 |  | #CloseRikers Interfaith Coalition demonstrates outside City Hall after Michael Nieves becomes the 13th person this year to die in city custody |
| Dear Friend, The Interfaith Center of New York continues our work in civic engagement and gun-violence prevention. With a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and from NY City Council Member Amanda Farías’ office, ICNY will begin training diverse faith leaders and their communities in Harlem and the Bronx on anti-violence practices from different faith perspectives. In addition, our next Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy program is accepting applications for new cohort members. See below for how to apply. Our participation in the #CloseRikers campaign included an interfaith vigil last month mourning and protesting the preventable deaths that have occurred too frequently in city custody. Michael Nieves, age 40, was the most recent fatality. Please find two calls to action for faith communities to welcome the 800+ migrant children who have arrived in New York with their families on buses from Texas. They need everything from diapers to shoes and clothing. The Mayor’s Office of Faith and Community Partnerships has invited houses of worship to gather these items for pick-up by September 7th. Also, the New York Immigration Coalition has drop off points for individuals who would like to contribute. (see below) *** *** *** Pope Francis' message on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation calls the earth “a great Cathedral of Creation" and identifies the struggle for our shared future is a spiritual one. The Pope’s message has an additional poignancy in light of the recent passing of 1990 Nobel Peace Laureate President Michael Gorbachev, founder of Green Cross International, whose work for disarmament was partially inspired by a commitment to environmental sustainability. Locally, as Climate Week approaches, you and your community can participate in Dayneu and the Environmental Voter Project’s Chutzpah Campaign. Sincerely, |
|  | The Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer
ICNY Executive Director |
| You are receiving this newsletter via ICNY's new email platform. Do you have a new preferred email or are recently moved? Please take a moment to update your contact info by clicking here. If you are receiving this email having opted out in the past, please bypass the link and simply send an email to info@interfaithcenter.org with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line to opt out. We hope you will allow us to continue to update you on important interfaith events and initiatives throughout NYC and beyond. |
| | |  | Calling all NYC Faith Leaders Working to Make a Difference | Applications Now Open for the Next Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy | Applications due October 23rd | Throughout New York, diverse faith leaders are working to create positive change for their own communities and the city as a whole. With support from the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, ICNY’s Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy gives them the tools they need to make a difference. In a series of evening workshops, our ICLA fellows explore: • Diverse models of civic engagement and religious leadership • Effective policy advocacy and community organizing strategies • Guided reflection on their own distinctive leadership styles • Interfaith dialogue to build personal relationships across faith lines Our fellows then develop community projects that contribute to the civic life of New York. Each fellow receives $500 in grant funding to support their project, as well as a $500 personal stipend to recognize their time commitment and cover their expenses. If you have any questions, please reach out to Hanadi Doleh, Director for Community Partnerships at hanadi@interfaithcenter.org or call 212-870-3547. | |
| | |  | 9/11 Children of Abraham Peace Vigil | September 11 : 2:00 - 5:00 PM EST at the UN Public Plaza (47th St between 1st and 2nd Ave) | On the twenty-first anniversary of September 11, 2001, Jews, Christians, Muslims, and people of faith and goodwill will gather, united against division, violence and hatred. As we emerge from pandemic isolation in our Covid-epicenter city, we remember the hatred and violence perpetrated in these years–against our neighbors: Asians and Asian Americans, against Black and Brown people, against Muslims and Jews, and against immigrants. We bring our faiths, some of which share the same roots of the scriptural Abraham, and their teachings of peace and love, and fierce respect for one another's' lives and choices. In a year when each week’s news feels like too much, come celebrate love across difference and join us in a collective practice that reclaims this day as one of unity and peace. | |
| | | |  | G.O.G.M Through H.C.C.U.B Annual School Supply Giveaway | Saturday, September 3 : 3:00 PM EST - Until all supplies are given away At the corner of 121st street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. Rain Date: Saturday, September 10th | Garden of Gethsemane Ministries Inc. and Harlem Clergy Community United & Beyond are hosting a Back to School - Supply Giveaway. The giveaway will start at 3 PM and will extend until all of the supplies are distributed, supplies are limited and will be given out on a first come first serve basis. Adults must accompany youth to this event, social distance & face masks required. For more information you can reach out via email to GOGMNYC@gmail.com. | |
| |  | Chutzpah 2022 Virtual Campaign Kickoff | Wednesday, September 7 : 7:00 PM EST We need elected leaders who have the chutzpah to take bold climate action. Join Dayneu and the Environmental Voter Project as they reach out to climate voters in key states ahead of the 2022 midterms and ensure they know what’s at stake. At this Campaign Kickoff you will have the opportunity to learn more about Dayenu's strategy, enjoy live music, hear about how you can have an impact in this election and start phone-banking. The program will include Rabbi Jennie Rosenn of Dayneu, Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project, Comedian Josh Burstein, and a special musical guest. For more information on this event and the campaign at large, visit dayneu.org/chutzpah. | |
| | |  | September 11 : 12:30 - 2:30 PM EST @ 45-57 Browne Street, Flushing, NY | Šri Mahã Vallabha Ganapati Devasthãnam cordially invites you along with your family and friends to participate in Šri Ganesa Chaturthi Celebrations. The Ratha will start from the Temple at 12:30 PM after the pooja in the Temple, make a full Pradakshina around the temple block (covering 45th Ave, Smart St. and Holly Ave.) and will reach Main Street approximately at 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM. The Ratha will return to the Temple by approximately 2:30 PM. For more information you can visit the temple website: https://nyganeshtemple.org/gc2022. | |
| | |  | A Call for Faith Leaders from the Mayor's Office of Faith Based and Community Partnerships - Asylum Seekers Arriving in NYC from Texas | Below is a list from the Mayor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships outlining what emergency items are needed for the first wave of support for migrants. Donation Instructions: Step 1: Your House of Worship collects the items below Step 2: Once you have secured donations at your house of worship, please send an email to cfcp@cityhall.nyc.gov with: contact name, phone number, House of Worship address, quantity, and list of items collected. Step 3: That office follow up with you. Deadline: Wednesday, September 7th (First Wave) Items: - Baby Category [ birth to 18 months]*
Diapers, Wipes, Strollers, Infant Clothing (all sizes) *Please note only brand-new clothing will be accepted - Children Category [ all sizes]*
T-shirts, Pants, Socks, Underwear, Sneakers, Jackets, Long Sleeve Tees for Fall *Please note only brand-new clothing will be accepted Adopt A Shelter Because of the sensitivity of the matter, we will not publicly print addresses for shelter. If your house of worship desire is to adopter a location, do email Angelica Perez cfcp@cityhall.nyc.gov. Interpreters There is a need for interpreters for the following languages: Spanish, wolof, French and pulaar to volunteer their time to assist migrants by emailing cfcp@cityhall.nyc.gov Housing Offers CFCP is accepting one-pagers for housing options for review. Please send, how many units, location, point of contact, and if your location will house families, women, men, etc. Send your information only to cfcp@cityhall.nyc.gov. Also, please see below for three additional very important items. If your Faith-Based Organization (FBO’s) may be interested in providing further social services to your communities in collaboration with NYC government – fill out the survey below. | |
| |  | Donation Drive for Asylum Seekers | Uptown Drop-Off Point : 431 West 125th St. on M-F 10 AM - 5 PM ESTDowntown Drop-Off : 1 Centre St., 19th Floor (South Side) on M-F 9 AM- 5 PM EST As you have likely seen on the news, there are more than 7,000 asylum seekers on their way to New York from Texas. In response to this influx of asylum seekers being sent here from Texas, the Manhattan Borough President's office is sponsoring a clothing and toiletry donation drive in partnership with the New York Immigration Coalition. We want to help our new neighbors feel welcome and equip them with basic necessities, so please donate what you can. What to donate: NEW TOILETRIES & HYGIENE ITEMS: body wash, shampoo
conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream,
nail clippers, menstrual products (unopened). NEW AND PACKAGED CLOTHING: underwear, socks, t-shirts, for
men. women and children (all sizes). OTHER: baby/body wipes, bath towels, face cloths, diapers For Questions or more information you can reach out to info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov or 212-669-8300. | |
| |  | HIV Vaccination Trials Network expands Faith Initiative | While the rapid development of effective vaccines has helped combat the COVID-19 pandemic, key communities – especially people who are living with HIV – remain disproportionately impacted, and are at higher risk of severe disease and death. Finding an effective HIV vaccine is critically important, and to that end, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) launched a expanded Faith Initiative that will help advance the work of finding a cure. HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Faith Initiative seeks to build the capacity of diverse faith communities who meet and engage with people where they are, focusing on enhancing trust and providing accurate and updated information about HIV and HVTN clinical trials.
They share the most current evidence-based information regarding HIV, vaccines, and antibodies being developed and tested in clinical trials for HIV prevention and treatment.
Faith Communities are encouraged to join the initiative. Please reach out to Sultana Ocasio, HVTN Faith Ambassador, at sultanarosa@gmail.com | |
| |  | Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Faith Practitioners | Registration is open, program beings on September 14th | Offered by donation to faith practitioners (no-one will be turned away due to lack of funds!), this 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course will help you relate differently to the stresses in your life and offers opportunities to cultivate resilience and emotional intelligence. It supports many faith-specific contemplative practices. Facilitated by Ananta, a former ICLA Fellow, a certified MBSR teacher by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University and an ordained Buddhist. He has decades of experience in meditation practice, study and group facilitation. | |
| | 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. |
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