Dear Friend, As we enter into the springtime holy seasons for Abrahamic and other faith traditions, March brings the month of Ramadan followed in April by Western and Orthodox Easter Week and Passover. This year ICNY is working with the Gambian Youth Organization and Bridging Cultures to provide meals for mosques in the Bronx and Brooklyn that have been housing and supporting thousands of migrants from Senegal, Mauritania, Sudan, and Cameroon. March is also Women's History Month and we encourage you to look for social media posts from ICNY highlighting outstanding women of faith such as Dharma Master Cheng Yen, Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray and more, who have blazed the way for other women leaders, be they Buddhist, Anglican, Hindu, or Muslim. You can visit out social media pages here for more information. Finally, as Spring approaches so does the ICNY James Parks Morton Interfaith Award--to be held this year on June 10th at the Tribeca Rooftop. Please mark your calendars and be on the lookout for exciting details soon. Ready to come a sponsor or to secure your spot today? Visit us here; we look forward to seeing you in June. Sincerely, |
|  | The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ICNY Executive Director |
| | | | SAVE THE DATE 2024 James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Monday, June 10th 2024 Tribeca Rooftop, NYC The James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards gala is a vibrant gathering place for a diverse collection of two hundred fifty plus of our city’s residents including religious and civic leaders, past and current honorees, members of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Center of New York, donors, and friends. The event celebrates the recipients of the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award and raises funds to allow the Interfaith Center of New York to continue to provide tools and education to grassroots religious leaders from disenfranchised communities. Ticket Holders and Table Sponsors (and their guests) are invited to join us at 6:30 pm for cocktails on the rooftop (weather permitting) followed by a seated dinner at 7:30 pm. The James Parks Morton Interfaith Award is named in tribute of The Interfaith Center of New York’s founder the Very Rev. James Parks Morton and recognizes individuals or organizations that exemplify an outstanding commitment to promoting human development and peace — values shared by the world’s great religious traditions. A thorough vetting process is conducted of nominated candidates, taking into account their lifetime achievements and contributions towards increasing respect and mutual understanding among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and cultural traditions. Click here to become an early sponsor or ticket holder. |
| |  | Summer Institute for K-12 Teachers Religious Worlds of New York July 2024 Applications Due March 5 In today’s climate of religious bigotry and extremism, K-12 teachers can help promote understanding across faith lines. ICNY's Religious Worlds of New York summer institute gives teachers the tools they need to build a more inclusive society. Public, private, and faith-based school teachers are invited to apply for the next Religious Worlds institute – a three-week program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, that helps teachers teach creatively and effectively about religious diversity. The institute will meet from July 8 to 26, 2024, on the campus of Union Theological Seminary. Participants receive a $2,850 stipend to help pay their travel, housing, and living expenses. Past participants describe the institute as “A tremendous experience that will enrich the teaching that takes place in classrooms across the country for decades to come.” (click here for many more evaluations) Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the religious worlds of New York! Teachers, please visit religiousworldsnyc.org to learn more and apply. Applications are due March 5. If you’re not a K-12 teacher yourself, please share this opportunity with teachers in your community – just click the following links for easy-to-share posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. |
| | |  | Public Safety Series Register Today: Disarming Hate Series Begins March 13! Since our 2021 Marshall Meyer Retreat “New York Faith Communities Respond to Gun Violence,” ICNY has been committed to anti-gun violence and public safety advocacy. Though NYC has seen a decrease in gun-related crimes since the pandemic, we recognize a growing and alarming trend in hate-crimes and biases — a critical component we must address in our public safety programming. There is a demonstrated need to respond to various forms of hatred and bias embodied in xenophobia, stereotypes, and prejudice. Trusted faith leaders are often the first stop for intimate issues among the community, making them uniquely positioned to interrupt cycles of harm and violence. ICNY’s three-part “Disarming Hate” series equips diverse faith leaders with an opportunity to address what we have identified as three main pillars of public safety: 1) understanding the root causes of violence, 2) prevention and intervention strategies, and 3) restorative justice. In each segment, we bring in key partners (e.g., cure violence organizations, violence interrupters, religious leaders and public advocates) to bring refreshed vocabulary, methods, and advocacy tools to address violence in our communities. Part I speakers include Rana Abdelhamid (Malikah) and Danielle Williams (CONNECT)! Read more here. |
| |  | Webinar for Attorneys and the General Public Free Exercise and Reproductive Rights: Faith-Based Responses to Dobbs v. Jackson Thursday, March 6:00-7:30 PM ET Free and Open to All, with CLE Credit for NY Attorneys Please join the Interfaith Center of New York, New York Law School, and Columbia Law School’s Law, Rights, and Religion Project for a conversation about religious freedom and reproductive rights. All are welcome, and New York State attorneys can earn 1.5 hours of continuing legal education credit. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization was hailed by some as a victory for faith in legal debate. Since then, however, many scholars, advocates, and religious leaders have argued that the Court’s decision overturning the right to abortion infringes on the First Amendment “free exercise” rights of women and families whose faiths embrace reproductive choice. This online dialogue will explore faith-based pro-choice responses to Dobbs. Speakers will include legal scholars from NYLS and LRRP; policy advocates from Catholics for Choice and Hindus for Human Rights; and the attorneys representing Jewish women in the Kentucky case of Sobel v. Cameron. Registration will open soon! Meanwhile, please email henry@interfaithcenter.org if you would like to attend or have questions about the program. |
| | | A Call for Submissions from NYC Faith Communities Interfaith Scripture Project on Rikers Island ICNY is piloting a program of interfaith reading, reflection, and conversation for people in custody at New York’s Rikers Island correctional facilities. A visiting chaplain will distribute and lead group discussions of short passages, drawn from scriptures of diverse religious traditions, related to themes of interest to participants, such as justice, community, and resilience. Passages will be selected by faith leaders and community members from across New York City, who will also provide short, written introductions to the passages. The program is based on the established practice of “Scriptural Reasoning” – click here to learn more about it. People of diverse religious traditions live side-by-side in jails and prisons across the United States. Individuals may see and hear others praying, studying, and discussing ideas they never encountered before. However, correctional facilities rigidly segregate group worship according to individuals’ registered religious affiliations. Lack of interfaith opportunities may reinforce groups’ biases against each other. Facilitated interfaith discussion groups provide a setting in which they can learn about and from each other, dispel misconceptions and combat prejudices, and share the beliefs and values that help them endure and grow under the most difficult circumstances. We are looking for faith leaders, seminarians, and community members to help us create a library of sacred texts selected specifically for this program. Click here for submission guidelines. If you would like to contribute, please complete our form or contact Scott Blumenthal at scott@interfaithcenter.org. ICNY will help you select a theme for your contribution and answer any questions you have. |
| | | New Expanded Options & Additional Funding: Houses of Worship & FBO Shelters for Asylum Seekers |
|  |  | New York City has recently approved additional food funding and a 15-bed option for houses of worship (HOW) and faith-based organizations (FBO) seeking to partner with NYDIS to shelter asylum seekers that continue to arrive in NYC on a daily basis. - 19 Beds: These shelters are now approved for a $50,000 monthly funding which increases the food allowance. Sites are still required to have a Sprinkler System and Central Monitoring System
- 15 Beds: These shelters are now approved for a $47,500 monthly funding which increases the food allowance. Sites are not required to have a Sprinkler System or Central Monitoring System but are required to meet all other code requirements.
Our Outreach Team looks forward to working with you to determine your eligibility. As a reminder, this program provides a safe haven for migrants and asylum seekers in dire need – and represents a significant service to our community and cost savings to NYC. NYDIS will support you house of worship with training, all shelter supplies, a monthly allowance advance, and regular operational assistance onsite. |
| | |  | Volunteer Opportunities Want to Volunteer to Help Asylum Seekers? The Interfaith Center is proud to work with so many fantastic social service organizations who provide essential goods and services to the Newest New Yorker. If you, or your community, is looking to give back to this population, consider one of the following volunteer opportunities, or visit ICNY's Volunteer Opportunity page: -
East Village Neighbors Who Care provides food, clothing, and information while offering a warming center for people waiting in line at the St. Brigid's reticketing center Groups : Food Group, Food Dispatch Group, Non-Food Donations Group, Shelter Group, Resources Group, Translation Group, Admin Group, Fundraising Group, Warming Group, Social Media Group Information and Sign-up : https://linktr.ee/EVNC -
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan will be conducting a Spring + Summer Clothing Drive for Children from new immigrant families in District 3 public schools from March 11 - 22. Help ensure that students have the clothing they need for the spring and summer seasons: Where : 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th Street Donate : https://mmjccm.org/adults/social-responsibility-volunteering/donation-drives To host a collection : contact jcharriez@mmjccm.org Volunteer to sort clothing : https://mmjccm.org/volunteer-opportunities Needed: spanish-conversant tutors to tutor children in NYC schools through Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math program https://mmjccm.org/adults/social-responsibility-volunteering/volunteer/koopersmith-family-literacy-math-program Family Literacy + Math Program Contact : (litmath@mmjccm.org.) -
Team TLC NYC / Artists, Athletes, Activists Night Owl Team greets asylum seekers arriving at Penn Station between 10:00 PM and 11:00 AM daily. Volunteers are trained, directed, and supervised by team leaders from Artists Athletes Activists to greet and assist asylum seekers who, arriving in a huge, strange city in the middle of the night with no money, no transportation, and no friends, would otherwise be lost. Here is a chance to genuinely rescue people in peril. Sign - Up : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0949AAA82BA4FF2-47151928-night#/ Where : Penn Station When : Shifts from 10pm - 1am, 1am - 5am, 5am - 8am, 8am -11am Needed : Spanish speakers |
| | | OTHER EVENTS & ANNOUNCMENTS *Listing does not imply endorsement by the Interfaith Center of New York |
|  | Malikah National Muslim Women's Summit March 2nd, 12:30-8:00 P.M Islamic Center at NYU Every year Malikah hosts the National Muslim Women’s Summit. This is our eighth summit and serves as one of the few nation-wide opportunities for social justice minded Muslim women to connect and discuss the current status of Muslim women in America and our collective vision for the future. We will be focused on how to build safety and collective power for Muslim women in NYC and beyond. In today’s climate of Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of hate, Muslim women are more vulnerable than ever. Yet we also have more tools than ever before to organize, strategize, and build power in, for, and with our communities. Malikah will train all participants to the summit in trauma informed facilitation and will provide a mental health facilitation guide so that participants can bring Malikah's mental health framework to their community. All participants will join a community of women and girls dedicated to building safety and power for their communities. This year we are honored to welcome as our keynote speaker and Malikah of the Year Award Recipient: Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Click the button below to learn more and get tickets. |
| |  | National Reading Month Honoring BIPOC+ Local Authors Noura's Extraordinary Superpower Reda Taleb is a native Detroiter, and the proud daughter of Lebanese Muslim immigrants. She is a strategic, transformative leader, with a demonstrated history of over 15 years of nonprofit experience that spans civic, legal, entrepreneurial, and social justice movements across the United States. Reda is a certified trauma informed healing facilitator, decarceration advocate, podcaster, spoken word poet, author, and grassroots servant community leader. Click the button below to learn more and to purchase the book. |
| |  | Job Opening Riverside Church: Minister for Congregational Care and Older Adults The Minister for Congregational Care and Older Adults at The Riverside Church is an experienced leader and energetic motivator with a heart for care that transforms individuals, systems, and structures. In collaboration with senior leadership, they will lead the planning and facilitation of a comprehensive pastoral care program for The Riverside Church community. This leader will work closely with and serve as a resource to the Senior Minister, clergy team, lay leaders, and the church’s various care ministries to ensure timely and appropriate spiritual care for members along every step of life’s journey. With a vision that honors the diverse generations within the church, they will provide focused leadership for the programs and initiatives that support Riverside’s Older Adult Ministries. Additionally, they will offer pastoral guidance for the work of welcoming and integrating new members. Click the button below to learn more about the position and apply. |
| |  | Interreligious Commission of the Diocese of New York A Series of Five Educational Forums on Facing Christian Anti-Judaism March 14th & 21st, April 18th 7:00-8:30 P.M Zoom Forum Session 3: Thursday March 14, 2024
Sacred Music and Hymnody This session will focus on sacred music that directly or indirectly implies or advances anti-Judaism and supersessionism. The music we sing in our liturgies, whether hymns or anthems form us and are a reflection of our theology. However, poetry is not always as clear cut and sometimes affords us room for broader interpretation. Sometimes it does not. Session 4: Thursday March 21, 2024
Preaching: John’s Passion Gospel The impact of standard Christian preaching on Jews and Judaism. This session will include more Bible study, so please have your Bibles ready. We will focus on issues with the Gospel of John’s Passion Narrative, which we hear on Good Friday every year. Session 5: Thursday April 18, 2024
A Peace Proposal for Jews and Christians Dr. Charry is working on a new book — a peace proposal for Jews and Christians. She will introduce us to the themes of the book and her hopes in writing it. Click the button below to register. These forums are free of charge. |
| |  | The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) works to overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city's grassroots religious and civic leaders and their communities. |
| Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute PSI Continuing Education: "Beneath the Surface: And Online Introductory Journey into Depth Psychology" Fridays from April 12th-May 17th, 11:00 A.M-12:30 P.M ET Online 9 CECs TO NYSED CERTIFIED LMSWS, LCSWS, LMFTS, LMHCS & LCATS
Join the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute (PSI) for an introductory course on depth psychology for healing professionals, where we will hold curiosity and attention to the hidden factors that guide our lives. In this course, we will discuss core principles, dive into dreams, and experience the symbolic language of our bodies. These tools will not only enrich your clinical work but also your personal life.
OUR SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE 3 MODULES
FOUNDATIONS & THE SACRED
Topics include: persona, shadow, archetype, individual/collective unconscious, synchronicity, and the numinous
DREAM WORK AS SOUL WORK
Topics include: dreams, symbols, association, amplification, active imagination, and social dreaming
EMBODIED MYTHOLOGY
Topics include: soma and Psyche, archetypes, myth, movement, and symbolic symptoms |
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