How To Run An Interfaith Project

Social action is a great way to build relationships between different communities. Most Mitzvah Day projects work well as an interfaith project. For project specific information, please refer to the relevant How-To Guide on the Mitzvah Day website.

Before Mitzvah Day

Connect with another faith community

You may already have a relationship with a local faith community, and reaching out to them about Mitzvah Day could be a useful way to build this connection further. If not, the Mitzvah Day team can help you to find a community in your local area, and facilitate your first meeting together.

Meet with another faith community

It’s best to meet face-to-face with representatives from the other communities to discuss running a Mitzvah Day project. This meeting might be at the place of worship for one of the communities, and could also involve a tour around the building.

While discussing project possibilities, focus on the issues or causes close to the communities’ hearts. If there is a charitable cause that one of the communities is already involved in, this might be an easy idea to develop.

Remember to bear in mind particular religious and cultural sensitivities, such as dietary requirements and modesty codes, which could arise as part of the discussions.

Register your project

Register your community or organisation, adding details about the other faith partner(s) when you sign up. The Mitzvah Day team is available to help you build a successful and long-lasting partnership, so please get in touch.

Click Here to Register

General Tips

Dietary Requirements

Be aware of different dietary requirements.  If in doubt, just ask them! 

Personal Space

Some people may not be comfortable interacting closely or having physical contact with members of a different gender. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution.

Taking Photos

Not everyone will be comfortable having their photograph taken, so always check before taking a photo.

Prayer Times

Be sensitive to prayer times, for example, some Christians may have less availability on Sundays, and some Muslims may have prior requirements during their day which need to be factored in.

Religious Traditions

Different religious traditions have different theological beliefs. If you feel that this could be an impediment to the development of individual relationships, try to find ways to mediate this, such as using a neutral venue or focusing primarily on the joint social action project and shared values.

Help Each Other

Assume goodwill! Everyone is there to help others. If something makes you uncomfortable, presume that there was no intention to offend, and the resulting discussion will be much more good natured.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on Mitzvah Day’s Charity Partners page where we list some of the key charities that would welcome your support.
Send us your high resolution photos and do remember to share them on social media, tagging Mitzvah Day @mitzvahday and use the hashtag #mitzvahday2024 #MDStrongerTogether.