Interfaith Matters

Hosted by Hanadi Doleh, ICNY Director for Community Partnerships Throughout New York, clergy members, lay leaders and faith-based activists from every faith tradition are working to create positive change for our own communities and the city as a whole. But all too often we find ourselves working alone — without a strong network of interfaith ties, or knowledge of the city's civic institutions. One way leaders can gain the tools they need to make a difference is through the Interfaith Center of New York's Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy, an intensive seven-month leadership development program, about to launch its third year. In this episode of our #InterfaithMattersPodcast, host Hanadi Doleh talks with three graduates of the Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy about some of the most useful (and sometimes unexpected) aspects of the academy, and what many NYC faith-based activists can stand to gain from participating. Pictured above, left to right: Hanadi Doleh, Director for Community Partnerships at the Interfaith Center of New York Ayoka (Mayanah) Johnson, founder of Genesis 2 Ministries and Ha Nasheem Dharmachari Ananta, member of the Triratna Buddhist Order Sati Gurdial, General Secretary of the Tristate Arya Samaj _________________________________________ Calling all NYC faith leaders working to make a difference! Apply now for the next #InterfaithCivicLeadershipAcademy. Build your leadership skills and your multifaith network through interfaith dialogue and civic engagement training. Be the leader your city needs you to be. Clergy, lay leaders, and faith-based activists from all communities welcome to apply. Stipends for participants and grants for community projects. _______________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is guest hosted by Hanadi Doleh and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.  

Welcome to a special episode of Interfaith Matters, exploring New York City Council Resolution 1257, and the importance of religious diversity education in public schools. Resolution 1257 calls on the New York City Department of Education to offer age-appropriate religious diversity curricula for all public school students, as well as professional development in this area for DOE teachers. Our guest host today is Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, the Director of Programs at the Interfaith Center of New York. Henry talks with New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, a lead co-sponsor of Resolution 1257, and a panel of religious diversity educators: Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, Dr. Pritpal Kaur, Education Director of the Sikh Coalition, and Aniqa Nawabi, Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network. The conversation explores how religious diversity education can help create inclusive schools and communities for all New Yorkers, and address the growing problem of hate crimes against religious minorities.   Take Action to Support Religious Literacy in New York Public Schools!   New Yorkers, click here to email your City Council Member, and encourage them to co-sponsor Resolution 1257. Teachers, click here for classroom teaching resources, including the teachers guides discussed in the podcast -- all found on the website of ICNY's Religious Worlds of New York summer institute. Or click here for webinars on religious diversity in the classroom, produced by the Tanenbaum Center and Teaching Tolerance. Or click here for Sikhism lesson plans and teaching resources, from the Sikh Coalition. Or click here to learn about workshops on Islam and Muslim life, from the Muslim Community Network.   Together We Can Create Inclusive Schools and Communities for all New Yorkers!   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  This special episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, and edited by Executive Producer Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

In recent years, religious liberty has primarily been framed as a concern of conservative Christians in the United States, particularly in their opposition to reproductive and LGBTQ rights. But faith-based values are not the sole province of social conservatives, and Americans from diverse religious and political backgrounds are fighting for religious freedom in a wide variety of contexts. In this episode, host AJ DeBonis explores the changing meanings of "religious liberty" with Liz Reiner Platt, director of The Law, Rights and Religion Project - a think tank at Columbia Law School promoting social justice, freedom of religion, and religious plurality. AJ and Liz examine ways religious liberty is threatened when it is equated with a movement advocating for a narrow band of religious views. Liz argues that elected officials, media, and the public must broaden our understanding of religious liberty, so that it is neutral, noncoercive, nondiscriminatory, not absolute, democratic, and pluralistic.   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

We kick off Season Six of our #InterfaithMattersPodcast with a celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week (Feb. 1-7) and the United Nations’ International Day of Human Fraternity (Feb. 4). In this episode, host AJ DeBonis and Rev. James Loughran, SA (Director of Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute) discuss Pope Francis’ remarkable 2020 Encyclical Fratelli Tutti (“Brothers and Sisters, All”) which calls for a new global “culture of encounter” across faith lines. In the words of Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb: “In the name of God … we declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.” Today’s podcast explores the implications of this vision for Roman Catholics, and indeed for all people of good will. We also invite you to help build this “culture of encounter” on Wednesday, February 3, when we present a panel of distinguished interfaith scholars and leaders discussing Pope Francis’ encyclical. See below for details.  _________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress.  Interfaith Matters is co-produced by Michelle Polton-Simon. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.    

In this episode, #InterfaithMattersPodcast host AJ DeBonis talks with NYPD Clergy Outreach Unit Detective Mohamed Amen, who is also a member of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society. Det. Amen shares what the NYPD is doing to engage NYC's 8,000+ faith communities in working together to break stereotypes, build trust and improve safety and quality of life for all New Yorkers. Learn ways that you and your faith community can partner with local police precincts to bring citizens and police together in positive interactions that can strengthen police-community relations. ------------------------------- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress.  Interfaith Matters is co-produced by Michelle Polton-Simon. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

The 2020 election may be one of the most important in our lifetimes. How are people of faith approaching this election, working to get out the vote, safeguard a fair election, and renew confidence in the democratic process? In this episode, #InterfaithMattersPodcast co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Innovation at Interfaith Youth Core, on the unprecedented involvement people of faith (including many young adults voting for the first time) are bringing to this election, and what listeners can do to help bring about the changes they wish to see in this country. IMPORTANT VOTING RESOURCES Find your polling place for election day or EARLY VOTING (beginning October 24): https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ How to register to vote or request an absentee ballot: https://www.elections.ny.gov/ How to volunteer as a poll worker: https://www.powerthepolls.org/   ——————————————————- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis. This episode is guest-hosted by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

“Coming Together to Keep Our City Safe” Interfaith Matters continues talking with religious, civic and governmental leaders whose lives and work intersect with the Black Lives Matter and police reform protests taking place around the country.   Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD Chief of Community Affairs Bureau In this episode, our co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with Jeffrey Maddrey, newly-appointed Chief of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, to gain a law enforcement perspective on the Movement for Black Lives, the future of police-community relations in New York City, and the national call for systemic law enforcement reform. ——————————————————- Michelle Polton-Simon is audio engineer, editor, and co-producer of Interfaith Matters. ——————————————————- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis. This episode is guest-hosted by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

The Movement for Black Lives A new podcast miniseries asks NYC faith, secular and governmental leaders about their experiences of the movement and its future Rabbi Joshua Stanton, of East End Temple In the next mini-episode of this series, host AJ DeBonis talks with Rabbi Joshua Stanton of East End Temple about his personal experiences with the Movement for Black Lives, and faith leadership's unique role in public protests, as well as the supportive value of empathetic listening and presence.   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro music for this episode is edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

The Movement for Black Lives A new podcast miniseries asks NYC faith, secular and governmental leaders about their experiences of the movement and its future The Rev. Kaji Douša, senior pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church For the first mini-episode in this series, our co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with The Rev. Kaji Douša, who is senior pastor at the Park Avenue Christian Church, a co-chair of the New Sanctuary Coalition, and a long-time activist who is a leader in New York City’s Black Lives Matter movement. Michelle asks Pastor Kaji about her experiences on the frontlines of the movement, and what advice she can offer for sustaining long-time advocacy efforts and avoiding burnout. ____________________________________ Michelle Polton-Simon is audio engineer, editor, and co-producer of Interfaith Matters.   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro music for this episode is edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): host AJ DeBonis, Rabbi Heidi Hoover, The Rev. Canon Terence Lee, and Traven Fusho Rice  History shows that pandemics often leave long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on communities of faith, and a recent Pew Research Center survey indicates that the current COVID-19 pandemic will be no exception. We turn to three leaders on the frontlines of faith during this pandemic, to examine how emergency responses to the crisis are shaping the ways that people practice their faith, and consider how these innovations may transform religious practice in the future. Joining host AJ DeBonis for this conversation are: Rabbi Heidi Hoover, B’ShERT (Beth Shalom v’Emeth Reform Temple) in Brooklyn The Rev. Canon Terence Lee, St. Philip’s Church in Harlem Traven Fusho Rice, Senior Student and Meditation Teacher, Village Zendo in Lower Manhattan ___________________________________________ Continue the Conversation on July 22 Mental health, social service, and spiritual care providers are welcome to join us on July 22 for an online conference reflecting on lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. Diverse religious leaders and faith-based service providers — including podcast speaker Traven Fusho Rice — will explore the psychological and spiritual challenges of social isolation, as well as innovative strategies for online connection. All are welcome, and NY State social workers can earn 6.5 hours of continuing education credit. Click here for detailed info and registration ___________________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): AJ Debonis, Anindita Chaterjee Bhaumik, Robina Niaz, the Rev. Sally MacNichol As we continue to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode brings together three faith-based activists and service providers to discuss the disturbing rise of domestic violence during the pandemic, and the plight of victims who are at a higher risk due to social isolation and stay-at-home orders. For those who aren’t safer in their own home, the pandemic has created a worst-case scenario where options are limited. An average of 115 New Yorkers have visited the city government’s domestic violence resource website each day since the start of the pandemic — a staggering increase from the usual daily average of 45 — and similar trends have been noted around the globe. As our guests make clear, this isn’t a new problem. Like so many underlying systemic issues that have intensified in the last month – such as racial and class disparities in the pandemic’s death toll – the pre-existing threat of domestic violence has only been exacerbated by COVID-19, and has become a public health issue in its own right. This episode explores the risks victims and survivors face in these challenging times, as well as ways that faith leaders can support them. Joining us for this conversation are: Anindita Chatterjee Bhaumik, a certified trauma professional, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and Director of Boston Evening Therapy Associates Robina Niaz, Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point for Women and Families The Reverend Dr. Sally MacNichol, Co-Executive Director of CONNECT, an organization that works with New York City communities to prevent domestic violence ______________________________________ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES NATIONAL: If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 911. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 656-4673   NEW YORK CITY:  New York City 24-hour hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) CONNECT seeks to create safe families and peaceful communities by transforming the beliefs, behaviors, and institutions that perpetuate violence. Programs include Transformative Education and Community Building. To become a CONNECT Faith partner, please reach out to connectfaith@connectnyc.org. CONNECT Faith offers training, workshops and technical assistance for faith leaders and their communities as well as spiritual counseling for survivors. Turning Point for Women and Families: We are working remotely. Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 10am to 6pm. To reach us please call at 718-550-3586 or email info@tpny.org Turning Point’s RESOURCE GUIDE FOR NYC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC – this list includes resources for: – Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence – Other Domestic Violence Services – Food Assistance in each borough and Long Island – Financial Assistance MASSACHUSETTS: SafeLink https://casamyrna.org/get-support/safelink/: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 785-2020, 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 521-2601 (TTY) Our Deaf Survivor’s Center: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (885) 812-1001 Additional resources in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/domestic-violence-programs-for-survivors ______________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): AJ Debonis, Rev. Kyndra Frazier, Brother Mark Lane, Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein “Social Distancing” – if that phrase wasn’t an important part of your vocabulary before March 2020, it likely is now. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to policies that prohibit in-person public gatherings, and has forced religious communities into uncharted territory, requiring faith leaders to navigate safety guidelines while continuing to respond to the needs of their communities. In today's episode we discuss (over Zoom, of course) the challenges to providing pastoral care in this time of the pandemic, with three New York City faith leaders, to hear how they’re fostering connection, engagement, and well-being in the midst of a worldwide crisis.   Joining us for this conversation are: Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein, Rabbi-in-Residence, Hazon: The Jewish Lab for Sustainability Father Mark Lane, Brooklyn Oratory parish of St. Boniface Rev. Kyndra Frazier, Associate Pastor of Congregational Care and Wellness at First Corinthian Baptist Church, and Executive Director of The Hope Center. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress.  Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Pictured (l. to r.): Rev. Dr. Luis Barrios, Minister Erica Poellot, & author Jimmie Briggs We launch season five of the “Interfaith Matters” podcast with a critical conversation about faith community responses to the opioid/overdose crisis in New York City, where in 2018, there were 1,444 unintentional overdose deaths, of which 80% involved opioids. Rates of overdose have increased in the Bronx, specifically the South Bronx, and among Manhattan and Staten Island residents as well. Note that everyone interested in this topic is invited to our February 24 conference "Faithful Responses to the Overdose Crisis" - see below. For people of faith, this overdose crisis is a spiritual and moral crisis too, as racism, misogyny and class discrimination are recognized as factors that not only contribute to a person's exposure to and involvement with drugs, but are impacting their ability to access help. Our guests in this conversation are three New Yorkers who are experts on the subject: Rev. Dr. Luis Barrios, of Holyrood Episcopal Church – Iglesia Santa Cruz in Harlem Heights Minister Erica Poellot, Harm Reduction Coalition Director of Faith and Community Partnerships Jimmie Briggs, a journalist who has written extensively on the topic ______________________________________ AN INVITATION If you are interested in learning more about this issue, we invite you to attend a day-long retreat for religious and civic leaders on February 24 called Faithful Responses to the Overdose Crisis: Building Congregations and Communities of Care. Drawing on the path breaking work of the Harm Reduction Coalition’s Faith in Harm Reduction program, the retreat will help to build a multifaith healing justice movement, through education, advocacy, and spiritual care centered on the dignity and divinity of all New Yorkers – including those who use drugs.    REGISTER HERE ______________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress.  Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

   Host Hannah Meholick (left) and Dr. Georgette Bennett (right) On the latest episode of "Interfaith Matters," host Hannah Meholick talks with Dr. Georgette Bennett, founder, and President of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, about a newly-released biography of Dr. Bennett's late husband, Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum.  Written by Gerald and Deborah Strober, "Confronting Hate: The Untold Story of the Rabbi Who Stood Up for Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Religious Reconciliation" details the life and career of the esteemed Rabbi, a seminal 20th-century figure in interfaith relations in the US and around the world. Most importantly, the book provides a roadmap for moral leadership today as well as a blueprint for religious resistance against the rising incidence of hatred in our nation. Dr. Bennett's reflections on her husband and their marriage include a moving account of their first meetings, and their shared life of social justice activism, including their productive involvement with the Rev. Billy Graham.    Dr. Georgette Bennett is a sociologist by training who has spent the past 25 years advancing interreligious relations. She founded The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding in 1992 to combat religious prejudice, and founded the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees in 2013, to mobilize support for alleviating the suffering of Syria's war victims. Among many other honors, Dr. Bennett has been recognized by the Syrian American Medical Society for her work on behalf of Syrian refugees.       Available now from Amazon and other booksellers    Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series?  Would you like a suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  This episode of "Interfaith Matters" is hosted and edited by Hannah Meholick, and engineered, and executive produced by Kevin Childress.  Learn more about the podcast team on our website.             

Women and the Criminal Justice System   Former Members of America's Fastest Growing Prison Population Share Their Journeys   How Faith Communities Can Help     At a recent event produced by the nonprofit organization Circles of Support, and held at St. Philip's Church in Harlem, three women: Lanetta Hill, Afrika Owes, and Diana Ortiz, shared their personal stories of incarceration, release, and return to society and lives of criminal justice advocacy, while touching on some of the major issues facing women in prison. They also helped us understand how faith communities can play a positive role in helping women return home successfully.   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Would you like a suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  This episode of "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by co-producer Hannah Meholick, and engineered, edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress.  Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

  Join podcast host Hannah Meholick at the 10th annual "Spiritual Sounds of the East Village" concert, held earlier this year at the Town & Village Synagogue, as Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sufis, and other New Yorkers come together to celebrate the East Village's 250+ year history of diverse people living, working, and worshiping together in harmony. Between musical performances, Hannah talks with organizers, performers, and audience members about the importance of sharing our cultures and faiths with our neighbors. Performance Credits (In order of appearance):Nechung FoundationLama Pema DorjeGeshe Tashi La, The Center of Universal PeaceOrthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin ProtectionThe Right Rev. Fr. Christopher CalinArchdeacon Fr. Michael SuvakSimona Breazu & Jennifer Cross, music directorsMedina Masjid MosqueImam Yousef Abdul MajidMohammad Nasir Uddin, PresidentElder Muhammed YousufLight of Guidance Sufi CenterKainat Felicia Sharifa NortonMuinuddin Charles SmithSharif Matthews, music directorThe Catholic WorkerJoanne KennedyMark Ettinger, conductorTown & Village Synagogue,Rabbi Larry SebertCantor Shayna PostmanMiddle Collegiate ChurchRev. Amanda Hambrick AshcraftRev. Bertram JonshonJohn Del Cueto, music director   Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us! "Interfaith Matters" is co-produced by host Hannah Meholick and engineer and editor Jeff Berman, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Young New Yorkers on "Leading through Faith and Advocacy"  Recorded before an audience at the East End Temple   How does faith inspire social justice work?  How does advocacy inform faith? When the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) launched a campaign called #FaithJusticeHero, we invited New Yorkers to celebrate leaders from diverse faith communities who are doing inspiring social justice work.  Four of these impressive young #FaithJusticeHero’s join host Hannah Meholick on this episode of ICNY’s “Interfaith Matters” podcast, to discuss faith and advocacy. These leaders share their stories.  Guests (pictured above, left to right):  Hannah Meholick, host  Kyndra Frazier, Executive Director of the HOPE Center, and Pastor of Congregational Care & Counseling, First Corinthian Baptist Church, Harlem  Joshua Stanton, Rabbi of East End Temple and a Senior Fellow at CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership Gagan Kaur, Director of Community Development for ThriveNYC at the Mayor’s Office Shahana Hanif, Director of Organizing and Community Engagement, Office of City Council Member Brad Lander (Brooklyn District 39)   Hannah and the rest of our "Interfaith Matters" crew, Kevin Childress and Jeff Berman, with four inspiring #FaithJusticeHero's  __________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us! "Interfaith Matters" is co-produced by host Hannah Meholick and engineer and editor Jeff Berman, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro and outro music for this episode are excerpts from “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik (left) and Mohammad Modarres In this episode of Interfaith Matters, two New York City leaders – one Jewish and one Muslim – discuss the importance of food in bringing people together across lines of cultural and religious difference. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis and co-host of “The Rev and The Rabbi” program on 77 WABC Radio, is a leading advocate for offering kosher and halal meals in New York City’s public schools, an initiative which received funding last year to launch a pilot program. Mohammad Modarres, a Ted Talk resident and keynote speaker, is the founder of Abe’s Meats, a business that produces meats which are both Zabihah Halal and Glatt Kosher. Proceeds from Abe’s Meats are used to fund Interfaith Ventures, a nonprofit that Mohammad co-founded to promote interfaith dialogue and unity. Rabbi Potasnik and Mohammad Modarres met up recently for this conversation on food and faith in the Library of the East End Temple, with a few friends in the audience. __________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us! “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Host Hannah Meholick, with (clockwise from top left): The Very Reverend Fr. Thomas Zain, Dean,St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Fr. Gregory Saroufeem,St. Mary and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Manhattan The Right Reverend Archimandrite Father Christopher Calin,Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection (Orthodox Church in America) Rev. Fr. John Vlahos, Dean,Holy Trinity Cathedral (Greek Orthodox) In the last episode, we looked at how Orthodox Christianity made its way to the United States and established communities here in New York City.  In this episode, we experience exquisite expressions of Orthodox faith in architecture, paintings and music, while examining how different groups of Orthodox Christians are connecting across lines of faith.  Why do Orthodox Christians venerate icons?  How does the architecture of an Orthodox church evoke the embrace of God?  How does music uniquely articulate Orthodox faith? And how do Orthodox Christians in New York City share their traditions and practices with non Orthodox Christians?  Listen in, and experience the faith of our 200,000 NYC neighbors.     Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. And please be sure to rate us! “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman. Learn more the podcast crew here.

    Pictured above (clockwise from top left): The Very Reverend Fr. Thomas Zain, Dean,St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Rev. Fr. John Vlahos, Dean,Holy Trinity Cathedral (Greek Orthodox) The Right Reverend Archimandrite Father Christopher Calin,Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection (Orthodox Church in America) Fr. Gregory Saroufeem,St. Mary and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Manhattan     Don't forget to wish "Happy Christmas" to Christians today - that is, to the hundreds of millions of Orthodox Christians in the world who celebrate Christmas on January 7 (or in some cases, January 6).    Orthodox Christianity is ancient - with some churches connecting their lineages back 2,000 years to particular disciples of Christ - and while various forms of Orthodox Christianity are prominent in Russia, Greece, Egypt, Syria and many other countries, there over a million followers in the United States, and around 200,000 here in New York City.   It is our NYC Orthodox Christian neighbors who are the focus of today's podcast episode, an interview with four leaders of communities in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  We learn from them how each community made its way into the United States, and settled in New York City, sometimes initially facing severe discrimination.    We also examine the challenges the Orthodox Christian Churches face in New York when representing the history, tradition and values of an ancient faith, while ministering to people living in this modern, diverse city, and also welcoming new immigrants (and sometimes refugees) arriving with no familiarity with English language or American customs.    This discussion is a rich and rewarding foray into Orthodox Christian life in New York City - so much so that we decided to present it in two parts.  Subscribe and watch your favorite podcatcher for the second episode to drop in a week or so, which will focus on the "sights and sounds" of Orthodox Christianity such as liturgical music, art and architecture - what you see & hear might be surprising!

  Rabbi David Rosenn with our host Hannah Meholick   Our Guest:    Our guest is Rabbi David Rosenn, executive director of the Hebrew Free Loan Society, which since 1892 has offered interest-free loans to New Yorkers needing immediate financial help or wanting to invest in their futures, but who can't afford or do not qualify for commercial credit. We talk with Rabbi Rosenn about the moral motivation of faith in coming to the financial aid of our neighbors in need.      Highlights:     What is "Economic Justice"?: "I think Economic Justice is a set of social arrangements where everyone has the opportunity to acquire what they need to live a decent and dignified life."   How do religious traditions speak to issues of poverty and economic inequality? "Poverty is disastrous from a religious point of view because it tends to obscure the image of God in people who are poor ... and even more tragically, prevents people who are poor from seeing themselves in the image of God...Working to end poverty is working to restore the image of God."   What is "Moral Imagination"? "Picturing the way that the world might be, and considering our responsibility to help get it there, and how we partner with God in that ongoing act of creating the world."   ___________________________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!   "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about Hannah and Jeff on our website.     Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of "Maximum Relax" by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.    

  Dr. Debbie Almontaser (left), with our host Hannah Meholick   Our Guest:    Our guest this time is community activist and teacher Dr. Debbie Almontaser, board president of Muslim Community Network, and founder of Bridging Cultures Group, Inc.  Hannah and Debbie discuss faith and feminism.     On Feminism in Islam: "There is so much misunderstanding about the role of women in Islam. I feel that feminism has been within the Islamic tradition for the last 1,400 years ... the list of 'sheroes' in the Islamic tradition is really vast."   On Modesty: "How much modesty a woman should observe (or not) and who gets to judge whether she is or not, is very troubling, something we as women and our male allies need to challenge. It's a woman's choice... I choose to wear the hijab as a form of worship... as a connection between me and God ... and I do it with pride, and dignity, and celebration."   On Objectification of Women: "I am deeply alarmed when I look at ads to sell cars and alcohol, that they all have women in them.  Women should not be the "icing on the cake' to sell something."       We'd like to offer props to our underwriter, One Spirit Learning Alliance!     One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.”   ___________________________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!   "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about Hannah and Jeff on our website.     Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of "Maximum Relax" by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.      

    Our host Hannah Meholick with Frank Fredericks Our Guest:  In this episode, Hannah Meholick talks with Frank Fredericks, founder of World Faith, an international nonprofit based here in New York City that mobilizes religiously diverse young people to address religious violence.  Frank is also an interfaith chaplain at New York University.  Today we talk with Frank about how religious, economic, political, psychological – and even biological – factors contribute to a person’s propensity for violence. World Faith’s approach to reducing violence in the world distinguishes, as Frank describes it, “two main drivers that push people to engage in violence … the first is the dehumanization of the perceived ‘other’ (that there is an ‘us’ and ‘them’ and that ‘they’ are a threat to ‘us’), and secondly, that when young people lack direction, opportunity, and purpose, they are more likely to engage in violence.  Our theory of change is … if you get young people to work together, with a shared objective, that under the right conditions they humanize one another and view their communities as an extension.  And secondarily, when young people see themselves making a positive difference in the local community, they feel more empowered … which reduces their likelihood of engaging in violence.” ___________________________________________________ We’d like to offer props to our underwriter, One Spirit Learning Alliance! One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.” ___________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us! “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about Hannah and Jeff on our website. Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.  

  "We Come Together to Go Further"   United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed on her work of bringing humanity together to better each other's welfare     Our host Hannah Meholick (left) with Amina J. Mohammed   Our Guest:    In this episode, Hannah Meholick talks with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   Ms. Mohammed was instrumental in bringing about the United Nations' unprecedented 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the Sustainable Development Goals (also known as "SDG's").    For her contributions to worldwide sustainable development, The Interfaith Center of New York will be honoring the Deputy Secretary-General with the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award at its 21st annual gala celebration on June 11. Please click here if you are interested in attending the event.   Podcast Episode Highlights:   On the benefits of diversity within her own family: "I grew up as a Muslim, but we have such a multi-religious family because my mother's father was a Presbyterian minister. My father was a Nigerian veterinary doctor, and my mother, a Welsh nurse, so I come from two sides, which is great, because I see through two lenses all the time, it's never one way."    On the partnerships required to make sustainable development possible: "When you think about religions, at the core of them, is about understanding and mutual respect. And for partnerships, it's the same thing. So it's another dimension of how we come together to go further.    On working with faith leaders toward sustainability goals: "Meeting with religious leaders was, for me, a way to  get across to a number of messengers my message, and also to hear back from them, what it was perhaps we were not messaging right."    On the value of interfaith dialogue: "There are some challenges that cross faiths - female genital mutiliation goes across faiths - that's culture.  And when you address that, it's interesting to get faiths together, to tell the culture that it's not right.  Many times, in the conflicts that we have, it's the interfaith dialogue that helps us get through it."    Click here to learn about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals   ___________________________________________________   We'd like to offer props to our underwriter, One Spirit Learning Alliance!     One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.”   ___________________________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!   "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about Hannah and Jeff on our website.   Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of "Maximum Relax" by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

  Sunita Viswanath (left) with host Hannah Meholick  Our Guest:  We launch Season Three of Interfaith Matters with guest Sunita Viswanath, executive director of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus and co-founder of Women for Afghan Women. Sunita, a Brooklyn resident, has worked for over two decades in women's rights and human rights organizations, and co-founded Sadhana in order to bring together her activism for human rights and her identity as a Hindu.    Podcast Episode Highlights: Sunita, on her early motivations to engage in social justice work: "When I see faith-based justice work, I hunger for Hinduism to be a part of it.  And I waited for that to exist in my world, and because I couldn’t find it, I guess I – along with friends – am making it."  On the Hindu caste system: "In Hinduism, one of our deep, shameful, painful, horrible blemishes is the reality of the caste system. And so, for generations upon generations, people within our own human family have been dehumanized in the most unspeakable ways.  What is the meaning of Hindu expressions of Oneness if we’re creating these divisions which are responsible for perpetrating the most extreme violence?" On the meaning of "Sadhana": "'Sadhana' means 'the doing of Hinduism.' [It's] a verb, it’s an action word, and those of us that started Sadhana didn’t want to talk about the justice we wanted to see in the world, we wanted to be it, we wanted to do it, and so our name reminds us – every day – that whatever we are talking about, we want to be creating it, manifesting it, building it in the world." ___________________________________________________   We're so pleased to welcome back One Spirit Learning Alliance as an underwriter of Interfaith Matters!      One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.”  ___________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email atsocialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us! "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman.  Learn more about Hannah and Jeff on our website.   Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of "Maximum Relax" by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

  Host (and guest) Maggi Van Dorn Our Guest:  This time on “Interfaith Matters,” host Maggi Van Dorn is our guest!  ICNY’s Director of Programs, Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, talks with Maggi about her Catholic faith background, as they reflect on two seasons of podcasting, highlighting some memorable interviews with New York City faith leaders, and discussing how podcasts are such a valuable forum for interfaith conversation. As Maggi departs our podcast after two wonderful seasons, we wish her tremendous continued success as the Religion and Spirituality producer at Spoke (a new podcasting app from SiriusXM) and as associate producer for The Adventures of Memento Mori podcast, which was just named one of The Atlantic’s 50 Best Podcasts of 2017.   Podcast Episode Highlights: On why podcasts are the most visual medium: “You can only hear my voice, and as a result, you have to conjure images in your mind that might be so much more powerful than anything that you would see on a TV screen.” On how a Catholic imagination fuels interfaith conversation: “If you’re trying to understand the divine and you’re starting at a place of human flourishing then I can look at human flourishing all around the world and in so many different people and say, ‘There’s the glory of God!'” On how podcasting enhances interfaith work: “We can talk very abstractly about a diversity of voices or perspectives, but podcasts strip away those abstractions because you literally have a human voice that is textured and unique, which discloses the person’s identity and their community.  To give greater representation of diverse backgrounds, what better way to do that than through the human voice?”   ___________________________________________________ This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.” ___________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

Host Maggi Van Dorn (left) with Kevin Tarrant   Our Guest:  This time on "Interfaith Matters," host Maggi Van Dorn talks with Kevin Tarrant, of the Hopi and Ho-Chunk Native American tribes.  Kevin is the former executive director of American Indian Community House here in New York City, and the founder of Silvercloud Singers, an inter-tribal dance and drumming group.  In Native American culture, Kevin's ministry is that of a "songcatcher," which serves as a rejuvenating force for the entire community.  Kevin is also Musical Director of a play in performance right now on the Lower East Side called "Don't Feed the Indians: A Divine Comedy Pageant."  Podcast Highlights: On Native Americans in NYC: "According to the latest census, there are 112,000 Native Americans in New York City.  It is the largest urban population of Native people in America."  On being a Song-catcher: "It’s a gift...there’s a tree of life and every time the leaf falls, that’s a song. And every time that leaf comes down and hits the ground the song is no longer there. But some people are attuned to catch that song and I’m lucky enough to be one of those people.” On the healing role of the drum: “A part of knowing this knowledge and being one of these song-carriers and dancers is you do these things for those that can’t. And you do these things to make yourself feel good and make others feel good.” On the Standing Rock protest to protect the environment: "Everybody is realizing that there’s going to be nothing for our grandchildren, our great grandchildren. What are we leaving them? You’re destroying every bit of nature there is."   Don't Feed the Indians: A Divine Comedy Pageant   Kevin and his wife, the director Murielle Borst-Tarrant, are currently presenting a play called "Don't Feed the Indians: A Divine Comedy Pageant," a comedic Native-Aesthetic look at the marginalization of Indigenous Peoples and the appropriation of Indigenous cultural and intellectual property. The play is being performed now through November 19 at La Mamma, on East 4th Street.  More info and tickets are available here.  ___________________________________________________   This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.” ___________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

Host Maggi Van Dorn (left) with Onleilove Alston Our Guest:  This time on “Interfaith Matters,” host Maggi Van Dorn talks with Onleilove Alston, executive director of Faith in New York, an affiliate of the PICO National Network, committed to the work of justice and faith-rooted community organizing.  Onleilove knows the vital importance of this work more intimately than most: as a child, Onleilove experienced homelessness, shelters and foster care before she was ten years old.  Today, she is a contributing writer and board member of Sojourners magazine, and founder of “Prophetic Whirlwind,” an organization – and forthcoming book – about the Black presence in the Bible. Onleilove will be one of the experts working with faith leaders at ICNY’s upcoming “Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy.” Podcast Highlights: On her conversion experience and the call to work on behalf of social justice causes: “Encountering a God of the orphan and the widow was empowering because I was an orphan.  Reading about a God who preached good news to the poor was good news to me because I was poor.  And I began to think I could do something to change my community and to help other young people like myself.” On faith-based advocacy: “[It is] harnessing the power of faith communities to make a difference in public life – to bring a moral imperative to public life. It’s a moral travesty that families are going to sleep homeless every night.” On spirituality in NYC: “The Bible Belt may be the most Christian-active part of the country, but as far as spiritual activity of any faith, New York City is actually the most spiritual place in America. If just 10% of those people who are spiritual were infused in public life to support progressive policies, we could change this city.” Three things faith leaders stand to gain from attending the Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy: “One, to build relationships with like-minded faith leaders. Two, to build relationships with organizations doing [social justice] work. And three, to gain strategic tools they can use to change conditions in our city.”  On how faith leaders can avoid burnout while responding to the political crises that come up seemingly every day: “Discern the one, two or three issues you’re going to work on, so that when things happen, that guides you, and share the burden, with people in your congregation, with other partners, so you are not overwhelmed.”   ___________________________________________________   This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.” ___________________________________________________ Beginning in November 2017, ICNY will sponsor 20 faith community leaders to participate in evening training workshops on a bi-monthly basis in civic engagement, legal literacy, and community organizing. These workshops will be led by expert partners including: The Center for Court Innovation, Faith in New York, The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, CUNY CLEAR as well as the NYPD. Individual participants will each receive a $1,000 stipend + seed funding for community projects. The application deadline is October 2, 2017 Program details and application info is available at http://interfaithcenter.org/icla For more info, email Iman Boukadoum or call 212.870.3515. ___________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

  Our Guest:    This time on "Interfaith Matters," host Maggi Van Dorn talks with Jonathan Soto, executive director of Mayor Bill de Blasio's newly-formed Center for Faith and Community Partnerships.   The center is designed to transform the way faith and other community organizations access city services.  We discuss why collaboration between faith communities and local government is not a violation of the First Amendment, but is essential to protect freedom, and help citizens in need. Jonathan will be one of the experts working with faith leaders in ICNY's upcoming "Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy."   Podcast Highlights:   On the importance of connecting faith communities with local government: “A house of worship could be the first institution a person interacts with when they come to this city or this country for the first time. It’s an important step, especially as it relates to services, to ensure that houses of worship are really well-resourced, and well connected to city services.”     On why faith community outreach helps protect city services: “There can be a policy argument that services should be cut because people aren’t using them, while in reality what’s happening is that government isn’t doing a very good job of letting people know these services are available.”     On what faith leaders will gain from the upcoming Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy: “Government is like a labyrinth, and it’s hard to navigate it if you don’t know the language. My hope is that [the Academy will] make the language accessible, and we can be open about ways to engage intentionally and collaboratively in order to maximize the benefit government can provide to people.”   On protecting religious liberty for others: “There is no religious liberty if we elevate one perspective over the other. If my Muslim sister or brother doesn't have religious freedom, then I don't have religious freedom. We give up a lot of our power when we work in silos.  But we maximize our power when we engage in collaborative action and work together."    FAITH COMMUNITY LEADER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PROGRAM:   Faith community leaders interested in joining the Weekend of Action, or who would like to connect with the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships, please contact Jonathan Soto directly at jsoto@cityhall.nyc.gov. The “Access HRA” app is a new online portal from New York City’s Human Resources Administration.  People in your community can use the app to apply online for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Cash Assistance, Medicaid renewal, manage benefits, read agency notices. It’s available on iPhone and Google Play Stores or click here.  The "Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy" (ICLA):   Beginning in November 2017, ICNY will sponsor 20 faith community leaders to participate in evening training workshops on a bi-monthly basis in civic engagement, legal literacy, and community organizing. These workshops will be led by expert partners including: The Center for Court Innovation, Faith in New York, The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, CUNY CLEAR as well as the NYPD. Individual participants will each receive a $1,000 stipend + seed funding for community projects. The application deadline is October 2, 2017 Program details and application info is available at http://interfaithcenter.org/icla For more info, email Iman Boukadoum or call 212.870.3515.   ___________________________________________________   Podcast Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

    Pictured Above: Thomas Lennon in a Beijing Film Studio. Lennon's earlier work in China earned him an Oscar and two Academy nominations.   Our Guest:  This time on "Interfaith Matters," host Maggi Van Dorn talks with Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Thomas Lennon about "Sacred," his recent million-dollar global documentary for PBS.  Two years in the making, and utilizing more than 40 film crews in more than 20 countries, "Sacred" explores ritual practice around the world through stages of life the film terms "Initiation," "Practice" and "Passage."  As the film journeys through the milestones of private life and the faith practices of individual human beings, a singular story begins to unfold, of universal humanity.    "Sacred" is premiering around the country this year, and, as a WNET-TV production, will be on public TV in 2018.  Jump to the link below to watch the trailer. Click here to check for upcoming film screenings in the United States and around the world.   Podcast Highlights:   On what motivated him as an agnostic filmmaker to produce a film about religion: "Jonathan Sacks said, 'Religion is fire: it can warm, or it can burn.'  The media have done a very good job of looking at the ways in which it can burn. And I thought why don't I go off by myself and take a few looks at how it can warm."    On faith as a primary human experience: "The wisdom of [religious rituals], psychologically, does not require you to be a person of faith for you to recognize and be grateful for that transmission of advice from generations before you."   On his experimental approach to global film-making: "If there is a scene you want covered in Myanmar or in Madagascar... the chances are very good that there's a filmmaker there who's going to have an intimacy of relationship with that scene, with that language, with that culture, with that faith, that you do not have - and so it behooves you to invite them into a collaboration."   On the spiritual creativity of prisoners:  "It's an extraordinary act of existential choice to say, 'I'm not going to think about the fact that ... I'm not going to leave these prison walls except in a body bag...I'm going to think about this other reality that I'm going to insist is the dominant reality.'"   VIEW THE "SACRED" TRAILER HERE:     ___________________________________________________     This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one of their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live."   ___________________________________________________   Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!  

Paola Piscitelli (left) and host Maggi Van Dorn   Our Guest:  This time on “Interfaith Matters,” Maggi talks with Paola Piscitelli, president of the Sant’Egidio Community in the United States, an international lay community in the Roman Catholic Church, with over 60 million members worldwide.   Highlights: On the beginnings of community: It was started by students who were 18 and younger, who gathered to read the scripture and try to put them into practice.  Immediately, they saw that they could not say they were Christian if there were not a component of service to the poor. On what it means to “serve”: It means to become friends with somebody.  Friendship is a commitment, it’s a ministry, it has the qualities of faithfulness, of generosity, of listening, of being present. On the hidden poverty among the elderly:  We started visiting the elderly in nursing homes – an aspect of poverty that is hidden but growing. And, as friends of the elderly, when someone requested to go home, we didn’t ignore it, to think it was irrelevant. We started to become surrogate families and facilitate the process of going back home. How can ordinary people practice peacebuilding: One of the most important things is to be open and curious about others, and not having a defensive attitude. In order to build peace, there is the need to meet “the other,” to have friends who are different from you, to know their tradition.  When you come to know people, to appreciate them, hatred is more difficult. Learn more about the Sant’Egidio Community at their website http://www.santegidiousa.org/. Paola Piscitelli can be reached at 646-765-3899 or santegidiousa@gmail.com. ___________________________________________________ *A Special Invitation The Community of Sant’Egidio will be the recipient of the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award at the Interfaith Center of New York’s 20th Anniversary Gala on June 12.  The Community is being recognized for their leadership and humanitarianism by helping hundreds of Syrian refuges escape conflict and settle safely in Italy. Here in New York, the Community works to galvanize faith and civic leaders to advocate for human rights and immigration reform. For tickets to the Interfaith Center Gala, go to www.interfaithcenter.org, and click on 20th Anniversary. If you are unable to make the event, please consider making a donation as an anniversary gift. Donations from ICNY supporters help to make this podcast possible.  ___________________________________________________ This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live.” ___________________________________________________ Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

“A Common Language that is Always Present"   Rev. Sarah McCaslin on her Spiritual Calling to a Life of Ministry, Psychotherapy, and Waffles       Host Maggi Van Dorn (left) With Rev. Sarah McCaslin     Our Guest:    Rev. Sarah McCaslin, MDiv, LMSW, Waffle Church Minister at St. Lydia’s in Brooklyn, and resident therapist at the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute. In a 2-part episode, Sarah talks with us about how her desire to serve and help others leads her on a simultaneous journey of ministry and psychotherapy.  And yes, there will be waffles along the way!   Highlights from Part 1:   On "Dinner Church": It links really well to the scriptural stories that we understand about the beginning of Communion, and Jesus and his disciples gathered for a meal. Before there were churches, [early Christians] were kneeling in each other's homes, breaking bread, telling stories, sharing their concerns and helping one another.   On Worship with Children: I want to do a worship that is not dumbed down, because children can receive a lot of nuanced complicated information, they just process it differently than we do, and they have things they need to tell us, and we have things we need to learn from them."   ___________________________________________________   A Special Invitation   Reverend McCaslin is going to be a featured speaker at ICNY’s upcoming Social Work and Religious Diversity conference on May 10, which will explore the intimate ties between “Religion, Spirituality and Family Life.”  The conference offers 7 continuing education credits for New York State LMSWs and LCSWs.  Registration is open now at The Interfaith Center of New York’s website.    ___________________________________________________    Support For Our Work   The Interfaith Matters Podcast is made possible by donations to The Interfaith Center of New York, working to overcome prejudice, violence and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city’s religious leaders and communities.       This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live."   ___________________________________________________   Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!  

  “A Common Language that is Always Present"   Rev. Sarah McCaslin on her Spiritual Calling to a Life of Ministry, Psychotherapy, and Waffles       Host Maggi Van Dorn (left) With Rev. Sarah McCaslin     Our Guest:    Rev. Sarah McCaslin, MDiv, LMSW, Waffle Church Minister at St. Lydia’s in Brooklyn, and resident therapist at the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute. In a 2-part episode, Sarah talks with us about how her desire to serve and help others leads her on a simultaneous journey of ministry and psychotherapy.  And yes, there will be waffles along the way!   Highlights from Part 2:   The Call to Ministry vs. the Call to Therapy: "It's very similar, [the yearning to be] available to listen and to receive, to provide a non-judgmental and a non-anxious presence."    On Providing Counseling to People of Different Faiths, or no Faith:  "We have common language and vocabulary, and that's the shared humanity [of] our emotional lives - grief, pain, suffering, estrangement, frustration, despair, hope - that's the language that is always present and accessible."    ___________________________________________________   A Special Invitation   Reverend McCaslin is going to be a featured speaker at ICNY’s upcoming Social Work and Religious Diversity conference on May 10, which will explore the intimate ties between “Religion, Spirituality and Family Life.”  The conference offers 7 continuing education credits for New York State LMSWs and LCSWs.  Registration is open now at The Interfaith Center of New York’s website.    ___________________________________________________     Support For Our Work   The Interfaith Matters Podcast is made possible by donations to The Interfaith Center of New York, working to overcome prejudice, violence and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city’s religious leaders and communities.       This episode of Interfaith Matters is underwritten by One Spirit Learning Alliance – an interfaith learning institute that trains spiritual leaders and offers workshops for the public to spark personal transformation. More information is at Onespiritinterfaith.org/Matters, where our listeners can find a free download of one their teachings, “The Life We Are Called to Live."   ___________________________________________________   Questions? Comments?   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

      Vivian and Robert DeRosa with host Maggi Van Dorn (right)   In this latest episode of “Interfaith Matters," Maggi Van Dorn talks with Robert and Vivian DeRosa, leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as Mormons. Robert is president of the Lynbrook New York Stake (a geographic area similar to a diocese or parish) that includes Eastern Queens and Western Nassau, Long Island. Vivian is the leader of the young women's programs.    Some Highlights:   On the origins of the word "Mormon": "It's a nickname people have given to us over time. It simply refers to the Book of Mormon and the person Mormon, who was the compiler and editor of 1,000 years' worth of history [that comprise the Book of Mormon]."   On what attracted the DeRosas to the Mormon faith: "It answered so many questions that I had, and I realized this just feels like home. Families can be together forever... these relationships that we treasure so much in life continue."   On diversity within the Mormon faith: "[In Queens alone], we have people whose place of birth is from 94 different countries ... there's a great diversity in the church. We have a core set of beliefs, yet there are cultural and ethnic differences that are wonderful, and that enrich our community."   On shared Humanity: "We believe that our Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, that you and I are brother and sister. We don't look at it as an analogy, or a simple way to explain a difficult idea - we literally believe we are children of our Heavenly Father."  "When we love and serve one another, that commonality is much stronger than whatever other differences that we've got."   And a Special Invitation:   On March 18, Mandarin-speaking New Yorkers are invited to research their family histories at a Family History Discovery Day, held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 145-15 33rd Ave FLUSHING, New York from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.  There is no charge for participating in the event.   Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series?  Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.  And please be sure to rate us!

From the first week of President Trump’s administration, refugee and immigration issues have become a pressing moral concern for many Americans, with New York City taking center stage as demonstrations spring up everywhere and Mayor de Blasio upholds our status as a “Sanctuary City.”  Even before President Trump launched aggressive new policies targeting undocumented immigrants this week, the Washington Post reported that the number of houses of worship that have declared themselves sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants has doubled nationwide over the past year, while DNAInfo described local congregations signing on to shelter immigrants.  New Yorkers of faith are looking to their religious leaders for guidance, who in turn are gathering to share information and resources.  A lot is happening very quickly and people feel the need to understand not just the events themselves, but what they and their communities can do.    In this latest episode of the “Interfaith Matters” podcast series, Maggi Van Dorn responds to that need through a conversation with Dr. Diane Steinman, the Director of the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform. In this brief interview, Dr. Steinman offers listeners: A multi-faith appreciation of human value, that resonates with America’s foundational understanding of equality A history of the “Sanctuary City” movement, and the ways such policies have protected both undocumented immigrants and American citizens Immediate steps that faith leaders and communities can take to join the growing advocacy movement, including providing Sanctuary in houses of worship Have a question for Dr. Diane Steinman? Want to become connected to the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform? Leave a comment on your podcatcher or email us at socialmedia@interfaithcenter.org.   ___________________________________________________   Special Invitation to New York City Religious and Civic Leaders     As noted above, ICNY is holding a full-day conference for New York’s religious and civic leaders on April 5th, exploring the emerging challenges for religious leadership under the presidency of Donald Trump.  Please click here to register for Hospitality in a Time of Hate: Religious Leadership for an Inclusive City under the Trump Administration.  Participation is entirely free, thanks in part to a grant from the Fellowship in Prayer.   ___________________________________________________  

We're launching our new season with a podcast survey and a chance to win tickets to a new Broadway Musical!   See below for details.   Click here to take the survey and register for the  chance to win a pair of tickets to IN TRANSIT or copy this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZHVLCN _________________________________________________________     Andy von Salis and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn   In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Andy von Salis, a clerk (or presiding moderator) of the New York Religious Society of Friends, also known as "Quakers," on how the practice of silence and commitment to equality have guided Quakers as some of the most powerful peace and justice makers in American history and have personally empowered his own civil disobedience.   On the Fundamental Belief of Quakerism: “There is that of God, an element of the divine, that is alive within each person.”   The Quaker “SPICES” (Fundamental Values): Simplicity Peace Integrity Community Equality Service   On Taking Oaths: “Quakers had always refused to take oaths right back to George Fox and often went to jail as a result." Quakers' commitment to Integrity impels them to affirm that they speak the truth always, and not differentiate statements under oath.   How to visit a Quaker Meeting or Event: Quaker meetings for worship are held regularly and are open to everyone. There are six Quaker Meetings in New York City, each with its own website and calendar of events. Brooklyn Meeting, for example, offers worship twice every Sunday and Tuesday evenings at 6:30. The Quaker meetinghouse in Flushing (built 1694) is the oldest house of worship in continuous use in New York State.There are occasional public tours of the Quaker-owned cemetery located in the middle of Prospect Park in Brooklyn.   We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.   ______________________________________________________________________   Take our Survey for a Chance to win 2 Tickets to IN TRANSIT       And as we head into this new season we want you to hear from you! What do you enjoy most about the show? What do you want to learn more about?  In the interest of knowing you better, we’ve created a very brief survey that you can access by clicking the link below.    And here’s the really exciting part: if you complete the survey by January 1, you'll  have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the new Broadway musical IN TRANSIT.      “SHOWSTOPPING AND HEART-PUMPING. IF LOVE ACTUALLY WERE A MUSICAL SET IN THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY SYSTEM, IT WOULD BE IN TRANSIT.“- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY   “A RAPTUROUSLY HARMONIOUS AND SURPRISINGLY MOVING EXPERIENCE.“- VARIETY   “VIBRANT, PLAYFUL, AND INFECTIOUS. A LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK CITY.”- THE STAR-LEDGER   This new musical follows the story of 11 New Yorkers hoping to catch the express train to their dreams—and all the stops they make along the way.  And it’s a capella score was written by a team that includes the creators of Pitch Perfect and Frozen. It’s a powerful show, not to be missed.   So after you listen to this episode, click to fill out the survey and register for the chance to win tickets to IN TRANSIT!   Click here to take the survey and register for the   chance to win a pair of tickets to IN TRANSIT   or copy this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZHVLCN   ______________________________________________________________________    

  MaggiVan Dorn talks with Peter Gudaitis In the wake of the 9/11tragedy fifteen years ago, an organization called New York Disaster InterfaithServices (NYDIS) came together to coordinate disaster relief.  Since thattime, NYDIS has grown and gone on to provide relief after Hurricane Sandy andother disasters.  In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Peter B.Gudaitis, Chief Response Officer of NYDIS, about the challenges of coordinatingdisaster relief in a city comprised of hundreds of separate cultural and faithcommunities, and how to train religious leaders to provide emergency responseto a multi-faith population.  Highlights: On the current state ofnational disaster relief: "Inthe United States, when a disaster happens, only citizens and green cardholders can get federal disaster assistance… you could be in legal immigrantstatus but not qualify for federal assistance or state assistance." On the importance of religious diversity literacy: "Is the city prepared to feed [peoplevegetarian, halal or kosher meals]?  Do our medical professionalsunderstand the prohibitions against different genders touching one another? Doour shelters have the ability to shelter men and women separately, or women andchildren separately from men? The answer today quite frankly is no." On recent advancements in disaster relief: Sincethe Obama administration, F.E.M.A. has adopted something called whole communitydoctrine, which in short means that government needs to be prepared to supportthe needs of all communities at the local level, and not just the majority …that means marginalized communities, non-English speaking communities, thepoor, the well-resourced … men, women, children, gay communities, straightcommunities, all of that." On the unfortunate reportsof judgmental chaplains at the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting: "If you don’t see the personyou’re caring for as a whole person, if you see the part of them that you findsinful as something that you have to make some sort of navigating decisionsaround, you’re not fully present for that person, and they’re going to be ableto tell." On disaster chaplains: "Disaster spiritual care isan expertise that has to be taught and learned and practiced … it’s not a giftof the spirit in and of itself.  Certainly since 9/11 there have beensignificant changes in the application of emotional and spiritual care … it'sbeen more structured … it's kind of like the distinction between graduatingfrom medical school and being a brain surgeon.  You might have the basicsbut you really have to develop and practice an expertise." We hope you will not justlisten to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving,jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted whennew installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about thefaiths of our New York City neighbors.

  Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera   In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera, former president of the Jain Center of America, located in Elmhurst, Queens.  In this richly informative and entertaining two-part interview, Mr. Ajmera describes the origins of Jainism (one of the oldest religions in the world), and speaks about the three main principals of the Jain faith: devotion to nonviolence (Ahimsa), a rejection of possessiveness (Aparigraha), and embracing the understanding that there are multiple paths that lead to establishment of the truth (Anekantvada). His engaging talk is a rare and valuable opportunity to learn about Jainism and how Jain belief and practice can enlighten world views on Climate Change, vegetarianism, moral responsibility, and much more.    On the doctrine of non-violence known as “ahimsa”: “It is beyond killing of a physical, visible form … ahimsa is like nonviolence in thought, action and speech.” On diversity: “The identity of a group has to be maintained but as long as we acknowledge that identity allows us to see a different kind of bloom in our garden… it’s beautiful right….why? Because different looks nice.”   On Jainism’s understanding of God: “The concept of God as a creator doesn’t exist in Jainism; the concept of God as an Eternal Truth?  Yes.”    On the Jain respect for all life forms, even to the degree of not eating root vegetables so as not to harm earthworms: “Each soul has its own right to survive and meet its own fate. We are nobody in influencing that.  If we can’t make it better, who gives us the right to take it away?”   We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.  

  Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera   In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera, former president of the Jain Center of America, located in Elmhurst, Queens.  In this richly informative and entertaining two-part interview, Mr. Ajmera describes the origins of Jainism (one of the oldest religions in the world), and speaks about the three main principals of the Jain faith: devotion to nonviolence (Ahimsa), a rejection of possessiveness (Aparigraha), and embracing the understanding that there are multiple paths that lead to establishment of the truth (Anekantvada). His engaging talk is a rare and valuable opportunity to learn about Jainism and how Jain belief and practice can enlighten world views on Climate Change, vegetarianism, moral responsibility, and much more.    On the doctrine of non-violence known as “ahimsa”: “It is beyond killing of a physical, visible form … ahimsa is like nonviolence in thought, action and speech.” On diversity: “The identity of a group has to be maintained but as long as we acknowledge that identity allows us to see a different kind of bloom in our garden… it’s beautiful right….why? Because different looks nice.”   On Jainism’s understanding of God: “The concept of God as a creator doesn’t exist in Jainism; the concept of God as an Eternal Truth?  Yes.”    On the Jain respect for all life forms, even to the degree of not eating root vegetables so as not to harm earthworms: “Each soul has its own right to survive and meet its own fate. We are nobody in influencing that.  If we can’t make it better, who gives us the right to take it away?”   We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.  

Father Liam and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn  In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Father Liam O'Doherty, an Augustinian friar and Catholic priest, currently of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Staten Island.  Fr. Liam served 18 years as a missionary in Nagoya & Nagasaki, Japan, where he ministered to the descendents of Japan's first Catholic martyrs.  He is renown in Staten Island for his interfaith work in bringing together the Roman Catholic and Muslim communities around shared social justice concerns.  And Fr. Liam is also credited with arranging New York City Cardinal Dolan’s first visit to a mosque. On Muslim Neighbors: [When I see Muslims pray, I see] that what they have in their hearts is the same thing that I have in my heart - a deep desire to praise God, and to have a relationship with Him.  And the thing that comes out of that is a desire to support each other in their walk of faith, and also to do something for the people outside of the community.”  On singing as embodied prayer: “When you sing, your body becomes a musical instrument … it’s incarnational.” On how to Be a Priest/Faith leader: “Show up, be there, and don't get in the way of the action of the Holy Spirit." We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn and ICNY’s Directory of Programs Dr. Henry Goldschmidt talk with Dr. Anne Klaeysen, leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, ethical humanist religious life advisor at Columbia University and humanist chaplain at NYU.    On the first Humanists: "While they were experiencing their lives and their commitments to their vocations as religious they were beginning to separate that more from a belief in a supernatural, anthropomorphized deity." On the "1st manifesto": "Humanism is a philosophy and a religion that emphasizes human responsibility and accountability." On Adler’s Supreme Ethical Rule: "You choose to attribute worth and dignity to every human being, and secondly, you act in ways to elicit the goodness in others and when you act in that way you are eliciting the goodness in yourself."   Note: The music clips heard in this podcast episode are taken from the song “What About Love?" with full permission from its writer and performer, Athena Reich.  Complete song and lyrics here.    We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.  

The music clips heard in our June podcast interview with Dr. Anne Klaeysen of the New York Society for Ethical Culture are taken from the song “What About Love?” written and performed by Athena Reich.  See http://www.athenareich.com/.  Lyrics: Will I let this time Define my state of mind? Will I let the news Be my only muse? Will I let these leaders Be my only meters on how to live, love work and die…. Will we swallow laws just because? Will we swallow fate until it’s too late? Will we swallow war As nothing more than a tragic chapter in the human factor… I can’t take it anymore There’s gotta be a change for sure I’m so sick of being numb Would it make a difference if I gave you some of that LOVE Is difference of skin an excuse to sin? Is difference of faith An excuse to hate? does difference of land define the man? Or all we all the same Beneath this losing game We won’t take it anymore There’s gonna be a change for sure We’re so done with being numb Give me some, let me give you some of that LOVE Some say that hope is a fool just wasting time I say that hope is a prayer that can change… that can change mankind What about Love    LOVE     When we gonna treat every heart that beats with LOVE

In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Al Cadena, one of nine members of an elected body called the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New York City.  Al provides a wonderful introduction to Bahá'í beliefs, and how the faith informs a person's ethics.  He also shares his inspiring journey to victory on the game show "Jeopardy!".   On Bahá'ísm: "Bahá'í stresses the unity of all the world's religions, that they all come from God."  On Youth: "Oftentimes society believes that youth doesn't have the ability to be role models... but if anything, youth have the ability to move the world. So let's let them do that." On Morality: "The soul has no gender, no color, no class.  Because each one of us has a soul that comes from God, then we have to treat each other beautifully.  It's the 'Golden Rule,' but goes further because you want better for your brother or sister than for yourself." Note: The music clips heard in this podcast episode are taken from the song “Morning Prayer.”  The words are those of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.  The music was written, and the song is performed by, Saphira Rameshfar.  Complete song and lyrics here. We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

The music clips heard in our May podcast interview with Al Cadena of the Bahá'í Center of NYC are taken from the song “Morning Prayer.”  The words are those of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.  The music was written, and the song is performed by, Saphira Rameshfar. Lyrics:  “Morning Prayer” I have risen this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home trusting wholly in Thee, and committing myself to Thy care.  Send down, then, upon me, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy side, and enable me to return home in safety even as Thou didst enable me to set out under Thy protection with my thoughts fixed steadfastly upon Thee.  There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.  

In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews dancer, singer, choreographer, teaching artist, artistic director and Orisha devotee Michael Manswell.  Mr. Manswell talks about the origins and practices of the Yoruba tradition (one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa), religious leadership, and "Something Positive," an arts and education organization dedicated to the art and culture of the African Diaspora and its cross-cultural influences through performance and education.   On his preferred title of "devotee": I have always felt that the word "priest" places you in a solitary position, in a kind of enforced solitude ... whereas the Yoruba [leader] is part and parcel of who the community is... is woven into the fabric.   On divination: "Opening the portals so you can see your possible paths ... or the possibilities that lay if you were take a certain action ... or not."     On chanting and movement: "It is a channel through which you can present your petition, your thanks,your rage, your disappointment, your hurt your grief, your love to the divine because it inhabits a place that’s not seen."   We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

On Sikhism: "It's about having direct devotion and access to the Divine, and if that's our way of thinking, that is a commitment to radical equality.  Prayer is an important access point to the divine, but prayer is also fighting against injustice, organizing, feeding people, clothing people..." On being a faith leader: "There's no concept of 'clergy' in the Sikh faith.  I define [a faith leader] as someone who is organizing and mobilizing people from a particular faith community for ... at its best, various forms of social and economic justice." On leadership opportunities for youth: "We're seeing very smart and on-point young folks that are challenging some of the more conservative elements of our community... about homosexuality, caste, and gender equality." In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews Sonny Singh, a Brooklyn-based justice educator, activist, published writer and community organizer and musician, who talks with us about Sikhism, his call to social justice, and the expression of his faith and calling in music.  We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

"Legitimacy can be established through credentials ... or it can be established through a track record and work experience, that you have indicated through some type of continuous effort that you are someone worth listening to.""Our bigger challenge today is ... the amount of indifference that exists.  That you see injustice taking place in front of you, and you have the ability to do something about it, and you still don't.  You can have a perspective on a person or a community that they represent, without having ever met someone from that community." "Find the courage to go and be with those who are different rather than waiting for them to be with you."In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews Imam Khalid Latif, who shares with us his experience as the first Muslim chaplain of NYU, the emerging faith leadership of young adults, and how conviction inspires and necessitates a person to work across faith lines.  We're pleased that this episode will be the first entry in the Storybank of Religions for Peace USA’s "Our Muslim Neighbor" initiative, a long-term collective impact effort geared toward combating Islamophobia with a positive, informed, and consistent message of Islam and Muslims in the U.S.We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

About Hinduism and Monotheism: "Hindus believe in one supreme Brahman. The anciet sages and the seers always worshiped a formless form of the Lord. The form came in for common people to be able to focus their worship." On Hinduism and deitieis: "We strongly believe that God is in everything.  You can invoke God in a piece of stone.  Every part of a deity's body gives us a message - Ganesha's ears prompt us to be good listeners, his eyes teach us to be focused."On the role of the House of Worship: "Temples are bulit for a community platform, people get married here, children love to come and sing, dance."On Religious Diversity: "We must appreciate differences.  Ultimately we all want to reach the supreme lord.  All religions are equal. In our prayers, we always say 'Let the entire universe be happy and healthy.'"In the fifth episode of our free podscast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews Dr. Uma Mysorekar, about her roots in faith, her medical practice, and giving back to the community, helping to found the Hindu Temple Society of North America – New York City’s oldest and largest Hindu temple, in Flushing, Queens.We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

Maggi Van Dorn talks with Theo and Phyllis Harris, stars of the Off Broadway show “Alive 55+ and Kickin"“Every time I lift my eyes to the sky, I’m reminded of a time in my life When all the dark clouds hung over me, I was lost inside, in search of a key. I remember loved ones being so kind, saying things would get much better with time. And I admit sometimes it did for a while, then I’d find myself back under the cloud. But right in the midst of the rain, my heart was so filled with pain, You came and rescued my soul, and then your love took control. Right in the midst of the rain you taught me to smile again. My life was awesomely changed right in the midst of the rain.” In the fourth episode of our free podscast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews Theo and Phyllis Harris, about their lives and art.  During Theo’s many years of incarceration, Phyllis struggled with raising a family.  In their shared love of singing, the two of them found the strength to keep their marriage together and give inspiration to countless others through their performances in “Alive 55+ and Kickin,” at the Dempsey Theater in Harlem.  The show, now in its third year, was produced by Vy Higginson, creator of the acclaimed gospel musical “Mama, I want to Sing.”  As described on the “Alive 55+ and Kickin'” website, the show is about “the healing and transformative power of story and song. With music ranging from gospel, to soul, to blues, to R&B, to pop, and Broadway, ALIVE! captures a wide spectrum of the total Black experience in sound.” We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

On Sufism: “The inner knowledge of the nature of the human being, and the divine reality within the human being.” On being a female Muslim leader: [When you’re not used to it], that’s why you find all these so called holy reasons why it shouldn’t be.” On Rumi: “When love speaks, it will express itself in poetic form, like the hymns we sing.” In the third episode of our free podscast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn interviews Sheikha Fariha of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi tariqa located in Tribeca, who speaks about the spiritual path of Sufism, the direct transmission of divine love through the relationship of Sheikha and dervish, and the awakening of the heart in community worship. We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.www.interfaithcenter.org

In the second episode of our free podscast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Babalawo Antonio Mondesire reflects on his journey to the Ifá priesthood, a life story weaving together culture, race, politics, faith, all expressed and influenced by the power of music. Baba Tony was born in the Bronx to parents of Puerto Rican and Eastern Caribbean (Dominica) ancestry.  He is an Ifá Priest, Spiritual Counselor, Educator, and Percussionist.  The spiritual title Babaláwo (or Baba for short) literally means “father of esoteric studies,” and the term “Ifá” may be translated as “encoded, esoteric, universal knowledge, wisdom and understanding.” The ancient tradition of Ifá is held in high esteem among the Yoruba people of West Africa, and throughout the African diaspora.  The colonial slave trade brought the tradition of Ifá to Cuba and other Caribbean nations, and more recent patterns of immigration have brought it to the United States directly from Yoruba land and Nigeria. In Cuba, the Yoruba practice of praying to God, Oludumare, was achieved through relationships with the Orisha, or spirits – what Baba Tony calls God’s deputies and emissaries to humanity. Enslaved Africans found ways to camouflage Orisha with attributes of Roman Catholic saints in order to comply by the laws of the state, circumvent sanctions and avoid persecution for practicing any expression of African religion. What began as a survival adaptation has since evolved into a diaspora model for African inspired spirituality.  “Santeria” remains a common term for Yoruba religious expressions in the United States and the Caribbean, however, the more accurate term is Lukumi, or simply Yoruba. Throughout our interview, Baba Tony describes how both the Ifá and Lukumi spiritual traditions – as well as the inspiration of music – came together in his search for identity, meaning, and theological grounding.