Pictured above is Multifaith Mondays: Witness to Democracy, at Columbus Circle 3/24/2025 | | Dear Friend, In his Executive Order, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” President Trump identifies Palestinian activists as Hamas supporters and intimates that all Muslims are un-American and antisemitic. This order has been used since early March to detain, deport, or silence at least nine students and scholars from US universities: Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Palestinian activist apprehended at Columbia, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national and Georgetown peacebuilding scholar arrested in his home in VA; Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts picked up on the sidewalk by ICE; Alireza Doroudi, an engineering student from Iran at University of Alabama; Momodou Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia at Cornell and Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney specialist from Lebanon hired to teach at Brown. Others who have fought deportation or fled include an unidentified student from the University of Minnesota, a US permanent resident and a junior at Columbia Yunseo Chung, and Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and Fulbright recipient. President Trump's Executive Order and attack on the basic rights of Muslim and Palestinian students in the US whose political views he and many others disagree with does nothing to address antisemitism. As Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights put it, “this Executive Order does nothing to make Jews safer. Instead, it preys on the legitimate fears of American Jews to reinforce racist anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian stereotypes that equate immigrants with terrorists.” This is all too reminiscent of President Woodrow Wilson’s own attempt to silence his critics with the Immigration Act of 1918 as a means to eliminate dissent through deportation. It is interesting to note that deportees at that time included Jewish activists Emma Goldman, Mollie Steimer, and later Hans Eisler. As an organization seeking to end the prejudice and violence that stems from religious differences, we are called to learn from the past and urge our government to do the same. Sincerely, | |  | | The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ICNY Executive Director | | | | | | | |  | Save The Date 2025 James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Monday, June 23rd, 2025 The James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards annual gala is a vibrant gathering place for a diverse collection of two hundred fifty plus of our city’s residents that includes religious and civic leaders, past and current honorees, members of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), staff partners, donors, and friends. This year, ICNY is proud to announce that the event will take place on June 23rd and will honor Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative and The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, Former Chief Judge of New York and Chair of The Independent Rikers Commission. We hope you will help us spread the word by forwarding this email today and invite you to visit us here to become an early sponsor and ticket holder. | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Civic Demonstration Opportunity Multifaith Mondays: Moral Witness for Democracy Weekly on Mondays starting March 3rd 5:30 - 6:00 pm Columbus Circle (Gathering at the USS Marine statue on the SW corner of Central Park) Starting this Monday, March 3rd, faith leaders and community members will gather weekly at Columbus Circle to stand in solidarity and bear moral witness for democracy. Each vigil, held from 5:30 to 6:00 PM at the USS Maine Monument on the southwest corner of Central Park, will be hosted by a different faith community or interfaith coalition. Through prayer, song, and collective presence, we affirm the power of spiritual resilience in the face of challenges to democratic values. These gatherings serve as a space for reflection, connection, and public witness, reminding us of the shared moral responsibility across faith traditions to uphold justice and human dignity. If your house of worship or community organization would like to host a Monday vigil, please sign up here. We invite all to join in this weekly call for unity and action. Sponsors Include: The Interfaith Center of New York | Union Theological Seminary | The Jewish Theological Seminary | Episcopal Diocese of New York | The Riverside Church | T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights | The BeaconNYC | | | | | |  | Interfaith Prayer and Vigil Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces Prayer Vigil Thursday, April 3 6:30 pm National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle NW, Washington DC 2005) Join us for an interfaith prayer vigil on the eve of the first hearing of a historic lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security's rescission of the sensitive locations memo. Together, we will gather in solidarity, lifting prayers for justice, compassion, and the protection of immigrant communities. All are welcome to stand with us in this moment of faith and resolve. | | | | | |  | Interfaith Passover Opportunity Interfaith Passover Seder: Uniting Against Sex Trafficking Wednesday, April 9 7:00 - 8:30 pm Church of the Incarnation (209 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) A Passover Seder is a symbolic ritual meal that commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, involving a retelling of the Exodus story with ritual foods, blessings and song. The story has inspired the struggle for freedom across ages and continents. It forms a spiritual framework for our interfaith gathering against sex trafficking. Led by Shira Milgrom, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, Rev. Adrian Dannhauser, Rector of Church of the Incarnation, and Lori Cohen, CEO of Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT). Sponsored by the New York Board of Rabbis, the Interfaith Center of New York, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York Task Force Against Human Trafficking. All ticket sales go to support PACT and its mission to protect every child’s right to grow up free from child sexual exploitation and trafficking through education, legislative advocacy and partnerships. | | | | | | OTHER PROGRAMS & EVENTS Listing does not imply endorsement by the Interfaith Center of New York | | | |  | Join the NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working Group Apply by April 11 NYC is facing flooding, extreme heat, and poor air quality, and faith leaders have a vital role in protecting our communities. Raise Awareness | Prepare & Protect | Advocate for Solutions The NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working Group is seeking NYC faith leaders, lay or clergy, from diverse traditions and neighborhoods, to work together from April – September 2025. This initiative will help build a safer, more resilient future for all. Apply by April 11, 2025!
Apply here For questions, contact lcummings@nydis.org Organized by: New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) & Rebuild by Design | | | | | |  | Film Screening Event
Building Respect Through Faith On Screen: Double Film Screening Event Tuesday, April 15 5:45 - 8:30 pm In Person @ American Arbitration Association (150 East 42nd Street #17th floor New York, NY 10017)
Online via Zoom link to be emailed to registrants before the event The panel discussion, led by Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding CEO Rev. Mark Fowler, will focus on ethical self-representation of faith communities in media and build upon the shared themes of the films. This program will also highlight Tanenbaum’s launch of the Representing Religion resource. Register below to attend in person or remotely via zoom. American Sikh is an animated autobiographical short that follows Vishavjit Singh’s experiences with bigotry in the United States as a Sikh and creative pathway towards becoming a figure of acceptance in a superhero costume. The film encourages audiences to think about icons of popular culture and representation as key pathways towards building a better, more inclusive society. Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call follows Dr. Kamal Kalsi’s life as he enlists in the U.S. military and seeks a religious exemption to uniform requirements that would force him to give up practices that are essential to his Sikh identity. As the film shows, Colonel Kalsi was granted the exemption by the U.S. Army and subsequently dedicated himself to ensuring that other Sikhs serving in the armed services could receive the same basic recognition of their identity. SCHEDULE: 5:45-6:15: Arrival 6:15-7:15: Film Screening 7:15-7:45: Panel Discussion 7:45-8:30: Reception | | | | | |  | Earth Day Celebration
Return to Source: An Earth Day Celebration Tuesday, April 22 Ceremonial Gathering at 4:00 pm, Program at 5:00 pm, and a Reception to follow James Chapel @ Union Theological Seminary (90 Claremont Ave, New York, NY 10027) Join The Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary for a gathering, on the 10th anniversary of the Center. Together they will honor and celebrate Earth through ceremony, words, and musical and artistic offerings. The Ceremonial gathering will begin at 4 pm, a program to follow at 5 pm and finishing with a reception. | | | | | |  | Earth Day Celebration
Earth Day: Celebrating our Local Waters Sunday, April 27 12:45 pm Fifteenth Street Friends Meetinghouse (15 Rutherford Pl, New York, NY 10003) In honor of Earth Day, Friends in Unity with Nature and the Speaker Events Committee invite you to celebrate and explore our relationship with local waters. Join us on Sunday, April 27, at the Fifteenth Street Meetinghouse for an inspiring afternoon of music, film, and thought-provoking discussions on water ecology and restoration efforts. The lineup of speakers include: -Dr. Dorothy Peteet, Senior Research Scientist at NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, presenting “Hudson Marshes and the Secrets They Hold” -Agata Poniatowski, Public Outreach Program Manager at the Billion Oyster Project -Christine Suhonen, Water Engineer In addition to these engaging talks, enjoy a live performance by Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, whose music will inspire us to cherish and protect the water within and around us. A complimentary light lunch will be served at 12:15 PM in the Common Room, followed by the program at 12:45 PM. This event is open to all—come join us in honoring, learning about, and taking responsibility for our waters! | | | | 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. | | | | | |
