Something is happening in Omaha, Nebraska: a plan to build a mosque, synagogue, church, and interfaith center side-by-side. Connected by a circular wooden bridge, an organic donation garden, and a quietly disruptive vision, can this new model of coexistence in the American Midwest bridge the rising currents of division?
Abraham’s Bridge is a short documentary following the Tri-Faith Initiative from an initial idea in 2005 to the present day, as diverse communities work together to construct their dream, confront unanticipated challenges, and look towards an uncertain future.
“As provocative as it is beautiful, Abraham's Bridge offers audiences a stunning visual experience and compelling evidence that civility can prevail over forces of division. Ellie Pierce puts a spotlight on coexistence and serves up an antidote to despair. It is a must-see film for congregations, religious leaders, civic educators, and, perhaps, anyone with a heart.”
Dr. Celene Ibrahim, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Groton School
“Ellie Pierce is a keen and compassionate observer of interreligious life in the United states. Her latest project, ABRAHAM’s BRIDGE, is a beautiful, cinematic case study that both inspires and challenges. This film invites deep reflection, conversation, and action for the common good.”
Rabbi Or n. Rose | Miller Center for interreligious learning & Leadership, Hebrew College & Interfaith America
“Abraham’s Bridge is a beautiful account of a moving experiment co-created by Jews, Christians, and Muslims in America’s heartland. It is also a rich source that poses complex questions in an open-ended way. As such, it is extraordinarily valuable for teaching and as a basis for community conversations.”
Dr. Peter Levine | Tisch college of Civic life, Tufts University
“I wholeheartedly recommend Abraham’s Bridge. It is a poetic and essential story for understanding both the beauty and difficulty that can arise when people with distinct religious identities decide to co-locate their houses of worship. Without skirting the challenges, the film is ultimately a testament to what is possible if we keep showing up and refuse to lose sight of our shared humanity.”
Dr. Jennifer Howe Peace | AUTHOR & Interfaith Leader
“Abraham’s Bridge is a must-see film that beautifully captures the garden of humanity, with all its thorns and flowers. It offers a courageous bridge into the lives of others to reveal the deeply human reality of interreligious encounters like no other. With elegance and honesty, it explores the everyday challenges of nurturing religiously diverse communities and individuals in a modern democracy. Regardless of one’s orientation to religion, the film invites everyone to wrestle with the shared human task of co-creating a flourishing community. I wholeheartedly recommend this film and will be suggesting it to all of my colleagues and showing it to all of my students.”
Dr. HANS GUSTAFSON | Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies, University of St. Thomas
Trailer
our TEAM
Our team includes Producer/Director Ellie Pierce, Cinematographer Justin Limoges, and Editor Jon Mercer (in partnership with Pixela Films).
Tri-Faith’s leaders and members offered their help and hospitality during more than three years of production on Abraham’s Bridge. We are sincerely grateful for their participation.
ENGAGEMENT PARTNERS
We are thrilled to have local, national, and international partners on the film, including: House of One; Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies; Interfaith America; Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas; Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership; the Pluralism Project at Harvard University; the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign; and, the Tri-Faith Initiative.
If you would like to connect with our engagement campaign, please contact us.
Funding Partners
Thank you to our generous funding partners, including: Humanities Nebraska and Nebraska Cultural Endowment; an Advancing Public Scholarship Grant from Luce/American Academy of Religion; the Argosy Foundation; and the Lindsay Jones Memorial Research Fund of the Architecture, Culture, and Spirituality Forum.
