Sureli's idea was “not just to make money and make a profit,” said Adnan Sinar, 33, a Muslim resident of Amityville who frequents the cafe with his family. He is an ambassador of peace. ”
Shari Israel Zuckerman, a Jewish woman who lives in Westhampton Beach, is also a regular at the cafe.
“As far as I know, there hasn't been any particular friction in the past, and especially now,” she said. “This is a clear sign of hope that people can get along. Sometimes it's just the government that matters.”
Schneier noted that Islam and Judaism have much in common, and said he hopes the cafe's example will spread more widely.
“We live in a bubble,” he said. “While the conflict between Muslims and Jews is escalating all around us, here in the Hamptons, in Westhampton Beach, it's a true lovefest.”
As war rages in the Middle East, an example of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Jews is thriving in Westhampton Beach.
About five years ago, Rashid Suleli, a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, purchased the only kosher bakery in the East End and kept it kosher to serve the area's Jewish population. He also made it halal so Muslims can eat there too.
As tensions between Muslims and Jews rise in the United States and other parts of the world, Beach Bakery & Grand Cafe has become a symbol of how groups can get along despite their differences. ing.
Rabbi Mark Schneier, who heads Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, said the cafe is “a profound example of how Muslims and Jews can celebrate a spirit of cooperation rather than conflict.”
What you need to know
- Westhampton Bakeries and Cafes The Muslim-owned company is the only kosher business in the East End.
- Provided by Beach Bakery & Grand Cafe There is a large Jewish population in this area, and it has become a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Jews.
- one of the prominent local rabbis uses the cafe to host interfaith dialogue sessions between Jewish university students and Muslim leaders.
He is deeply involved in interfaith work through his cafe and nationally and internationally.
“The example we set in Westhampton Beach is a real source of light that needs to be radiated around the larger community locally and across the United States,” he said.
Suleri said his business is steadily building bridges between Muslims and Jews, although the recent bloodshed poses the biggest challenge yet. About 1,200 Jews were killed in a surprise attack by Hamas militants on October 7. More than 18,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli counterattacks in Gaza.
But Suleri said the cafe remains an oasis where even distant conflicts have not disrupted the bonds the two communities have built.
“International politics and war will be kept away from our communities,” he said. “We don't have to worry about things that are out of our control.
“We all should always think and focus on our commonalities rather than our differences,” he added. “The common denominator, and you see it everywhere, is that everyone wants peace everywhere in the world.”
Schneier has made the cafe a home for concrete efforts to find common ground between groups in the midst of conflict. Recently, he brought 35 Jewish college students from New York City to a cafe and met with Muslim leaders, including a prominent imam from Queens.
He said the two groups may not see the situation in Israel and Gaza the same way, but they continue to have a civil and respectful dialogue.
“It's going well,” Schneier said. “We can agree to disagree without being offended. We do not intend to resolve disputes. It's 6,000 miles away. ”
Schneier's synagogue also recently hosted a Hanukkah party in its cafe, which drew about 90 Jews. One night, near the end of the eight-day festival, a rabbi and a Muslim cafe owner lit the menorah candles together.
Muslims also flock to cafes during major religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The bakery regularly caters events at local synagogues and mosques throughout Suffolk County. They sell everything from Jewish and Turkish sweets to wraps and challah, the traditional Jewish bread.
There is no pork as eating pork is prohibited under both kosher and halal regulations. Observant Jews also do not eat meat at all, as meat and dairy products cannot be combined. There is also no alcohol, as Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol.
The cafe's entrance looks like a cozy old hotel, with a brown-and-white striped awning and a high front porch with potted flowers. Inside is a large, cozy room with long rows of glossy glass cases displaying everything from cannolis to cakes to fried jelly croissants. Tables are scattered throughout, allowing customers to eat and chat with friends throughout the morning or afternoon.
In the summer, there is a line outside.
While people try to keep politics private, they also chat about things like real estate, the Hamptons scene and, of course, food, Sleri said.
An estimated 300,000 Jews and 100,000 Muslims live on Long Island, according to community leaders. Westhampton's overall population increases in the summer, and is further increased by people taking day trips to the Hamptons.
Mr. Sureli came to the United States from Pakistan in 1995 when he was in his early 20s. He lived for several years in the village of Monsee in Rockland County, which has a large Orthodox Jewish community.He also worked in the kosher movementWhile studying at nearby Rockland Community College, he visited upscale markets and learned the rules of keeping kosher.
He then moved to Long Island and opened Montauk Bake Shop and Villa Italian Specialties in East Hampton. When he heard from a real estate broker that the cafe was for sale and that the local Jewish community was worried it wouldn't remain kosher, he jumped at the chance.
People of both faiths say the cafe has become a popular gathering spot.
Sureli's idea was “not just to make money and make a profit,” said Adnan Sinar, 33, a Muslim resident of Amityville who frequents the cafe with his family. He is an ambassador of peace. ”
Shari Israel Zuckerman, a Jewish woman who lives in Westhampton Beach, is also a regular at the cafe.
“As far as I know, there hasn't been any particular friction in the past, and especially now,” she said. “This is a clear sign of hope that people can get along. Sometimes it's just the government that matters.”
Schneier noted that Islam and Judaism have much in common, and said he hopes the cafe's example will spread more widely.
“We live in a bubble,” he said. “While the conflict between Muslims and Jews is escalating all around us, here in the Hamptons, in Westhampton Beach, it's a true lovefest.”
