 | | | Dear Friend, Last month we saw the truly horrific attacks on Israeli civilians launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023. We pray for the safe return of more than 200 hostages who range in age from very young children to the elderly. We grieve for the 1.8 million Palestinian civilians suffering under the Israeli siege and bombardment of Gaza, and for the 5,700 Palestinian fatalities to date—of which 2,360 are children. We pray for all who are suffering. We pray for a rapid end to this war. In New York City and around the country, we have seen a dramatic increase in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims, and Arabs. As an organization that “seeks to make New York and the world safe for religious diversity,” we need your help to address the recent sharp rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia. ICNY is part of a coalition supporting religious liberty education in NYC Public Schools. On Oct. 25th we testified before the City Council Education Committee in support of Resolution 476 (see above). In the coming days, you may receive invitations to take part in events to combat Islamophobia and Antisemitism. I hope you will join them, or plan similar events in your own community, for the following reasons: - Our anger at one another will not bring the innocent dead back to life, or create a just peace in the Holy Land.
- Our sense of disappointment in longstanding allies is difficult to bear. It will take hard work to rebuild these relationships— work that is rife with the risk of rejection. The time to start this healing process is now.
- The social challenges facing New York City have not disappeared as the fighting continues in Israel and Palestine. New York needs our interfaith partnerships and collaborative work. Turning our backs on one another will not help us house migrants, educate children, fight racial inequality, or promote mental health.
As one survivor of the October 7th attack said, “We can do it all. We can fight for our families held hostage by Hamas, stand against occupation, stand with impacted Israelis, stand up for innocent Palestinians.” If they can do it all, so can we. Bias and hate crimes NYC since Oct. 7: Resources to combat anti-semitism and Islamophobia: Here are materials from ING Islamic Network Group for addressing antisemitism and islamophobia in the context of the current conflict in the Middle East. Likewise these resources from the Interfaith Alliance and from the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign may also be helpful. Sincerely, | |  | The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ICNY Executive Director P.S. Please consider signing a letter of support for the Right To Shelter linked here. | | | | | | | | | |  | Conference for Attorneys and the General Public Religious Liberty and Diversity: Securing Free Exercise in a Multifaith Democracy November 17th, 9:00 A.M-1:00 P.M New York Law School's Abbey Hall (185 West Broadway) Free and Open to All ICNY is proud to cosponsor a conference on “Religious Liberty and Diversity” with New York Law School and the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Columbia Law School. Please join us as we work to restore an inclusive vision of free exercise that protects the rights of all Americans. See the flyer above for more details about the program. All are welcome, and New York State attorneys will receive four hours of continuing legal education credit. The conference will be held at New York Law School’s Abbey Hall (185 West Broadway, in Lower Manhattan) on Friday, November 17, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Registration is free, and open now. Click here, scan the QR code above, or press the button below to register. | | | |  | PAC NYC World Premier Watch Night November 3rd-18th Perelman Performing Arts Center 251 Fulton Street An immersive exploration of justice and forgiveness in the face of deadly rage, featuring a multifaith panel discussion convened by ICNY and PAC NYC. In the wake of deadly hate crimes against a neighboring synagogue and AME church, an opportunistic reporter seeks out a sensational story while congregants wrestle with faith and identity, trauma and healing. Watch Night is a world premier multidisciplinary performance conceived by renowned choreographer/ director Bill T. Jones and poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph. Fusing fiery opera, sacred music, percussive breath, and contemporary dance, Watch Night embodies an American hope that refuses to forget while striving to forgive. Limited run from Friday, November 3 through Saturday, November 18. Don't miss this sonically explosive world premier! Click here or click the button below for detailed information and ticket sales.  And on Sunday, November 12, at 5:00 pm, please join ICNY and PAC NYC for a multifaith conversation about Watch Night. Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey of Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn, Rabbi Joy Levitt of Central Synagogue and the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan, and choreographer/director Bill T. Jones will reflect on faith, justice, and forgiveness. The panel discussion is free and open to all. It follows the Sunday matinee performance of Watch Night, but ticket purchase is not required. | | | |  |  | NYC Needs Your House of Worship Support the Newest New Yorkers by Sheltering Asylees Since last summer, over 44,000 asylum seekers have arrived on their own or been transported to New York City without regard for their wellbeing. Hundreds continue to arrive each week. The NYC shelter system, hotels and alternative housing sites have been overwhelmed as asylum seekers try to find safe shelter while awaiting immigration court proceedings. While most are single men, single women and families with children are also arriving. Many of these fellow global citizens in crisis have fled unimaginable conditions in their country of origin and then experienced an arduous journey on their way to New York City. The city has been providing hotels, homeless shelters, and other mass care spaces as housing on a temporary basis. We are proposing to fund congregations, of any faith tradition, to provide temporary small group shelter housing to single adult male and female asylees. The program would provide shelter for the next 12-24 months while all of us continue to call on the state and Federal government to help address this need for more permanent housing. We are seeking houses of worship in all faith traditions that can meet the practical requirements outlined in the flyer above. In exchange for your hospitality, congregations will be paid a monthly fee -- to cover all required operating expenses related to meeting each asylees' basic human needs and to offset space use costs. Click the buttons below if your house of worship can help. | | | | | | | | OTHER EVENTS & ANNOUNCMENTS | |  | Volunteer Opportunity to Assist with Asylum Seekers Clothing Drive October 30th & 31st 334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th St Marlene Meyerson JCC is running a clothing drive and needs volunteers in the final days of October. Volunteers will sort and distribute items from their Clothing Drive to support students in District 3 Public Schools. Sorting takes place in the JCC lobby (334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St.) and folks can sign up for shifts on Oct. 30th and 31st at by clicking the button below. | | | |  | Volunteer with HIAS Help Asylum Seekers Access Essential Services HIAS is looking for long-term and short-term volunteers to help Asylum Seekers access Essential Services. Volunteering includes writing resumes, holding mock job interviews, building English Language Skills, fostering community, and so much more. Learn more and apply to be a volunteer by clicking the button below. | | | |  | Volunteer Opportunity The Migrant Center of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi The Migrant Center of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, needs intake coordinators, translators, and especially legal assistance at their site, where they help asylum seekers apply for asylum. For more information or for immigration assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Julian Jagudilla, O.F.M. at 212-736-8500 ext. 377 or at migrantcenter@stfrancisnyc.org. | | | |  | Join the Discussion Immigration: Where are we now? Where are we headed? Where do we want to be? Wednesday, November 8th, 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. Zoom With Mayor Eric Adams claiming New York City is doomed if we don't control the refugee "crisis,"
with President Joseph Biden reneging on his opposition to a border wall and actually deciding to build more wall, and with Pope Francis, in contrast, saying "In whatever place we decide to build our future, in the country of our birth or elsewhere, the important thing is that there always be a community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate everyone, without distinctions and without excluding anyone.
How do we respond as migratory people since the beginning of time and as people of faith?
Hear:
Dr. Rosemarie Pace, Ed.D.
Pilgrim to the U.S.-Mexican Border
Fr. Julian Jagudilla, OFM
Director of the Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi
NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (tbd) Click the button below to email your RSVP and get the zoom link. | | | |  | Workshop Breathwork & Meditation for Clinicians November 4th, 11th, 18th & December 2nd, 9th, 16th, 10:00 - 11:15 A.M. Online Join us for a six-week, online workshop with facilitator Rebeca Brau Martinez. This experiential course will shed light on the profound significance of breathwork in bolstering wellbeing, grounding, and cultivating presence. 7.5 Continuing Education Credits (CECs/CEUs) available to NYS licensed clinicians. Studies demonstrate that mindful breathing lowers stress hormones, promotes emotional regulation, and enhances cognitive function, all indispensable tools for clinicians. 75 minute sessions will cover: - The basic mechanics of breath and the science behind breathwork
- Potent breathing techniques that will empower you to reduce stress and boost energy levels
- The fascinating connection between breathwork and the Polyvagal Theory For more info & registration, click the button below. | | | |  | Workshop Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Clinicians November 9th & 16th, 3:30 - 5:00 P.M. Online Cultivating mindfulness and meditation reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. For mental health clinicians these benefits can support wellness, minimize burnout and provide a foundation for incorporating mindfulness and meditation into clinical practice. This experiential workshop, comprised of two 1.5 hours sessions, introduces clinicians to the benefits that mindfulness and meditation can have in cultivating resilience and emotional intelligence for themselves and their clients. 3 continuing education credits available to NYSED LMSWs/LCSWs/LMHCs/LMFTs/LCATs who attend both sessions. For more info & registration click the button below. | | | |  | Episcopal Charities Episcopal Charities 2023 Tribute Dinner Monday, December 4th, 6:30 P.M The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York Please join us as we honor: THE RT. REV. ANDREW ML DIETSCHE
XVI Bishop of New York
CHARLIE GARLAND
Hamlin Capital Management, LLC
COMMUNITY JUSTICE AWARD
INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK
Accepted by The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer Click the button below to learn more/buy tickets. | | | | | | 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. | | | | | |
