Jewish and Muslim Families in Viral Anti-Trump Photo Share Shabbat Dinner

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — The two families captured in a viral photo taken at Chicago’s O’Hare airport during a demonstration of President Donald Trump’s Muslim travel ban had a Shabbat meal together.
The Yildirim family, who are Muslim, on Friday night joined Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell and his family for Shabbat dinner at their home in Deerfield, Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The Yildirim family brought as a gift a drawing by their 7-year-old daughter, Meryem, of the photo that brought them together. The Bendat-Appells put it in a place of honor on the refrigerator, according to the report.
The photo, taken by Chicago Tribune photographer Nuccio DiNuzzo, shows a Jewish boy wearing a kippah and a Muslim girl wearing a hijab holding protest signs while they both sit on their fathers’ shoulders during the O’Hare protest.
The families had exchanged contact information at the airport after talking about sharing a Shabbat meal in celebration of peace, the Tribune reported.
Bendat-Appell and Fatih Yildirim told reporters the two had been discussing where to find a good kosher steakhouse when the photo was taken.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
