Increasing the peace

The founder of Def Jam brings imams, rabbis together

INTERVIEW. In an unprecedented meeting of American religious leaders, imams and rabbis from 11 cities around the country will descend on New York City for dialogue about the relationship between their communities.

The man behind tomorrow’s summit? Russell Simmons.
While the founder of Def Jam records, the Phat Farm clothing label and the Hip Hop Summit Action Network says he feels like an unlikely facilitator for such an event, Simmons stands behind his Foundation for Ethnic Understanding’s call for increased communication between Jews and Muslims and says he believes in their ability to find common ground.

What made you want to get involved in this meeting?
It was my idea. It came to me from all the stuff that is happening in the world right now. A lot of the time, people use religion to do so much dirt politically, so people need to go back to dialogue in which you bring cousins — because both groups are children of Abraham — together, and you find that they have more in common than they do in difference. The ties to the religion and all the prophets came at different times with different raps, but saying the same thing over and over again: The science of religion will bring you to this state of happiness, this union with god. This idea is the same in all major religions. This is good because, when you put them all in a room where they can’t escape each other, it comes back to the basis of religion — which is spiritual. That’s the idea.

What do you see as your role in this discussion?
I don’t know that I have any more reason to be there than Paris Hilton would. I don’t know what I have to do with that dialogue, but it feels like the right thing to do. The fact is, it’s the kind of thing that needs attention. I’m a chairman of a number of organizations, and the resources I’ve been given are good for a number of different things. In the beginning, I was honored because I’ve had good relations with people within the Jewish community. I see the parallels to the struggles within the black community and, now, I see that with Islamophobia. It’s not only anti-Semitism that affects the community — everyone should want for each other what they want for themselves. If you’re a Jew, you should fight Islamophobia. If you’re a Muslim, you should fight anti-Semitism. That’s your job. You want to relieve fear and promote love. That’s why I go to work for this foundation.

Are you feeling anxious about how you’ll be received by both sides?
The whole time I’m fearful and I’m full of anxiety of these things I know, but I have faith that these ideas are true. I have faith in the process, and even if you do these things for your own peace, eliminate your own fear by relieving the fear of others. The common yoga path is the path to enlightenment by doing the work. So, you do the work and try to achieve enlightenment by removing the negativity around you, but I ain’t there.

Some people know you as the founder of Def Jam, others as a yogi, an activist and, at the very least, Blair Underwood’s character in “Krush Groove.” How do you view yourself, going forward?
I don’t know. I have new businesses, and I try to find good reasons for each one, or I don’t do them. I know the functions of giving and getting, and when you give something that provides good, lasting and stable happiness, you get good, lasting and stable happiness in return. Now I want to find things that I think are directly related to lasting, stable happiness for me. To find the freedom I’m looking for and make my businesses matter. The more I get, the more I can give. So, I’m trying to be a conscious businessman, try to make my yoga class every day, try not to miss my medication and try to live up to some of the ideals I’ve promoted.


Reason for hope

Rabbi Marc Schneier, Simmons’ partner in the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, says he is optimistic about the upcoming meeting.

“I can reflect on the evolution of Christian-Jewish relationships in the country. Fifty years ago, they were far from the state of where they are today, and I believe it was the national conference of Christians and Jews who called for a brotherhood day and for cooperation. It’s a process, but I am optimistic.”

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