Frequently Asked Questions
Learn what to expect from Daughters of Abraham in North Texas.
Why are you called “Daughters of Abraham”?
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are often called the Abrahamic faiths because all three trace their roots to Abraham and belief in one God. As a women’s interfaith group, we call ourselves
Daughters of Abraham.
May women who practice other faiths participate?
Any woman with a desire to become more spiritually connected with women of other faiths may attend. To keep discussions focused, discussion at our meetings is limited to the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Why and how did Daughters of Abraham begin?
If you search for “Daughters of Abraham,” you will find other groups with the same name, even around the world. We did not know that when we started our groups here in Texas shortly after 9/11. Janice Harris Lord was watching the towers fall on 9/11 and began feeling called to do something. Within a few months, she reached out to clergy from the three faiths to help her identify six women from each faith, for a total of 18, interested in forming long-term interfaith relationships. The goal was to move from curiosity to genuine respect to loving one another as sisters. The women first met in January 2002, and some of that original group still participate alongside newer women.
How many groups and women are involved?
Thousands of women in the Dallas/Fort Worth area have participated over the years. Our local groups are listed on the Join Us page. Many women who have participated and moved elsewhere have started groups of their own. We do not require them to report back to us. Some groups are large, with 50–60 participants per meeting, and others are smaller.
What do you do at your meetings?
Groups meet monthly, with morning and evening options. Most meetings involve discussion of a pre-selected topic. Some groups choose topics for the year at one time; others decide at each meeting what to discuss next. Most groups rotate meetings among a synagogue, a church and a mosque, with the host faith group providing the discussion facilitator and refreshments, except during Ramadan. We usually use a discussion format rather than a presentation or lecture, except for an occasional guest speaker. Discussion focuses on the women’s personal faith-based experiences, emphasizing commonalities without ignoring differences. Summer book-review gatherings offer another opportunity to connect. For schedules and local details, contact your local group.
Do you have meeting guidelines?
Some groups have more specific guidelines than others, but all agree to two basic principles:
• We do not proselytize, or seek to convert.
• We do not discuss politics.
Our goal is to focus on commonalities and form lasting, positive relationships. Proselytizing and advocating for particular political candidates are both ways of saying “Mine is better than yours,” which we want to avoid. We honor women’s right to practice their own political persuasions in other settings.
Do men have similar groups, and why don’t you meet together?
Our focus is a women’s group where participants can share personal faith, build friendships and grow in understanding. Related interfaith groups may have different formats. For the Sons of Abraham announcement and contact details, see our homepage.
Can I start a group in my community?
Yes! Read How to Start a Daughters of Abraham Group (PDF) to see how we do it. We are available to help if you need encouragement; contact us. There are also Daughters of Abraham Book Clubs in other locations. Visit daughtersofabraham.com to learn about those groups.
Download the original FAQ (Word document). The original document is preserved for reference and may contain older wording.