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Functional bias is the assumption that one's particular skill is the most suitable skill for any problem. Jews are conflict avoiders. We prefer peaceful resolution through dialogue, and therefore want to believe that conflicts can be resolved in that manner. If that happens to not be the case, we often don't know what to do.
Suhaib Webb, the controversial imam of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, which is the biggest mosque in Boston, has announced that he will resign as imam to dedicate his time to training new imams at the ISBCC's madrassa - the Ella Collins Institute. Ronne Friedman, the rabbi of the biggest synagogue in Boston, Temple Israel, is a fan of Webb, promoting him as a true moderate and friend of the Jews. In January, Friedman welcomed Webb to speak from the bimah at Temple Israel, saying that "we have a great opportunity for true progress in this city because of the current lead- ership of Imam Webb ... [and] his openness to the Jewish community."
Webb returned the sweetness calling Rabbi Friedman "a mentor and ... a friend and a brave person. ... We have to begin to take each other as brothers and sisters ... to learn not to believe the things that we are told about each other ... to hug each other and love each other..." "Kumbaya" at its best.
That was then. With the Hamas war against Israel, Webb's moder- ate "openness"...