In 2008, a continuing education committee of The United Methodist Church, under the leadership of layman, Dick Thompson, approached Imam Kasim Kopuz of the Islamic Organization about doing an interfaith event in the Binghamton area.

​

Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell of Temple Concord and Rabbi Tziona Szajman of Temple Israel were invited to help plan and participate in the event.

​

This committee grew from the auspices of the Methodist Church to the  community-based Children of Abraham. The Unitarian Universalist pastor, additional Christian clergy, and laypersons from various congregations joined us.

​

Our first event, called "The Children of Abraham: Abraham, Sarah, Hagar—Healing the Rift" was held at the Islamic Association of the Southern Tier in May of 2009 drew over 150 persons from various Abrahamic congregations. Jews, Christians, and Muslims gathered in a tent, representing the tent of hospitality in the stories of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar.

​