Podcasts about interfaith center

This Day in Legal History: SEC EstablishedOn this day in legal history, June 6, 1934, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was established as part of the sweeping reforms of the New Deal. The SEC was created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in response to the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression, which exposed widespread fraud, manipulation, and lack of oversight in the financial markets. Its primary mission was, and remains, to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation.President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Joseph P. Kennedy, a former stockbroker and businessman, as the SEC's first chairman. The choice was controversial—Kennedy had profited handsomely from some of the same speculative practices the SEC was meant to prevent—but Roosevelt believed that Kennedy's insider knowledge would make him an effective regulator.The SEC was empowered to regulate the securities industry, enforce federal securities laws, and oversee the nation's stock and options exchanges. Among its early duties were requiring public companies to file detailed financial disclosures, registering securities before public offering, and monitoring insider trading. The commission also played a key role in restoring investor confidence in U.S. capital markets during a time of deep financial mistrust.Over time, the SEC expanded its reach, responding to new financial products, trading technologies, and crises. From investigating corporate accounting scandals like Enron and WorldCom, to managing the regulatory fallout of the 2008 financial crisis, the SEC has remained a pivotal force in shaping American financial law. It continues to evolve, now addressing issues such as crypto asset regulation, ESG disclosures, and algorithmic trading.Speaking of the SEC, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton dismissed a lawsuit challenging the SEC 2020 rule changes that made it more difficult for shareholders to submit proposals at corporate annual meetings. The rules, enacted late in President Trump's term, raised the ownership thresholds and lengthened holding periods required to file shareholder proposals. They also introduced stricter resubmission requirements for proposals previously rejected by shareholders.The plaintiffs, including the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, As You Sow, and shareholder advocate James McRitchie, argued the changes disproportionately harmed proposals on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and reduced long-term shareholder value. They claimed the SEC failed to assess the benefits of such proposals before implementing the rules.Judge Walton rejected these claims, ruling that the SEC adequately justified the changes under its mandate to promote efficiency, competition, and capital formation. The SEC, which had defended the rules during both the Trump and Biden administrations, argued that the reforms ensured shareholder proposals had broader relevance and potential for meaningful corporate action. The 2020 vote on the rule changes split along party lines, with Republican commissioners in support. While the SEC declined to comment on the ruling, the plaintiffs expressed disappointment and affirmed their commitment to corporate engagement on environmental and social issues.SEC wins dismissal of lawsuit challenging tighter rules on shareholder proposals | ReutersOpenAI filed an appeal challenging a court order that requires it to indefinitely preserve ChatGPT output data in an ongoing copyright lawsuit brought by The New York Times. OpenAI argues the order conflicts with its user privacy commitments and sets a troubling precedent. The preservation directive was issued last month after The Times requested that all relevant log data be maintained and segregated.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly criticized the order on social media, affirming the company's stance against actions it sees as compromising user privacy. The appeal, filed on June 3, asks U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein to vacate the preservation requirement.The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of using millions of Times articles without permission to train ChatGPT. In April, Judge Stein ruled that The Times had plausibly alleged that OpenAI and Microsoft may have encouraged users to reproduce copyrighted content. The ruling rejected parts of a motion to dismiss the case and allowed several of the Times' claims to move forward, citing multiple examples of ChatGPT generating material closely resembling Times articles.OpenAI appeals data preservation order in NYT copyright case | ReutersPresident Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal includes a plan to eliminate the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), an independent agency that funds civil legal aid for low-income Americans. The proposal seeks $21 million for an "orderly closeout" of the organization, which had requested $2.1 billion to meet growing demand. The LSC supports 130 nonprofit legal aid programs that assist with issues such as evictions, disaster recovery, and access to public benefits.Critics warn that the move would devastate legal aid access for millions, particularly in rural areas and the South. In Louisiana, for example, there is just one legal aid lawyer for every 11,250 eligible residents. Legal aid leaders say they already turn away half of those seeking help due to budget constraints, and the proposed funding cut would further limit their reach.Organizations like Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Legal Aid of North Carolina would lose 40–50% of their funding, jeopardizing services for communities still recovering from recent hurricanes. Legal Services NYC, the largest legal aid provider in the country, has implemented a hiring freeze in anticipation of possible cuts.The proposal revives a long-standing conservative goal. Past Republican efforts to dismantle the LSC date back to the Reagan era, and Trump made a similar attempt in 2018. The Heritage Foundation has accused the LSC of supporting controversial causes, but legal aid advocates argue the organization is vital to community stability and fairness in the justice system.Trump Plan to Ax Legal Aid a Conservative Aim That Targets PoorIn a piece I wrote for Forbes last week, I discuss how the IRS has quietly released the underlying codebase for its Direct File program on GitHub, marking a rare moment of transparency in government software. At the center of this release is something called the “Fact Graph,” a logic engine that models tax rules as interrelated facts rather than a linear checklist. Built using XML and Scala, the Fact Graph interprets ambiguous tax data, identifies contradictions or omissions, and suggests paths forward, all in a transparent, declarative format.What sets this apart is that, unlike proprietary tax software, Direct File's logic isn't hidden—it's open, reviewable, and potentially improvable by anyone. This move not only demystifies some of the inner workings of tax enforcement but also sets a precedent: if algorithms are mediating our legal obligations, we should be able to see and understand the rules they follow.The release is particularly striking in an era of eroding public trust in institutions and increasing reliance on automated decision-making. While Direct File itself remains limited in scope and its future uncertain, the open-sourcing of its logic engine may have laid the groundwork for broader change. Other agencies—from state tax departments to those experimenting with AI-driven policy enforcement—could adopt similar transparency, allowing the public to engage with and even help refine the systems that govern them.Peeking Behind The Code—IRS Just Open-Sourced Direct FileThis week's closing theme is by Robert Schumann and comes courtesy of Christopher Zbinden. This week's closing theme is Robert Schumann's Toccata in C major, Op. 7, a dazzling showcase of Romantic-era pianism and one of the most technically demanding works in the standard repertoire. Composed in 1830 and revised in 1833, the piece earned a reputation early on as a pianist's Everest—Franz Liszt himself dubbed it “the hardest piece ever written.” Clocking in at just over five minutes when played at tempo, it's a relentless whirlwind of perpetual motion, requiring both physical stamina and interpretive precision.The toccata form, traditionally a virtuosic keyboard piece emphasizing dexterity, becomes in Schumann's hands something more cerebral. Beneath its bravura surface lies a structure built on two contrasting themes, developed with intricate counterpoint and rhythmic displacement. The left hand must execute rapid repeated notes and wide leaps with precision, while the right weaves through syncopated figures and chromatic runs, creating a dense musical texture.Schumann dedicated the piece to his friend Ludwig Schuncke, who had recently died at the age of 23. That personal connection adds an emotional layer to a work that might otherwise be heard as pure technical spectacle. Unlike many showpieces of the era, Schumann's Toccata isn't just difficult for difficulty's sake—it's an expression of obsession, energy, and youthful ambition.For a composer better known for lyrical piano miniatures, the Toccata is an early signal of the depth and range Schumann would explore in later works. As this week closes, it offers a fitting sendoff: intricate, driven, and a little manic—in the best Romantic sense of the word.Without further ado, Robert Schumann's Toccata in C major, Op. 7 – enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." – Matthew 6:33This verse calls us to put God's Kingdom first in every aspect of our lives—including our investments—trusting that He will provide and use our efforts to advance His purposes. Today, Will Lofland joins us to share how that's happening right now.Will Loftland is the Managing Director of Investments Distribution at GuideStone Funds, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. He also oversees GuideStone's shareholder advocacy strategy and represents the firm as a participant in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.Who Is Guidestone?Guidestone is more than a financial services firm—it's a ministry to ministries. It is focused on serving ministries in all financial aspects of their work, including retirement plans, insurance solutions, wealth management, and the nation's largest Christian-screened mutual fund family.By equipping ministries with financial stability and security, Guidestone helps leaders focus more fully on spreading the gospel. Their services are designed to remove the weight of financial anxiety so that pastors, missionaries, and nonprofit leaders can flourish in their callings.What makes Guidestone unique is its unwavering commitment to honoring God with every dollar invested. Through rigorous Christian values screening, corporate engagement, and impact investing, it ensures that each fund reflects biblical principles.Guidestone's Impact Funds are an extension of this stewardship philosophy. Launched just before 2020, these funds go beyond avoiding harmful investments—they proactively invest in companies, projects, and causes that create meaningful change.Take the Impact Bond Fund, for example. It invests in projects like:Clean water infrastructureAffordable housing initiativesChristian-focused senior living communitiesThey believe that if we are truly stewards of God's resources, we want to invest in a manner that honors God and His purposes for human flourishing. Introducing the Kingdom Causes ProgramWhile securities can create positive change, their reach has limits. That's where Guidestone's Kingdom Causes program comes in.Born out of the Impact Funds initiative, Kingdom Causes donates 20% of the advisory revenue generated by the Impact Funds and supplements it with additional funding. Since 2020, they've donated nearly $750,000 to ministries advancing the gospel and protecting life.Their giving is focused on two core pillars:Sanctity of LifeSpreading the GospelFrom local to global, the ministries they support reflect these values.Ministries Making a DifferenceLocal Impact: Prestonwood Pregnancy CenterLocated in the Dallas area, this center is an extension of Prestonwood Baptist Church and serves women with compassionate care and gospel-centered support during unplanned pregnancies.They provide honest care, real information, and a strong infrastructure to support needy women. National Reach: Psalm 139 ProjectThis initiative provides ultrasound machines and resources to pregnancy centers nationwide, reinforcing the value of life and empowering expectant mothers.Meeting Physical Needs in the Name of JesusGuidestone also supports ministries that serve practical needs as an avenue for gospel outreach.Send ReliefA joint venture between the International Mission Board (IMB) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Send Relief addresses urgent needs like the following:Medical Missions in VenezuelaEntrepreneurial training for widows in AfricaLocal development projectsThese efforts not only meet physical needs but also open doors for evangelism.Faith-Based Content for Kids: Meet MinnoRecognizing the need for Christ-centered media, Guidestone supports Minno, a streaming platform offering biblically grounded content for children. It gives parents peace of mind knowing their kids are watching wholesome, faith-filled shows.Discipling the Forgotten: Prison MinistriesTwo standout organizations Guidestone supports are:Prison Fellowship: Sharing the hope of Christ with incarcerated individuals. Prison Seminaries Foundation: Partnering with Baylor University to provide seminary training to inmates serving long sentences.These ministries are transforming lives behind bars, raising disciple-makers where they're least expected.How You Can Join InWhen you invest in Guidestone's Impact Funds, you're doing more than planning for your future—you're also making an eternal impact. Visit GuideStoneFunds.com/Faith to learn more and to explore their faith-based investment options. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm in the midst of my retirement or death planning, and I'm wondering what criteria I should use for creating a trust versus just having a will.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineGuideStone FundsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Send us a textIn Episode 47 I speak with Reverend Dr. TK Nakagaki. Rev. Dr. Nakagaki is the author of the book 'The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler's Cross: Rescuing a Symbol of Peace from the Forces of Hate'. Published in 2017, the book presents a cross-cultural history of the “swastika”, a symbol of peace used by multiple Eastern religions, including Japanese Buddhism, and indigenous peoples but typically regarded as a hate symbol in the West. Known as 'manji' in Japan, the swastika is commonly found on Buddhist temples along with many Shinto shrines. In keeping with its meaning in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the swastika is a symbol of peace, light and represents the mind and teaching of the Buddha. It is found at temples and shrines throughout the country yet most international visitors depart without ever gaining an understanding of its meaning is the Japanese Buddhist context. I hope this episode goes some way to addressing that. Rev. Dr. Nakagaki is an ordained priest in the Jodoshinshu tradition of Japanese Buddhism and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York. He is a President Emeritus of the Buddhist Council of New York, an Honorary Board Member of the Interfaith Center of New York and a New York City Police Department Clergy Liaison along with a Hiroshima Peace Ambassador, Nagasaki Peace Correspondent and Honorary President of Sanghakaya Foundation of India. He graduated Ryukoku University in Kyoto in 1983 having majored in Buddhist history before undertaking advanced study in Jodoshinshu doctrine to Gyoshin Buddhist Seminary in Osaka from 1983 to 1985. He has an MA in Linguistics from California State University at Fresno in 1994 and a earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Multifaith Studies from the New York Theological Seminary in 2012. Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), reflects on her journey of faith, leadership, and advocacy. Rev. Breyer discusses her upbringing in an interfaith household, her experiences studying religion, and her eventual call to ordained ministry. She shares the transformative work of ICNY, which brings together diverse faith leaders to address critical issues like housing, immigration, and racial justice in New York City. Throughout the conversation, Rev. Breyer highlights the power of grassroots interfaith collaboration and her commitment to amplifying the role of religious communities in civic and social movements.   An ordained Episcopal priest and a dedicated advocate for peace and equity, Rev. Breyer brings a wealth of experience to her work. Beyond her leadership at ICNY, she has participated in interfaith initiatives in Afghanistan and Iran, authored The Close: A Young Woman's First Year at Seminary, and holds a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics. Rev. Breyer's work exemplifies the intersection of faith and justice, offering hope and tangible pathways for change in one of the world's most dynamic cities.   Listener Engagement: Discover more about Chloe via the website of the Interfaith Center of New York. Their social media handles LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and don't forget to buy her latest book: The Close: A Young Woman's First Year at Seminary. Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us. Explore the songs selected by Chloe and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here. Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram. Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives. Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).  

J.J. and Dr. Sara Labaton dive into the mysteries of Ibn Ezra's revolutionary commentary on the Bible. This is episode 2 of our series on the ideas of Abraham Ibn Ezra. Follow us on Twitter (X) @JewishIdeas_Pod to converse with other listeners about secret hermeneutics.Please rate and review the the show in the podcast app of your choice!We welcome all complaints and compliments at podcasts@torahinmotion.orgFor more information visit torahinmotion.org/podcastsDr. Sara Labaton is Director of Teaching and Learning at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. She was a member of the inaugural cohort of North American David Hartman Center Fellows. Sara received a B.A. in Religious Studies from Columbia University and a doctorate in Medieval Jewish Thought from the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at NYU. Her doctoral thesis focused on the relationship between the esoteric and peshat hermeneutics in the commentaries of Abraham ibn Ezra, particularly with regard to ibn Ezra's understanding of biblical cultic rituals. Sara was a founding faculty member of Yeshivat Hadar, where she developed a Bible and Exegesis curriculum. She has taught in a variety of Jewish settings, most recently as a history instructor at the Frisch School. Her research interests include the intersection of ritual and relevance, ritual experimentation, and overcoming the binary of halakhic–non-halakhic/insider-outsider in Jewish ritual practice. As part of her participation in the Religious Worlds Seminar at the Interfaith Center of New York, Sara researched ways of integrating comparative religion into Jewish educational contexts.

J.J. and Dr. Sara Labaton dive into the mysteries of Ibn Ezra's revolutionary commentary on the Bible. This is episode 2 of our series on the ideas of Abraham Ibn Ezra. Follow us on Twitter (X) @JewishIdeas_Pod to converse with other listeners about secret hermeneutics.Please rate and review the the show in the podcast app of your choice!We welcome all complaints and compliments at podcasts@torahinmotion.orgFor more information visit torahinmotion.org/podcastsDr. Sara Labaton is Director of Teaching and Learning at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. She was a member of the inaugural cohort of North American David Hartman Center Fellows. Sara received a B.A. in Religious Studies from Columbia University and a doctorate in Medieval Jewish Thought from the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at NYU. Her doctoral thesis focused on the relationship between the esoteric and peshat hermeneutics in the commentaries of Abraham ibn Ezra, particularly with regard to ibn Ezra's understanding of biblical cultic rituals. Sara was a founding faculty member of Yeshivat Hadar, where she developed a Bible and Exegesis curriculum. She has taught in a variety of Jewish settings, most recently as a history instructor at the Frisch School. Her research interests include the intersection of ritual and relevance, ritual experimentation, and overcoming the binary of halakhic–non-halakhic/insider-outsider in Jewish ritual practice. As part of her participation in the Religious Worlds Seminar at the Interfaith Center of New York, Sara researched ways of integrating comparative religion into Jewish educational contexts.

How can community representation be used to make legislative policy?  Kathryn Haines, Health Equity Manager from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy joined RHV to discuss how they bring people together to address health equity.   If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Kathryn and others to talk about maternal health, substance use disorders, and workforce in rural communities, this November in Abingdon at the Rural Health Voice conference.

Michael Lofton examines the new interfaith center in Moscow that features an Orthodox Church, Synagogue, Mosque and a Buddhist Temple. He also reviews Patriarch Bartholomew saying all religions worship the same God, Patriarch Kirill and Patriarch Tawadros II who say Muslims and Christians worship the same God. He then addresses Orthobro objections to these criticisms […]

Send me a messageIn this episode of the Climate Confident Podcast, I engage in a fascinating discussion with Yonatan Neril, founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD). Despite being an atheist myself, I recognise the potential of religion in shaping opinions and driving action. This prompted me to explore Yonatan's work in mobilising faith communities for ecological sustainability.Yonatan shares his journey from California to Israel, highlighting the deep connection between religion and ecology. We delve into the concept of integrating spiritual teachings with modern technological solutions to address climate change effectively. Yonatan explains how religious communities, often seen as a "sleeping giant," can be pivotal in inspiring ecological behaviour change.We also discuss the significance of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, which brought together diverse religious leaders to advocate for climate action. Yonatan offers practical examples of faith-based environmental initiatives and emphasises the importance of ethical consumption and sustainable living.Join us for an insightful conversation on how ancient spiritual wisdom can complement modern efforts to create a sustainable and spiritually aware future. Yonatan's ICSD links:FacebookInstagramTwitter andYouTubeWhether you're religious or not, this episode provides valuable perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. Don't miss it!Support the Show.Podcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Hal Good Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Devaang Bhatt Stephen Carroll Marcel Roquette Roger Arnold And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper

Special Guest:Timothy Smith, Senior Policy Advisor, Interfaith Center on Corporate ResponsibilityGuest Question:What is corporate/shareholder engagement? Why does the church and faith community matter in this work?Interfaith Center on Corporate ResponsibilityPCUSA's 2024 Proxy Voting RecommendationsFor Listening Guides, click here!Got a question for us? Send them to faithpodcast@pcusa.org! A Matter of Faith website

Ammar Abdul Rahman, deputy imam at Masjid Al-Haram USA in the Bronx and outreach coordinator for the asylum seeker shelter program at the Interfaith Center of New York, talks about his observance of Ramadan, and his work helping Muslim asylum seekers get acclimated as they make their way to the city from West African countries.  

In this episode, Frankly Speaking explores the new climate disclosure rules just agreed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States and asks what are the implications both in the US and worldwide. To answer those questions, Richard Howitt welcomes Tracey Rembert, Associate Director, Climate Change and Environmental Justice at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), and Alexandra Wright-Gladstein, founder and CEO of the climate-friendly investment fund Sphere. Together they discuss: If the SEC's rules are a major advance in business sustainability or too big compromise What are the positives of the new rules and potential challenges ahead Whether companies are going to get on and start preparing to do this now? If the ESG backlash is going to carry on unabated or does this decision change it in some way Their advice to investors and companies to start preparing for these new rules Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

The climate crisis is the fault of no single person or country, but rather a widespread ideology of materialism and overwhelming lack of compassion for the natural world. What's worse—the crisis is intensifying each year. These are some of the themes espoused by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, the founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development in Jerusalem, and the author of the Eco Bible series of books, which offer spiritual commentary on the Torah. In his telling, we need a spiritual transformation to reconnect with the world and stop suppressing the issue to confront it with more force. Ahead of Tu b'Shevat, and a few weeks after the United Nations' COP 28 climate conference, Not That Kind of Rabbi host Ralph Benmergui, who's working on a book about how climate as a spiritual crisis, sat down with Rabbi Neril to better understand the deep connection between spirituality, Judaism and our natural world—and where we go from here. Credits Not That Kind of Rabbi is hosted by Ralph Benmergui and produced by Michael Fraiman. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To support The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt, please consider a monthly donation by clicking here.

This week, millions of Central Canadians woke up once again to the distant smell of what seemed to be campfires. As was the case weeks ago, Canada's wildfires are raging beyond Alberta and British Columbia this year—they're keeping Ontarians and Quebeckers indoors, along with much of the population of New England, New York and beyond. Given that most Canadian Jews live in Ontario and Quebec, it feels right to revisit the role of Jewish activism in the fight against climate change, so we invited on Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founder of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development in Jerusalem, and the co-author of the Eco Bible, an ecological commentary on the Torah. Before that, Avi and Phoebe chat about the secret Canadian Jewish history of Babu Bhatt from Seinfeld; high-end gold-plated kosher dining; and whether the Segal Centre, a prominently Jewish arts hub in Montreal, should be putting on a production of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Credits Bonjour Chai is hosted by Avi Finegold and Phoebe Maltz Bovy. Zachary Kauffman is the producer and editor. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Socalled. The show is a co-production from The Jewish Learning Lab and The CJN, and is distributed by The CJN Podcast Network. Support the show by subscribing to this podcast or donating to The CJN.

Originally aired November 2022:  The Green Dragon RevisitedThe Globalists continue to push their “save the planet” false narrative on the world. In an effort to seize economic control and power, they are determined to destroy the economies of the nations (capitalism).  They are willing to allow mass starvation and death to millions by their green energy policies and by cutting the world off of fossil fuels. Recently, the UN is having its COP27 meeting this November to “save the planet,” which is really agenda 2030, with all the elites of the world, and this year it is in the Sinai Peninsula. Alongside this meeting, another group who will in attendance called the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development will go to Mt. Sinai, promote religious ecumenism, and give their own 10 commandments for people of all religions to abide under to go green and serve the Whore of Babylon. This is the most sacrilegious and satanic thing these people could do. It is an affront to God, and only judgment can come to these people who are committing the ultimate blaspheme. Text Alerts https://rockharborchurchca.ccbchurch.... Rumble - Rock Harbor Church Bakersfield - https://rumble.com/user/RHCBakersfield BitChute - RHCBakersfield - https://www.bitchute.com/channel/wNE8... Sermon Audio - Rock Harbor Church - https://www.sermonaudio.com/dashboard/ Find more & Follow Pastor Brandon Holthaus offers prophecy updates, discipleship lessons, and sermons to help people grow in the Lord and learn the truth. https://rockharborchurch.netFind Us & Follow, Likes n Share helps our Reach.-Amos37 Website-Amos37 on Facebook-Amos37 on Instagram-Amos37 on Rumble-Amos37 on Gettr-Amos37 on Gab-Amos37 on Parler

Next time on State of Belief Radio, Outrageous attacks on education in Florida. It's just part of Ron DeSantis' aggressive culture war attack on the state's diverse families, values and institutions. Matt Hartley is a Former Board Member and Chair of the Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida. He's the Director of the Interfaith Center at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and has first-person insights on the toll this attempt to roll back anything the presidential wanna-be governor deems as “Woke.” Also, the Summit for Religious Freedom. It's happening April 22-24th, and I'll talk with Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which is putting on the event. The Summit is a hub for the collective fight for religious freedom, church-state separation, and the issues that depend on them like LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, protecting public schools, and more.

New political action movement forms at the Beaches; post-pandemic cuts come to Medicaid; Interfaith Center and Jacksonville Jewish Center host program; health care discussion set at WJCT Studios.

Derrick speaks with Rabbi Yonatan Neril about the Eco-Bible, interfaith work on climate change, and connecting food to the climate crisis.    Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Raised in California, Yonatan completed an M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University with a focus on global environmental issues, and received rabbinical ordination in Israel. Yonatan is coauthor of the bestselling book Eco Bible, published by ICSD, which shines new light on how the Hebrew Bible and great religious thinkers have urged human care and stewardship of nature for thousands of years as a central message of spiritual wisdom. He has spoken internationally on religion and the environment, including at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, the Fez Climate Conscience Summit and the Parliament of World Religions. He co-organized ten interfaith environmental conferences in Jerusalem, New York City, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. He is the lead author of three books on Jewish environmental ethics and also co-authored three reports on faith and ecology courses in theological education. He lives with his wife, Shana and their two children in Jerusalem. https://interfaithsustain.com/ https://interfaithsustain.com/ecobible/     You can preorder Anna and Derrick's book "The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration" now: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506484112/The-Just-Kitchen  

People are making videos talking about their funny or bad dating experiences to go viral on platforms like TikTok. What if this was done to talk about the church and faith communities?Special Guests:Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Executive Director, The Interfaith Center for Sustainable DevelopmentRev. Dr. Leah Schade, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship, Lexington Theological SeminaryGuests' Question:It might seem obvious that we should be hearing about climate justice from our pulpits and leaders in our faith communities. But some leaders need a little prodding or direction. How can we encourage them to preach and speak on these issues? Are there resources available to help them relate religion and climate justice in their sermon and homily preparations?The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development EcoPreacher 1-2-3 resourcesEco BibleBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererAll We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine K. Wilkinson Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis by Leah D. Schade and Margaret Bullitt-JonasFor the Beauty of the Earth: A Lenten Devotional by By Leah D. SchadeLast Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard LouvEarth Prayers: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations from Around the World by Elizabeth Roberts & Elias AmidonOther Media:Doug Tallamy video: Restoring Nature - What People of Faith Can Do to Heal the Earth "A Wilderness Like Eden: Stories of the Christian Food Movement" is a project highlighting the work of ministries working at the intersection of food and faith. The "Spring"episode focuses on the ways four ministries found hope in the midst of adjusting their program due to the pandemic. Citizen's Climate Lobby podcast: Episode 25: Race, pollution, and justice. Websites with resources for greening congregations:Creation Justice Ministries resources for Earth Day.Let All Creation PraiseEcoAmericaBlessed TomorrowClimate HealthLutherans Restoring Creation Emerging Earth CommunityFor Listening Guides, click here!Got a question for us? Send them to faithpodcast@pcusa.org! A Matter of Faith website

The women there (in Afghanistan) are incredibly strong and dedicated people so if they can do it, I guess we can continue on.Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer spoke with CEIE's Director Dr. Michael Reid Trice about how under her leadership as the director of the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), it has developed a pioneering curriculum in civics training for grassroots religious leaders and has built multi-faith advocacy coalition preventing bias crimes and promoting criminal justice and immigration reform.The Religica Theolab is now at home at The Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University More from The Religica Theolab at https://religica.org More from The Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University at https://www.seattleu.edu/thecenter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Religica.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/religica YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPuwufds6gAu2u6xmm8SBuw Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-religica Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CZwIO4uGP1voqiVpYdMas?si=0k2-TSmwTkuTQC2rgdGObQ Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/religica/id1448005061?mt=2 The Religica Theolab is a comprehensive online platform at the axis of religion and society that provides non-sectarian, coherent, integrated and accessible awareness about the role of religion in society, with a focus on strengthening local communities.

On this episode of the NTEB Prophecy News Podcast, we take you to Egypt, a type of the lost world in your King James Bible, to where the United Nations COP27 Climate Change Conference has been well under way since Monday. It is here that Emmanuel Macron has taken center stage as its erstwhile leader. On Monday the 14th, the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development will go up to Mount Sinai and perform Chrislam religious ceremonies as they bow to Mother Gaia and repent of climate sins. When you've reached the point where your everyday life and a Chick tract meet, you're right about at the end which is exactly where we are right now. The doctrine of Climate Change is nothing more than the hook required to bring in a New World Order under the control of the United Nations. All this and more on this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast!

Born and raised in the village of Harlem and in the Bronx, NY, Bishop Darren A. Ferguson is known as a leader for this generation – a preacher, teacher, singer, motivational speaker and social activist. Rev. Darren A. Ferguson has been called a “rising star in the ministry” by the Rev. Al Sharpton. During his nearly 2 decade career in NYC, he has served in the Fatherhood program at the Osborne Association, Coordinated Reentry Services for the Interfaith Center of New York, served as Assistant Dean of Students at SUNY College at Old Westbury and Youth Minister at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.  Now studying toward his Doctor of Ministry at New York Theological Seminary, Rev. Ferguson has had a dynamic and involved career.

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy unpack the latest on schools banning books, and Missy recounts her own experience of trying to censor book content for her boys. Guest: Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founder and executive director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Neril is also the co-author of the best-selling "Eco Bible." "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development ~ https://interfaithsustain.com/ Eco Bible ~ https://interfaithsustain.com/ecobible/ Richard Piano Scott ~ https://www.richardpianoscott.com/

Hear Rachel Kahn-Troster's journey to her current role as Executive Vice President at the Interfaith Center on Corporate ResponsibilityFor more corporate governance podcasts, check out Feedspot's list of the Top 15 Corporate Governance Podcasts (which includes Women Governance Trailblazers (listed as Women Governance Gurus)) - https://blog.feedspot.com/corporate_governance_podcasts/

Suhag Shukla joins me in this conversation on race to answer the question, “Is it racist to talk about race?” Suhag is the executive director of the Hindu American Foundation. She's also on the Homeland Security, faith-based security and communications Foundation. And she's a leading voice for civil and human rights and religious freedom.   Key topics:   [1.45] How she grew up straddling both a Hindu identity and an American identity and realizing that the core teachings of Hinduism and being an American fit together.   [5:11] The so-called “founding fathers” who didn't consider Black and Native American people full human beings.     [5:46] First experience with racism during the oil crisis in the 1970s and being "othered."   [7:51] Is caste and/or asking about caste racist? The history of caste and Indian society as well as the British and Portuguese in India.   [10:51] Social Identities, castes, and religious traditions   [12:11] Commonalities in communities and castes in India How people in India identify today beyond caste, who has social capital based on class   [15:11] Myths of caste and the fluidity of castes and engagement across different group   The complexity of Indian society, and the assumptions that people outside of India make about people in India   American society tries to simplify economic and social societies in India without any real understanding   [25.48]  US school textbooks teach about other cultures and countries like they are stuck in time, and not what's happening now   People in the US don't understand Indian culture today and even asked Suhag if she has electricity in India if her parents arranged her marriage while she was in elementary school   Being assigned a caste by a reporter in a recent interview based on her last name and how she confronted the reporter   Preconceived notions about her. because of her Indian heritage and culture and asking racist questions   [33:13]  The recent survey by the Carnegie Endowment for peace, conducted one of the first-ever comprehensive surveys done of Indian Americans and Indian American attitudes shows that with each subsequent generation, there's less and less affinity towards identifying by caste. And  when it comes to discrimination, close to 50% of the people responding out of 1000 people in the survey reported having faced discrimination in the year previously   [39:55] Institutionalizing of caste at Brandeis, Harvard, CSU and other universities. Suhag's view of why it is racist to ask about caste and include it in a protected category- that it has never been an issue in education   Guest Bio Suhag Shukla, Esq., Executive Director, is a co-founder of HAF. She holds a BA in Religion and JD from the University of Florida. Ms. Shukla has helped steer the Foundation to being recognized as a leading voice for civil rights, human rights, and religious freedom. She's been instrumental in the development of a broad range of educational materials and position papers and blogs for a variety of platforms. Ms. Shukla has served on the Boards of the Nirvana Center, Main Line Indian Association, and YWCA of Minneapolis. She was also a member of the Department of Homeland Security Faith-Based Security and Communications Subcommittee. Ms. Shukla is actively involved with Chinmaya Mission, serves on the board of the Bhutanese American Organization of Philadelphia, and is a thought partner for the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia's Paths to Understanding Public Art Initiative. Shukla is a member of the board for the National Museum of American Religion and serves on religious advisory committees for the Council on Foreign Relations, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security's Subcommittee for the Prevention of Targeted Violence Against Faith-Based Communities and is a member of the First Amendment Center's Committee on Religious Liberty and the United Nations Women's Gender Equality and Religion platform. Shukla was named one of twelve “faith leaders to watch in 2017” by the Center for American Progress.   Email: Info@HinduAmerican.org   Host Bio Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.” Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition) 

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges-including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic pollution-the groundbreaking Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee's Eco Bible (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, 2020) dives into this question. Drawing on 3,500 years of religious ethics, it shows how the Bible itself and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. Eco Bible both informs the reader and inspires spiritual commitment and action to protect all of God's creation. This 'earth Bible' is a great read for those interested in Jewish and Christian social issues. It also represents an important contribution to eco theology, and to the spiritual ecology movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges-including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic pollution-the groundbreaking Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee's Eco Bible (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, 2020) dives into this question. Drawing on 3,500 years of religious ethics, it shows how the Bible itself and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. Eco Bible both informs the reader and inspires spiritual commitment and action to protect all of God's creation. This 'earth Bible' is a great read for those interested in Jewish and Christian social issues. It also represents an important contribution to eco theology, and to the spiritual ecology movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges-including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic pollution-the groundbreaking Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee's Eco Bible (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, 2020) dives into this question. Drawing on 3,500 years of religious ethics, it shows how the Bible itself and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. Eco Bible both informs the reader and inspires spiritual commitment and action to protect all of God's creation. This 'earth Bible' is a great read for those interested in Jewish and Christian social issues. It also represents an important contribution to eco theology, and to the spiritual ecology movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges-including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic pollution-the groundbreaking Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee's Eco Bible (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, 2020) dives into this question. Drawing on 3,500 years of religious ethics, it shows how the Bible itself and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. Eco Bible both informs the reader and inspires spiritual commitment and action to protect all of God's creation. This 'earth Bible' is a great read for those interested in Jewish and Christian social issues. It also represents an important contribution to eco theology, and to the spiritual ecology movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges-including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic pollution-the groundbreaking Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee's Eco Bible (Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, 2020) dives into this question. Drawing on 3,500 years of religious ethics, it shows how the Bible itself and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. Eco Bible both informs the reader and inspires spiritual commitment and action to protect all of God's creation. This 'earth Bible' is a great read for those interested in Jewish and Christian social issues. It also represents an important contribution to eco theology, and to the spiritual ecology movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies

Christians are called to go into the world but not become part of it. That's always a challenge, especially with investing. We'll talk about faith-based investing today with Chris Meyer. Chris Meyer is Manager of Stewardship Investing Advocacy and Research with Praxis Mutual Funds. Praxis is a faith-based family of mutual funds that has been around for over 26 years and prides itself on delivering real-world impact in support of Kingdom values. When many people think of integrating their values with their investments, their focus is usually screening out companies that don't share our values. However, the Praxis approach clearly goes beyond screening. Meyer explains that Paxis believes screening is important, as a clear expression of the values Christians hold. But he says there are also other strategies beyond weeding certain companies out of your portfolio that can make a difference. One of those strategies is shareholder advocacy. The means engaging company to promote positive change. That could mean letter writing, filing sharehold resolutions, and dialogue with company management. Meyer says in most of Praxis' corporate engagement, they collaborate with other faith-based investors and organizations. Praxis is a member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a member-based organization dedicated to shareholder advocacy. Meyer says that collaboration helps to multiply their impact. Praxis has been a part of engagement companies are a range of important issues including human trafficking, economic inequality, and creation care. For more information about the efforts of Praxis and its investment services, visit PraxisMutualFunds.com. On today's program, Rob also answers listener questions: ● What are I-bonds and are they a good investment? ● Is the The Monte Carlo retirement prediction method accurate, and is it a good way to plan for retirement? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to Questions@MoneyWise.org. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Christians are called to go into the world but not become part of it. That's always a challenge, especially with investing. We'll talk about faith-based investing today with Chris Meyer. Chris Meyer is Manager of Stewardship Investing Advocacy and Research with Praxis Mutual Funds. Praxis is a faith-based family of mutual funds that has been around for over 26 years and prides itself on delivering real-world impact in support of Kingdom values. When many people think of integrating their values with their investments, their focus is usually screening out companies that don't share our values. However, the Praxis approach clearly goes beyond screening. Meyer explains that Paxis believes screening is important, as a clear expression of the values Christians hold. But he says there are also other strategies beyond weeding certain companies out of your portfolio that can make a difference. One of those strategies is shareholder advocacy. The means engaging company to promote positive change. That could mean letter writing, filing sharehold resolutions, and dialogue with company management. Meyer says in most of Praxis' corporate engagement, they collaborate with other faith-based investors and organizations. Praxis is a member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a member-based organization dedicated to shareholder advocacy. Meyer says that collaboration helps to multiply their impact. Praxis has been a part of engagement companies are a range of important issues including human trafficking, economic inequality, and creation care. For more information about the efforts of Praxis and its investment services, visit PraxisMutualFunds.com. On today's program, Rob also answers listener questions: ● What are I-bonds and are they a good investment? ● Is the The Monte Carlo retirement prediction method accurate, and is it a good way to plan for retirement? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to Questions@MoneyWise.org. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Ep 287 | Aired 03/11/2022 The Rev. Susan Sims Smith is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Center. Smith was a Jungian oriented psychotherapist for 25 years, and has been an Episcopal priest since 1999. She founded Seedwork, a project to teach people how to listen to wisdom from their dreams and from meditation. She spearheaded the foundation of the Arkansas House of Prayer, an interfaith center for prayer and meditation, and serves as a life-time board member. She started the Interfaith Center in 2011. The mission of the Interfaith Center is to reduce the hatred and fear among the world religions. It is a part of the Institute for Theological Studies at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Arkansas. The first year was used to learn more about the current interfaith work in the community. They engaged in a series of one-on-one meetings with leaders in congregations, schools and organizations who were involved in or interested in being involved in interfaith work. The Rt. Rev. Larry E. Maze, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, said, “Seldom have I known another person as dedicated to her own self-understanding and more willing to let that understanding be distilled into teaching in order to benefit others. She has remained a dedicated priest of the church even while pushing limits of belief and understandings. I heartily endorse her work.”

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.  

Daisy Khan has devoted much of her life to fighting Islamophobia, increasing public understanding of Islam and breaking down barriers between Muslims and other faiths. Ms. Khan served for 18 years as executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, where she was hailed as a bridge builder for promoting cultural and religious harmony through intra-faith programs such as Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow and inter-faith arts programs. To combat anti-Muslim bias, she created the "Today, I am a Muslim Too" rally involving 100 interfaith organizations. She has also worked to modernize the role of women within Islam. Khan founded The Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) with the express goal of peace building, gender equality and human dignity. She says that women's leadership is essential to solving societal issues, and that the WISE Shura Council is creating a crucial space for activism that contributes to Muslim women's struggle for justice. The council issues informed and religiously grounded opinions on controversial issues of particular relevance to Muslim women in their personal, familial and societal lives. By advocating a constructive conception of women's status, rights and responsibilities, Khan says these opinions function as legitimate alternatives to oppressive religious arguments. Ms. Khan's awards and honors include: the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, Edinburgh Peace Award, and the Interfaith Center's Award for Promoting Peace. She's been listed among Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People and was ranked among the “Top Ten Women Faith leaders” by The Huffington Post. Khan plans to follow her 2018 memoir, Born with Wings, with two forthcoming books: 30 Rights of Muslim Women and WISE UP White Supremacy. Come for an important conversation with Daisy Khan about Islam and the advancement of Muslim women. SPEAKERS Daisy Khan Founder, Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE); Co-Founder & Former Exec. Director, American Society of Muslim Advancement (ASMA) ; Author, Born With Wings In Conversation with Sara Abbasi Philanthropist; Provider of Endowment, Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies, Stanford University In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on June 16th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daisy Khan has devoted much of her life to fighting Islamophobia, increasing public understanding of Islam and breaking down barriers between Muslims and other faiths. Ms. Khan served for 18 years as executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, where she was hailed as a bridge builder for promoting cultural and religious harmony through intra-faith programs such as Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow and inter-faith arts programs. To combat anti-Muslim bias, she created the "Today, I am a Muslim Too" rally involving 100 interfaith organizations. She has also worked to modernize the role of women within Islam. Khan founded The Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) with the express goal of peace building, gender equality and human dignity. She says that women's leadership is essential to solving societal issues, and that the WISE Shura Council is creating a crucial space for activism that contributes to Muslim women's struggle for justice. The council issues informed and religiously grounded opinions on controversial issues of particular relevance to Muslim women in their personal, familial and societal lives. By advocating a constructive conception of women's status, rights and responsibilities, Khan says these opinions function as legitimate alternatives to oppressive religious arguments. Ms. Khan's awards and honors include: the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, Edinburgh Peace Award, and the Interfaith Center's Award for Promoting Peace. She's been listed among Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People and was ranked among the “Top Ten Women Faith leaders” by The Huffington Post. Khan plans to follow her 2018 memoir, Born with Wings, with two forthcoming books: 30 Rights of Muslim Women and WISE UP White Supremacy. Come for an important conversation with Daisy Khan about Islam and the advancement of Muslim women. SPEAKERS Daisy Khan Founder, Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE); Co-Founder & Former Exec. Director, American Society of Muslim Advancement (ASMA) ; Author, Born With Wings In Conversation with Sara Abbasi Philanthropist; Provider of Endowment, Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies, Stanford University In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on June 16th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Laura Chandler is joined by writer, activist, and Founder of the Global Peace Initiative of Women, Dena Merriam, to talk about her latest book, When the Bright Moon Rises: The Awakening of Ancient Memories. The book spans several periods from Vedic India to the Han and Tang Dynasties of China. It is an eloquent testimony to the evolution of a soul and the lessons learned over lifetimes. Dena and Laura discuss the remarkable awakening that was the impetus for writing the book, as well as the significance of the times we are living in and the part past lives play in understanding our current life. Dena is the author of two other books, The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale for Our Time and My Journey Through Time. In addition to being the Founder of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), Dena was the Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held at the United Nations in New York in the year 2000. She is a long time practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation and a devotee of the spiritual master Yogananda for over 40 years. She received her master's degree from Columbia University in sacred literature, and has served on the boards of many prestigious organizations, including the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions and the Interfaith Center of New York. Our featured music is from Rajeev Taranath, one of India's foremost classical musicians, and a master of the sarod. His career spans over four decades and he was a distinguished disciple of the late legendary maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Rajeev has received many honors including India's highest government award in the arts, the esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000.

“Bowing…can be considered a technology for changing one’s consciousness.  How will the world be better if I don’t change myself?” About a year after being ordained a Buddhist monk at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Talmage, California in 1976, Reverend Heng Sure undertook a walking pilgrimage along virtually the entire length of California’s coast, together with then-fellow Buddhist monastic Dr. Martin Verhoeven (formerly Heng Ch’au). The walking pilgrimage the pair embarked on consisted of taking “Three Steps, One Bow” throughout the 800-mile coastal journey on California's Highway 1, progressing at the pace of one mile per day. Maintaining a vow of total silence and eating only one meal a day, Rev. Heng Sure’s knees endured more than a million bends in the 2 years and 9 months of the journey, even bowing to gun-wielding men in three separate instances.  Much like the California landscape he encountered, the inner terrain traversed included both defilement and divine insight. The pilgrimage opened a humbling space of vulnerability and sensitivity where Heng Sure could closely observe how the microcosm of the self influences the macrocosm of the world, leading to a heightened awareness of how what he generated in the mind directly led to what manifested in the world -- how the more peaceful he became inside, the more peaceful the treatment he received from people on the outside.  Yet the pilgrimage never ended, initially extending for 3+ subsequent years of silent circumambulation of the Buddha Hall at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the same three-steps-and-a-bow format, and then becoming a template and compass for a lifelong practice of inner and outer transformation that radiates through all he does -- across music, interfaith dialogue, vegan advocacy, Buddhist text translation, and lectures, seminars, and retreats around the world. His monastic name could be translated as “Constantly Real” or “Fruition of Truth”, and it's impossible to meet Rev. Heng Sure without feeling the living vibrancy of its meaning. Whether humbly and disarmingly sharing how his teacher chose his name, or strumming his guitar to a folk ballad he composed, his words often land as simultaneously light and deep, both precise and expansive at the same time. Now more than 45 years in robes, he’s the most senior western monastic disciple of the late Venerable Chan Master Hsuan Hua, though his journey to Buddhism began much earlier. Rev. Heng Sure was born Chistopher Russell Clowery to a Scotch-Irish Methodist family in Columbus, Ohio, growing up squarely in mainstream American culture "playing baseball and watching Mickey Mouse Club and gunfighter shows on television." At age 13, his aunt gave him a catalog of a Chinese painter’s exhibit, and the Chinese characters caught his eye, almost as if he’d seen them before. This sparked an interest in the Chinese language, which he was fortunate to learn in high school through one of the three such language programs in the country at public schools, which happened to be in Toledo where he lived. He soon happened upon the Sixth Patriarch’s Dharma-jewel, Platform Sutra in bilingual, Chinese-English translation, and realized that his heart was tuned to a Far Eastern faith tradition, not the Middle Eastern, Abrahamic stories of his parents’ generation. Following the Chinese language all the way through university, he received his Master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Oriental languages, which set the stage for meeting his teacher after a short collegiate career as a theater actor. A fortuitous call from a former college roommate encouraged him to cross the Bay Bridge to Gold Mountain Monastery in San Francisco where the abbot was lecturing on the Avatamsaka Sutra. Passing the threshold of the monastery doors, his doubts and fears about his political anti-war activism, academic career, and folk musical inclinations all melted away. He distinctly heard a quiet voice saying, “You’re back. Go to work. You’re home.” Master Hua, his eventual teacher, was a strict disciplinarian who taught Buddhism from its ethical foundations, emphasizing the importance of how you are as a person is equally important and in fact the very source of how you practice meditation. Inspired by the clarity and rigor of the teachings, as well as the example of other teachers in Master Hua’s lineage, Heng Sure asked for permission to go on a bowing and walking pilgrimage. Master Hua assented, but asked him to wait until his ‘dharma protector’ arrived. A year later, a martial artist named Martin Verhoeven arrived. Heng Sure recognized Martin’s desire and affinity to the pilgrimage, and took novice precepts and vows as a monastic to fulfill his role, armed only with the four weapons of a Bodhisattva: kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. “If either of you fights -- or even indulges in anger -- you will no longer be my disciples,” said their teacher before they began. Thus encouraged by his teacher to see everything as a test, Heng Sure recognized that if he could transform his own greed, anger, and delusions, then perhaps he could do something to make the world more peaceful. In essence, the bowing practice boiled down to cleaning up the part of the unpeaceful world that he could control: his own thoughts and words. It was a pilgrimage for world peace, starting with his own mind. The pilgrims maintained a written correspondence with their teacher where they intimately shared their experiences and insights, which were later compiled and published as Highway Dharma Letters: Two Buddhist Pilgrims Write to Their Teacher, a remarkable spiritual diary of the modern era. Rev. Heng Sure is the Managing Director of Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and an adjunct professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University. He lectures worldwide on Buddhism, Buddhist texts, translation, meditation, interfaith dialogue, and plant-based eating. He serves as President of both Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and the Buddhist Text Translation Society. He’s fluent in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Japanese, and regularly leads lectures, seminars, and retreats around the globe including at the Parliament of World Religions. He’s a founding Trustee of the United Religions Initiative, a long-time trustee for the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, and on the core faculty of the Institute for World Religions. He also teaches Buddhist Philosophy at Bond University in Queensland, Australia. He earned a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. A folk singer and guitarist who integrates his penetrating insights of reality with his “mainstream American” roots through the vehicle of song, Rev. Heng Sure has published three albums of original Buddhist folk music. His music and podcasts can be found at Dharma Radio, with his lectures available at DharmaRealm Live. His photography of the natural world can be found on his SmugMug site and Instagram @Rev.Heng Sure. A monk with many far-reaching talents, Rev. Heng Sure has been known to draw upon his puppeteering ability as skillful means to drive home fine points of the dharma. Join Nipun Mehta in a special conversation with this remarkably humble and insightful pilgrim.

“Bowing…can be considered a technology for changing one’s consciousness.  How will the world be better if I don’t change myself?” About a year after being ordained a Buddhist monk at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Talmage, California in 1976, Reverend Heng Sure undertook a walking pilgrimage along virtually the entire length of California’s coast, together with then-fellow Buddhist monastic Dr. Martin Verhoeven (formerly Heng Ch’au). The walking pilgrimage the pair embarked on consisted of taking “Three Steps, One Bow” throughout the 800-mile coastal journey on California's Highway 1, progressing at the pace of one mile per day. Maintaining a vow of total silence and eating only one meal a day, Rev. Heng Sure’s knees endured more than a million bends in the 2 years and 9 months of the journey, even bowing to gun-wielding men in three separate instances.  Much like the California landscape he encountered, the inner terrain traversed included both defilement and divine insight. The pilgrimage opened a humbling space of vulnerability and sensitivity where Heng Sure could closely observe how the microcosm of the self influences the macrocosm of the world, leading to a heightened awareness of how what he generated in the mind directly led to what manifested in the world -- how the more peaceful he became inside, the more peaceful the treatment he received from people on the outside.  Yet the pilgrimage never ended, initially extending for 3+ subsequent years of silent circumambulation of the Buddha Hall at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the same three-steps-and-a-bow format, and then becoming a template and compass for a lifelong practice of inner and outer transformation that radiates through all he does -- across music, interfaith dialogue, vegan advocacy, Buddhist text translation, and lectures, seminars, and retreats around the world. His monastic name could be translated as “Constantly Real” or “Fruition of Truth”, and it's impossible to meet Rev. Heng Sure without feeling the living vibrancy of its meaning. Whether humbly and disarmingly sharing how his teacher chose his name, or strumming his guitar to a folk ballad he composed, his words often land as simultaneously light and deep, both precise and expansive at the same time. Now more than 45 years in robes, he’s the most senior western monastic disciple of the late Venerable Chan Master Hsuan Hua, though his journey to Buddhism began much earlier. Rev. Heng Sure was born Chistopher Russell Clowery to a Scotch-Irish Methodist family in Columbus, Ohio, growing up squarely in mainstream American culture "playing baseball and watching Mickey Mouse Club and gunfighter shows on television." At age 13, his aunt gave him a catalog of a Chinese painter’s exhibit, and the Chinese characters caught his eye, almost as if he’d seen them before. This sparked an interest in the Chinese language, which he was fortunate to learn in high school through one of the three such language programs in the country at public schools, which happened to be in Toledo where he lived. He soon happened upon the Sixth Patriarch’s Dharma-jewel, Platform Sutra in bilingual, Chinese-English translation, and realized that his heart was tuned to a Far Eastern faith tradition, not the Middle Eastern, Abrahamic stories of his parents’ generation. Following the Chinese language all the way through university, he received his Master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Oriental languages, which set the stage for meeting his teacher after a short collegiate career as a theater actor. A fortuitous call from a former college roommate encouraged him to cross the Bay Bridge to Gold Mountain Monastery in San Francisco where the abbot was lecturing on the Avatamsaka Sutra. Passing the threshold of the monastery doors, his doubts and fears about his political anti-war activism, academic career, and folk musical inclinations all melted away. He distinctly heard a quiet voice saying, “You’re back. Go to work. You’re home.” Master Hua, his eventual teacher, was a strict disciplinarian who taught Buddhism from its ethical foundations, emphasizing the importance of how you are as a person is equally important and in fact the very source of how you practice meditation. Inspired by the clarity and rigor of the teachings, as well as the example of other teachers in Master Hua’s lineage, Heng Sure asked for permission to go on a bowing and walking pilgrimage. Master Hua assented, but asked him to wait until his ‘dharma protector’ arrived. A year later, a martial artist named Martin Verhoeven arrived. Heng Sure recognized Martin’s desire and affinity to the pilgrimage, and took novice precepts and vows as a monastic to fulfill his role, armed only with the four weapons of a Bodhisattva: kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. “If either of you fights -- or even indulges in anger -- you will no longer be my disciples,” said their teacher before they began. Thus encouraged by his teacher to see everything as a test, Heng Sure recognized that if he could transform his own greed, anger, and delusions, then perhaps he could do something to make the world more peaceful. In essence, the bowing practice boiled down to cleaning up the part of the unpeaceful world that he could control: his own thoughts and words. It was a pilgrimage for world peace, starting with his own mind. The pilgrims maintained a written correspondence with their teacher where they intimately shared their experiences and insights, which were later compiled and published as Highway Dharma Letters: Two Buddhist Pilgrims Write to Their Teacher, a remarkable spiritual diary of the modern era. Rev. Heng Sure is the Managing Director of Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and an adjunct professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University. He lectures worldwide on Buddhism, Buddhist texts, translation, meditation, interfaith dialogue, and plant-based eating. He serves as President of both Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and the Buddhist Text Translation Society. He’s fluent in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Japanese, and regularly leads lectures, seminars, and retreats around the globe including at the Parliament of World Religions. He’s a founding Trustee of the United Religions Initiative, a long-time trustee for the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, and on the core faculty of the Institute for World Religions. He also teaches Buddhist Philosophy at Bond University in Queensland, Australia. He earned a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. A folk singer and guitarist who integrates his penetrating insights of reality with his “mainstream American” roots through the vehicle of song, Rev. Heng Sure has published three albums of original Buddhist folk music. His music and podcasts can be found at Dharma Radio, with his lectures available at DharmaRealm Live. His photography of the natural world can be found on his SmugMug site and Instagram @Rev.Heng Sure. A monk with many far-reaching talents, Rev. Heng Sure has been known to draw upon his puppeteering ability as skillful means to drive home fine points of the dharma. Join Nipun Mehta in a special conversation with this remarkably humble and insightful pilgrim.

Bawa Jain is a visionary leader in the interfaith movement throughout the world. Mr. Jain is Founder and President of The Centre for Responsible Leadership (https://www.thecrl.org/​), a non-profit organization dedicated to assembling global thought leaders to find concrete solutions to the major challenges plaguing our world today. Mr. Jain is also the Chairman of the World Youth Peace Summit, which brings together dynamic young leaders who share the dream of peace, organizing Youth Peace Conferences and facilitating a worldwide network that links active young people, and the Secretary General of the World Council of Religious Leaders, an independent body, working to bring religious resources to support the work of the United Nations in a common quest for peace. Mr. Jain Co-Founded the Religious Initiative of The World Economic Forum, Founded The Gandhi King Awards for Non-Violence, and launched World Council of Religious Leader's Religion One on One Initiative and is a strong proponent of Religious Diplomacy. In addition to these activities, Mr. Jain's visionary contribution to the betterment of humanity is found in other programs that he inaugurated or has worked with , including The World Movement for Nonviolence, which fosters the practices and principles of non-violence in daily life, the Season for Nonviolence, involved in non-violence youth programs, and the Interfaith Center of New York, where he served as Vice President. In response to the requests of UN Agencies and governments, Mr. Jain travels around the world to speak on religious diplomacy, spirituality, religion, and peace. He is published and has been the recipient of numerous awards.

Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster is the original #tomatorabbi creating partnerships between the Jewish community and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Now the Executive Vice President at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, she works with faith and values-based investors to catalyze their assets for social change. Previously Rachel worked at T'ruah where she was the lead strategist on human rights campaigns and organized more than 2,000 rabbis and cantors.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Raised in California, Yonatan completed an M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University with a focus on global environmental issues, and received rabbinical ordination in Israel. Yonatan is co-author of the bestselling book Eco Bible, published by ICSD, which shines new light on how the Hebrew Bible and great religious thinkers have urged human care and stewardship of nature for thousands of years as a central message of spiritual wisdom. He has spoken internationally on religion and the environment, including at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, the Fez Climate Conscience Summit and the Parliament of World Religions. Yonatan co-organized ten interfaith environmental conferences in Jerusalem, New York City, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. He is the lead author of three books on Jewish environmental ethics and also co-authored three reports on faith and ecology courses in theological education. He lives with his wife, Shana and their two children in Jerusalem. On this episode, Yonatan shares his one way ticket to a sustainable future – a spiritually aware, thriving and ecologically sustainable human society that's living in balance with all creation. In the conversation, he offers solutions on how we can get to this destination. Plus Yonatan reflects on how environmentalism, sustainability, ecological preservation and the adoption of a plant based diet, all have origins in the bible. Yonatan is just one of the dynamic personalities featured on The One Way Ticket Show, where Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guests where they would go if given a one way ticket, no coming back. Their destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or a state of mind. Steven's guests have included: Nobel Peace Prize Winner, President Jose Ramos-Horta; Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Fashion Expert, Tim Gunn; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Former Senator, Joe Lieberman; Playwright, David Henry Hwang; Journalist-Humorist-Actor, Mo Rocca; SkyBridge Capital Founder & Co-Managing Partner, Anthony Scaramucci; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, chefs, writers, intellectuals and more.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril is the Founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD). The ICSD reveals the connection between religion and ecology and mobilizes faith communities to act. They believe the ecological crisis is about how we live as spiritual beings in a physical reality and that the world's religions need to be fully on board in order to curb the impact of climate change. The scale of the ecological crisis becomes more severe each year, and with over 6 billion people in the world identifying with a religion there's a huge under-leveraged ability for humanity to turn the collective shift. Rabbi Yonatan shares that we can't just think about ourselves, we need to raise our spiritual level of awareness so that we care for other people and for other species.

When the Bright Moon Rises: The Awakening of Ancient Memories is Dena Merriam's rich and extensive story of her past lives. This, her third book is a love story between the sages and the cosmic forces known as the deities, love of the sages and of the people, and love between individuals seeking to express this universal force of love that exists within us all. It is a study of karma, the cosmic law of cause and effect. Dena's weaves her story through her life that begins in Vedic India around the 9th century BCE when two people meet and the seeding of a love that cannot be fulfilled then but comes to fruition nearly 10,000 years later during the Tang Empire in china when they are reborn as the poet Li Bai and his poet wife. The awakening of her previous births initiates an inner struggle that is only resolved under the guidance of her Daoist Master. This is the story of love and compassion, trust, truth, living with grace and inner peace. This is her story. Dena is an author, storyteller and the Founder and Convener of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), which seeks to bring spiritual resources to address critical global challenges, such as conflict, social justice, and ecological scarring of the earth. Over the years she has worked to bring greater gender balance and between the Abrahamic and Dharma-based religious traditions for a more inclusive interfaith movement. Merriam served as Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and convened a meeting of women religious and spiritual leaders at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and from that gathering founded the Global Peace Initiative of women in 2002. Among GPIW's many programs is the organization of a session on the inner dimensions of climate change as the annual UN Climate Summits. In 2008, Merriam was one of the founding members of the Contemplative Alliance, which later became a program of GPIW and which explores hoe meditation and contemplative practices are reshaping the spiritual landscape our societies. For over 40 years, Dena has been a devotee of Paramahansa Yogananda, a practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation, and a student of the great texts of the Vedic tradition. Merriam received her MA from Columbia University in Sacred Literature. She has served on the boards of the Harvard Center of Study of World Religions, he Interfaith Center of New York, The International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, Manitou Foundation, All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva), the Gross National Happiness Center in Bhutan and as an advisor to the board of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association. In 2014 she received the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts. She is the author of My Journey through Time: A Spiritual Memoir of Life, Death and Rebirth and The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale for our Time. She is currently working on a book entitled Rukmini & the Turning of Time: The Birth of an Era expected release in 2021. Find out more about Dena Merriam at http://www.gpiw.org/

When the Bright Moon Rises: The Awakening of Ancient Memories is Dena Merriam’s rich and extensive story of her past lives. This, her third book is a love story between the sages and the cosmic forces known as the deities, love of the sages and of the people, and love between individuals seeking to express this universal force of love that exists within us all. It is a study of karma, the cosmic law of cause and effect. Dena’s weaves her story through her life that begins in Vedic India around the 9th century BCE when two people meet and the seeding of a love that cannot be fulfilled then but comes to fruition nearly 10,000 years later during the Tang Empire in china when they are reborn as the poet Li Bai and his poet wife. The awakening of her previous births initiates an inner struggle that is only resolved under the guidance of her Daoist Master. This is the story of love and compassion, trust, truth, living with grace and inner peace. This is her story. Dena is an author, storyteller and the Founder and Convener of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), which seeks to bring spiritual resources to address critical global challenges, such as conflict, social justice, and ecological scarring of the earth. Over the years she has worked to bring greater gender balance and between the Abrahamic and Dharma-based religious traditions for a more inclusive interfaith movement. Merriam served as Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and convened a meeting of women religious and spiritual leaders at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and from that gathering founded the Global Peace Initiative of women in 2002. Among GPIW’s many programs is the organization of a session on the inner dimensions of climate change as the annual UN Climate Summits. In 2008, Merriam was one of the founding members of the Contemplative Alliance, which later became a program of GPIW and which explores hoe meditation and contemplative practices are reshaping the spiritual landscape our societies. For over 40 years, Dena has been a devotee of Paramahansa Yogananda, a practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation, and a student of the great texts of the Vedic tradition. Merriam received her MA from Columbia University in Sacred Literature. She has served on the boards of the Harvard Center of Study of World Religions, he Interfaith Center of New York, The International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, Manitou Foundation, All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva), the Gross National Happiness Center in Bhutan and as an advisor to the board of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association. In 2014 she received the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts. She is the author of My Journey through Time: A Spiritual Memoir of Life, Death and Rebirth and The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale for our Time. She is currently working on a book entitled Rukmini & the Turning of Time: The Birth of an Era expected release in 2021. Find out more about Dena Merriam at http://www.gpiw.org/

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.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Yonatan Neril may be a minority voice within the observant Jewish community, but he is a passionate and powerful one. Marshaling scores of Jewish sources - meticulously outlined in his book, Eco Bible - he argues for a new attitude towards sustainability and environmental consciousness from within the confines of Jewish tradition. Yonatan founded and directs both Jewish Eco Seminars and The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD). -------------------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know. The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org. Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com, follow us on Twitter @JewsUShouldKnow or on Facebook. Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at JewsYouShouldKnow@gmail.com. Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com/JewsYouShouldKnow. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!! A special thank you to Jacob Rupp of the Lift Your Legacy podcast for his invaluable production assistance.

New U.S. President Joe Biden has made climate change a priority and is setting the nation on a much more sustainability-focused path than his predecessor. Just days into his term, Biden had already has taken dozens of executive actions, including rejoining the Paris agreement on climate change and ordering a review of rules the Trump administration finalized in the last days of its term. In the latest episode of S&P Global podcast ESG Insider, we talk to experts about what the change of administration and the inherent regulatory uncertainty mean for sustainability-minded companies and investors. We hear from Josh Zinner, CEO of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility. ICCR, a global coalition of institutional investors, engages with corporations on a wide range of ESG issues. Zinner said climate-minded investors take the long view and ignored the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda in the expectation that the pendulum would eventually swing back in their favor, which it now has under Biden. We talk to Alex Bond, one of the regulatory leads at the Edison Electric Institute, a trade group for investor-owned electric utilities in the U.S. Bond said the sector has been focused on climate for years and that utilities, like investors, take a long-term view. And we interview former bank regulator John Geiringer, who said that the tone in the financial sector was already shifting to take climate risk more seriously, even before the administration change.   Photo source: Getty Images

A special Tu Bishvat-inspired episode for you dear listeners! This episode features Rabbi Lizzi in conversation with Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development in Jerusalem. In this conversation, Rabbi Lizzi and Rabbi Yonatan consider the spiritual imperative to protect our planet, fight for ecological sustainability, and continue the uphill battle against our climate crisis. Learn more about Rabbi Yonatan and the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Check out Rabbi Yonatan's book, Eco Bible: A New Environmental Reading of the Hebrew Bible Genesis and Exodus.Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and leave a review. As always, we want to hear from you. And to stay connected, follow Mishkan Chicago on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about us here!

In the midst of several episodes on religious approaches to sustainability I learned of today's guest, Rabbi Yonatan Neril's book The Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus.He founded and directs the international Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, including its Jewish Eco Seminars branch. He wrote the book to shine new light on how the Hebrew Bible and great religious thinkers have urged human care and stewardship of nature for thousands of years as a central message of spiritual wisdom.He has spoken internationally on religion and the environment, including at the UN Environment Assembly, the Fez Climate Conscience Summit, the Parliament of World Religions, and the Pontifical Urban University. He co-organized twelve interfaith environmental conferences in Jerusalem, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, and elsewhere.On a personal note, I saw the chance to learn about my family and upbringing. My father is the person I know most knowledgeable and practicing about Judaism. He is also among the people I know among the most resistant to reconsidering views on nature, pollution, and considering changing how he interacts with it. I was curious how his religion influences him.Yonatan presented another approach full of joy, community, connection, service, and faith. I can't say others all approach it like a chore or burden, like something we have to do but really don't want to, but I sure see that approach more. I like Yonatan's mood more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of 15 Minutes to Go we feature Rabbi Yonatan Neril, the founder and executive director of Interfaith Center of Sustainable Development. He has worked with religious leaders across all of the major religions and practices to create a kinder earth and greater understanding. He is also the co-author of a new biblical commentary Ecobible. We speak about what the bible teaches us about caring for nature, animals and our neighbors. How best to treat our possessions, how to connect the divine in the universe and how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Rabbi Neril gives us incredible insights on why the climate movement has not moved forward in the way many have hoped and what we can do to change that. More about Rabbi Neril: You can find more information about Rabbi Neril on https://www.interfaithsustain.com. Eco Bible: You can buy Eco Bible on Amazon and Kindle

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, interviews Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Executive Director of The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (https://www.interfaithsustain.com/), on the topic of "Eco Bible!" DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/36VGU7L For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member Valley Beit Midrash is proud to host the Jaburg Wilk Learning Season. Learn more about Jaburg Wilk at: http://www.jaburgwilk.com/

Musician Eva Jade Landon joins the show! Check out her stuff here: https://evajadelandon.hearnow.com/   Check out the Interfaith Center here: https://www.oxfordinterfaithcenter.org/   Intro music by Brian Luttrell of Girih Check them out here: https://girih.bandcamp.com/     Copyright 2018-2020 Ambition Radio LLC. All Rights Reserved

Welcome to Shaping The Future - In this episode, I am speaking to Rabbi Yonatan Neril in Jerusalem about his newly co-authored Eco-Bible, a book that reaches back through more than 2000 years of religious texts. At a time when religion in the US is being politicised and views are expressed about Gods will in consuming the Earth, Eco Bible uses 450 identified texts that clearly demonstrate the role religious teachings have had in promoting stewardship of the Earth. It has been my experience on numerous occasions of climate reporting that these underlying teachings exist across the multiple schools of faith that exist on the planet, from Christianity to Judaism, Islam and far far beyond. With 6 billion humans today identifying with some form of religion, what Yonatan has to say about our existence as spiritual beings in a physical world, carries a lot of weight. Thanks for listening to the Shaping The Future series. There are more podcasts being edited as we speak as we delve deeper into learning to live with and respond to the climate crisis. Please subscribe on any preferred channel to stay up to date. Eco Bible https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/173533880X/ shows how the Bible and its great scholars embrace care for God's creation as a fundamental and living message. It is co-authored by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, who founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), and Rabbi Leo Dee. who directed ICSD's faith and ecology programs, and graduated from Cambridge with a Masters in Engineering. Purchase EcoBible on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eco-Bible-Yonatan-Neril/dp/173533880X More about Cambridge Climate Lecture Series and Shaping The Future: https://climateseries.com/climate-change-podcast

In this episode of Stang Stories, Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer '87 discusses her time at Milton (0:56), Harvard (3:46), and The General Theological Seminary (9:01); experience in the aftermath of 9/11 (11:44); and work at The Interfaith Center of New York (15:39) - along with her perspective on aspects of religion and social justice (20:19). (Image source: The Interfaith Center of New York Facebook)

Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility The ICCR is a coalition of more than 300 institutional investors that represents 500 billion dollars.ICCR celebrates fifty years of success next year. Members of the coalition may chose to make investments in specific corporations in order to promote social justice, environmental issues, worker's rights, etc.

What does the Torah have in common with ecology? This week on IsraelCast, Steven Shalowitz sits down with Rabbi Yonatan Neril to discuss 18 essential Jewish lessons on the environment. Listen to Rabbi Neril examine the connection of the teachings of great rabbis and the practices of environmentalists today.

On this episode, Dena Merriam, Founder of the Global Peace Initiative for Women (GPIW), joins Laura Chandler for an engaging conversation on diverse topics such as climate crisis, the Me Too movement, past lives, and the significance of the sacred feminine in the world today. Dena is the author of two books, including her latest, The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale for Our Time, a retelling of the Ramayana texts of Classic Indian Literature from the perspective of the primary female character, Sita. The book delivers an important message for our times, offering a new understanding of feminine wisdom and the intelligence of the natural world. In addition to her work with the GPIW, Dena served as Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held at the United Nations in New York in the year 2000. She has been a devotee of the spiritual master Yogananda for over 40 years, and is a long time practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation. Dena received her master’s degree from Columbia University in sacred literature, and has served on the boards of many prestigious organizations, including the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions and the Interfaith Center of New York. For more information on Dena and the GPIW, visit gpiw.org. Our featured musical artist is Hindustani classical vocalist Jaya Vidyasagar. Jaya has studied with many accomplished teachers and is a beloved performer. She has appeared in several videos and musical collaborations. To learn more or to purchase her music, visit jayavidyasagar.com.

Sermon preached at RUF’s Wednesday Night Fellowship on Aug. 28, 2019. RUF is a campus ministry at the University of Vermont where every student is invited to encounter Jesus, explore the Christian faith, enjoy community, and experience empowering change. That is one of the reasons why we have a weekly gathering every Wednesday night, 6:30-8pm, at the Interfaith Center. This semester, we are going to be doing a sermon series in the Gospel of Luke. Luke is a book written by the likes of you for the likes of you. It is a story about God’s mission to save the world. And as we read and discuss it in community, we will discover a sure foundation for faith and life.

Episode 0154 | Aired 8/21/2019 Sophia Said was born and educated in Pakistan. At 20, she married Qayyim Said. The marriage was arranged by her parents. The first time she ever saw her groom was the night before their wedding. They moved to Utah in 1996 and she received her second Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Utah in 2007. Said, who had the highest GPA among economics majors, spoke at the University of Utah commencement. Later that year, the couple moved to Little Rock so Qayyim Said could teach health economics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After coming to Little Rock, Sophia attended and graduated from the Clinton School of Public Service and became an American citizen in 2012. In 2015, she was named Peacemaker of the Year by the Arkansas Coalition for Peace and Justice, and earlier this year, Said was presented with Just Communities of Arkansas’ Humanitarian Award. Currently she is the Program Director at the Interfaith Center located at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 233, originally published in February 2016. Harpreet Singh is Co-founder and Co-CEO of ExperFy, as well as a Fellow at Harvard Innovation Lab. He is responsible for Experfy's strategy and operations. He is an entrepreneur with experience leading cross-functional teams in global execution of product development, business strategy, operations, and technology functions. With exceptional emphasis on structured governance, he managed the program management initiatives for sixty technology startups from Citigroup's e-Citi Venture Portfolio Office. In a later role as Director of Technology, also at Citigroup, he architected the infrastructure of global multi-tiered, web-based electronic exchanges. Harpreet subsequently established the Project Management Office (PMO) for FX Alliance, a global foreign exchange platform, where he was responsible for enabling project and risk management functions for New York, London and Tokyo locations. Harpreet earned Master's and PhD degrees from Harvard University, where he currently serves as a faculty member. In 2001, Harpreet co-founded the Sikh Coalition—a civil rights group—in the wake of hate crimes against Sikh-Americans after the September 11 attacks. In 2003, along with Desmond Tutu, Harpreet was honored with the James Parks Morton Interfaith Tribute by the Interfaith Center of New York for his work to help heal local communities on the grassroots level. Key Takeaways: [1:26] Dr. Singh breaks down the 3 characteristics of big data: volume, variety and velocity [4:11] How big data is being used in a way that small businesses can actually use [7:15] How big data has been used in conferences to aid in seating people, at a price that businesses can actually afford [9:21] How Experfy has been able to recruit and retain some of the big names in the data scientist world [10:15] Using big data can help your company automate things previously done manually, drive down your prices and help you expand [14:34] The future of big data and analytics [16:00] Describing the Harvard Innovation Lab Websites Mentioned: www.experfy.com

Welcome back to another episode of Taste Test Live, the tasty podcast For our forty-fifth episode, podcast hosts Damien Lamar & Blue Franswa chat with Art Life Studios founder, KD Sadler. Listen above and subscribe now to stay updated on all things tasty! In the recent past, World Arts Film Festival was held inside Main Library of Jacksonville. Students were having hands-on workshops regarding the film industry. Most of the students had learning disabilities. During the evening films from all over the world were played. Experiencing the world through our senses. KD worked with the Florida School of the Deaf and Blind, experienced a photo that was taken by a blind student and stated that she could hear the photo. KD found her drive to do her work because loves the artist inside of everyone. The evolution of the arts community, as she sees children evolve she sees the arts evolve. It’s about the inner spirit of creativity. Art Life Studios, focus is to create a space for the community. KD wanted to focus on the busy teachers, staff, volunteers etc. She wanted to focus on arts and involving the arts in school programming. About KD Sadler As an independent film professional in New York City for over 20 years, Karen Douglass Sadler produced hundreds of music videos with industry celebrities and worked in broadcast television commercials for Fortune 500 clients. KD Sadler also holds an MA in Cinema Studies from the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, NY and also holds a Visual Arts degree from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida, her work focused on providing world-class multicultural arts programs for schools and communities with countless events, workshops and festivals through her organization Art Life Studios. Sadler continues to serve as a community volunteer and has produced four years of inclusive filmmaking camps with Hollywood film director Joey Travolta for children with autism.  Karen also started World Arts Film Festival which is the signature program of 501(c)3 nonprofit World Arts Education, an organization that supports diverse and inclusive arts and educational programs. Sadler has also worked in collaboration with the Office of the President, College of Education, Department of Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreter Education, Student Union, Interfaith Center, and Center for Intercultural Peace at the University of North Florida. Her work has received program funding from community sponsors including the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, HEAL Foundation, MDI Holdings, PGA Tour, THE PLAYERS Championship, The Community Foundation, Women’s Giving Alliance, Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Club, CityKids Art Factory, YMCA, Police Athletic League, Duval County Public Schools, Exceptional Education Student Services, Episcopal High School, The Bolles School, City of Atlantic Beach, City of Jacksonville Beach, City of Jacksonville, and many more.   Links: --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tastetestlive/message

The Adams County primary is on Tuesday May 21st. The ballots have been prepared. You can see yours here. Jake Schindel is running as a Democrat for an at-large Gettysburg Borough Council seat. I had a chance to talk with him about his candidacy. Schindel is the owner of the Ragged Edge Coffee shop and has been a representative of Ward 2 for two terms. He has also served on the boards of the Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice, the Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association, Destination Gettysburg, and Project Gettysburg Leon. He's also a current member of the Gettysurg Area Recreational Authority Board of Directors. Schindel says he has a track record of votes promoting an overall better holistic vision of Gettysburg. You can listen to the interview here: Your browser does not support the audio element. Contact Schindel: jacobschindel@mac.com

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.

| Ep. 122 | 1 - 11 - 19 The Rev. Susan Sims Smith is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Center. Smith was a Jungian oriented psychotherapist for 25 years, and has been an Episcopal priest since 1999. She founded Seedwork, a project to teach people how to listen to wisdom from their dreams and from meditation. She spearheaded the foundation of the Arkansas House of Prayer, an interfaith center for prayer and meditation, and serves as a life-time board member. She started the Interfaith Center in 2011. Learn more at https://www.flagandbanner.com/radio-show/susan-sims-smith-122.asp

The Interfaith Center of New York is nationally recognized innovator in sparking collaboration among faith leaders. Their mission is to tackle and overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding. To understand the challenges that face an organization with this kind of mandate, especially in these politically charged days, Dr. Baker sat with Reverend Breyer to talk with us on how the landscape is changing for her work.   

The podcast resumes regular schedule a day late because the host is currently dying from a sinus infection. Alex and Faye discuss the hurricane relief efforts briefly, then get into the shocking news that an ancap did something awful. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility successfully passes a resolution with Smith and Wesson's holding company to push for more gun safety, somehow. Trump talks big at the UN and gets laughed at for it, but it's okay because we'll all forget about it with the never-ending saga on Kavanaugh and now Rosenstein. California tries to fix the bail system and misses the mark, while Jerry Brown tells us not to go too far left unless we want someone even worse than Trump. The Jacobin mistreats its workers, the Apple Watch is cool but could put you in legal trouble, and millennial kill something else yet again: divorce. Finally, the rich seek to survive the apocalypse, but don't seem to have thought it through very well. The SRA can be contacted @SocialistRA or socialistra.org, and the host can be contacted @HumvaDev or u/AlexHumva. Faye can be contacted @la_socialistra. The podcast is now supported by listeners like you on Patreon. Benefits include assisting the rise of leftism in America, buying the host food, and special bonus content. https://socialistra.org/news/sra-hurricane-florence-relief https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/25/smith--wesson-loses-fight-with-nuns-on-gun-safety-proposal.html https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nikki-haley-donald-trump-united-nations_us_5bab7019e4b0f143d10ee8f4 https://www.npr.org/2018/08/28/642795284/california-becomes-first-state-to-end-cash-bail https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/25/us/politics/on-politics-jerry-brown-democrats.html http://paydayreport.com/jacobin-publisher-accused-of-reneging-on-wage-deal-in-takeover-of-british-magazine-the-tribune/amp/?__twitter_impression=true https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/09/how-the-new-apple-watch-will-call-911-after-a-fall-if-you-want-it-to/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/09/26/millennials-blame-lower-us-divorce-rate-study/1429494002/ https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-for-the-super-rich

Aired Wednesday, 11 July 2018, 8:00 PM ETDena Merriam – My Journey Through TimeAstrophysicist, author and host of Cosmos, and skeptic Carl Sagan once asked the Dali Lama what he would do if reincarnation was disproved by science. The Dali Lama, with his great wisdom and equally great sense of humor responded, “If science can disprove reincarnation, Tibetan Buddhism would abandon reincarnation… but it’s going to be mighty hard to disprove reincarnation.” What if we do come back, lifetime after lifetime? Would we learn from each existence and bring that wisdom back with us? Would it make us more loving, compassionate and better stewards of this world that we have been entrusted with?My guest this week on Destination Unlimited, Dena Merriam, experienced events in her life that awakened memories of previous lifetimes. Dena Merriam is a managing partner and vice-chairman at Finn Partners. Her areas of responsibility include Finn’s work in cultural marketing, creative services, corporate responsibility and in work for religious and non-profit organizations. In the area of creative services, she oversees the publishing, editorial, design, visual technology and new media divisions of Finn. She also manages their Arts and Communications Counselors Division, which develops cultural programs for corporations and governments and provides strategic counsel to museums, foundations and other cultural institutions. In support of the objectives and goals of the United Nations, Dena serves with the Interfaith Center of New York City in the creation of the Millennium Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Their objective is to engage religious leaders from around the world to work as a resource to the UN in its efforts to resolve conflict throughout the world. She also provides counsel to the State of the World Forum in its attempt to gather world thought leaders to address international problems.Dena began working in the interfaith movement in the late 1990s, when she served as vice-chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, held at the United Nations in New York. She subsequently convened a meeting of women religious and spiritual leaders at the in Geneva, and from that gathering founded the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW: www.www.gpiw.org) in 2002, an organization chaired by a multi-faith group of women spiritual leaders. The mission of this organization is to enable women to facilitate healing and reconciliation in areas of conflict and post-conflict, and to bring spiritual resources to help address critical global problems. In 2014 she received the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts.She joins me this week to discuss her book, My Journey Through Time – A Spiritual Memoir of Life, Death and Rebirth.

  "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.

Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks with Steven King - from Church of the Good Shepherd about a special needs prom called "A Night to Shine." on February 9th. For information about this event go to http://tcgsch.org/index.html or for other "A Night to Shine" proms across the country go to https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shineThe National Constitution Center recently held a event - "Unifying our Communities: Responding to Hate" co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) and the Department of Justice to address the state of intolerance. Loraine spoke with one of the speakers, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro about ways communities, the criminal justice system and civic organization can work together to address bigotry.Finally Loraine had a lively conversation with Patrisse Khan-Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matters and author of When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir.

Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks with Steven King - from Church of the Good Shepherd about a special needs prom called "A Night to Shine." on February 9th. For information about this event go to http://tcgsch.org/index.html or for other "A Night to Shine" proms across the country go to https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shineThe National Constitution Center recently held a event - "Unifying our Communities: Responding to Hate" co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) and the Department of Justice to address the state of intolerance. Loraine spoke with one of the speakers, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro about ways communities, the criminal justice system and civic organization can work together to address bigotry.Finally Loraine had a lively conversation with Patrisse Khan-Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matters and author of When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir.

The National Constitution Center recently held a event - "Unifying our Communities: Responding to Hate" co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) and the Department of Justice to address the state of intolerance. Loraine Ballard Morrill talked with one of the speakers, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro about ways communities, the criminal justice system and civic organization can work together to address bigotry.

Sermon preached at RUF's Wednesday Night Fellowship on Jan. 24, 2018. A Christian is someone who has put his/her faith in the person and saving works of the Triune God. God is one divine community consisting of three divine persons—Father, Son, and Spirit—and we are creatures made in His image. In this sermon, we flush out what this means for God and us.Come and join us every Wednesday night, 6:30-8pm, at the Interfaith Center (next to Athletic campus H2O tower) for a time of fellowship and student-led worship. All are welcome!

Interfaith Work in New York, with The Rev. Dr. Chloe Bryer Hey, Lovers – This is Russ and I want to welcome you to Love in a Dangerous Time, where we look at The Church, and the profound changes it’s going through in these Dangerous Times. We’ve got a great program today, but first I […]

A discussion with Rabbi Ron Kronish on his new book, The Other Peace Process: Interreligious Dialogue, A View from Jerusalem.Drawing on personal experiences from his 25-year career as founding director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel, Rabbi Ron Kronish describes the theory and practice of interreligious dialogue, education, and action in Israel and Palestine in the context of the political peace process. The Rev. Chloe Breyer and Iman Boukadoum of the Interfaith Center of New York join in brief responses to the author.

My latest guest is Daisy Khan, Executive Director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening an expression of Islam based on cultural and religious harmony, as well as building bridges between Muslims and the general public. At ASMA, Daisy Khan has created a number of groundbreaking intra- and inter-faith programs. She has led numerous interfaith events, such as the theater production, Same Difference, and the Cordoba Bread Fest Banquet. She continues to mentor American Muslims on assimilation issues, balancing faith and modernity, the challenges of living as a minority, and intergenerational questions. To strengthen the voices of women and youth within the global Muslim community, she created two cutting-edge programs of international scope: Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow (MLT) and the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE). Khan regularly lectures in the United States and internationally. She has appeared on numerous media outlets, such as CNN, Al Jazeera, and BBC World’s Doha Debates. She often serves as an adviser and contributor to a variety of documentaries, including PBS’s Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, National Geographic’s Inside Mecca, and the Hallmark Channel’s Listening to Islam. Khan is a weekly contributor to the Washington Post’s “On Faith” blog and is frequently quoted in print publications, such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Saudi Gazette, and the Khaleej Times. Born in Kashmir, she spent twenty-five years as an interior architect for various Fortune 500 companies. In 2005, she dedicated herself to full-time community service and building movements for positive change, both in the United States and around the globe. In recognition of this important work, Khan is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Interfaith Center’s Award for Promoting Peace and Interfaith Understanding, Auburn Seminary’s Lives of Commitment Award, and the Annual Faith Leaders Award. She was also selected by Women’s eNews as one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century.

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 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!

“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!  

Sister Nora Nash (ICCR) joins the PRI's Olivia Mooney to discuss the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)'s engagement and shareholder resolution activities in relation to the banking sector.

On the March 8, 2016 Boomer Generation Radio show, Rabbi Address welcomes Rabbi Mordechai E. Liebling, director of the newly created Social Justice Organizing Program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). In the second half of the program, the guest is Michael Lyons, professional actor and motivational speaker. About the Guests Rabbi Mordechai E. Liebling Rabbi Mordechai E. Liebling Rabbi Mordechai Liebling has worked throughout his career toward tikkun olam, repair of the world. He is the first to direct RRC's unique Social Justice Organizing Program; he leads the College's initiative to invest rabbinical students with the clarity of purpose, vision and voice to become uniquely effective, spiritually strong leaders in the drive toward social justice and environmental sustainability.   Through his own experience, Liebling came to realize that spiritual leaders hold unique power to demonstrate and inspire ethical choices, and to lead a pursuit of justice fueled by caring rather than rage. Most recently he served as the executive vice president of Jewish Funds for Justice; prior to that organization's merger with The Shefa Fund, he held the title Torah of Money Director at TSF, providing guidance to help people apply Jewish laws and values to how they spend, invest and donate. For 12 years he was the executive director of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, and he later served there as senior consultant. Before entering the rabbinical program at RRC, he worked as a community organizer.   Liebling was a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations for 12 years. He has served on the boards of various national and international non-profit organizations; currently he serves on the boards of the Faith and Politics Institute and Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. Liebling also is the president emeritus of the Shalom Center.   He has received awards from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility and Mazon. Liebling also has spoken out for justice for people with disabilities, and his family was the subject of the award-winning documentary film Praying With Lior.   He holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from Cornell University and Master of Arts in the history of American civilization, specializing in American progressive movements, from Brandeis University. Liebling is a 1985 graduate of RRC.   He has published articles in many publications, including Tikkun, Israel Horizons, Jewish Currents and The Reconstructionist.   Michael Lyons Michael Lyons   Actor, speaker, writer, entrepreneur, hospitality industry executive... Mike Lyons has led a very interesting and diverse life. Mike's eclectic background began as a child while living in Paris, France. He appeared in commercials and the film "Paris When It Sizzles" with Tony Curtis, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, and also did dubbing for French and English movies using his bi-lingual ability.  Upon his return to the U.S. in the mid-Sixties, he performed in the theater in a variety of roles while also working on the stage crew of the Valley Forge Music Fair - a professional theater located outside Philadelphia, rubbing shoulders with entertainment legends such as Gordon MacRae, Carol Lawrence, and Chita Rivera. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he went to work in the business world, bypassing the opportunity to pursue a vocation in the entertainment industry. Fifteen years later while working in New York City, he resurrected his dormant acting career and landed a national TV commercial for "Honey Bunches of Oats" cereal. From there he joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and began to book commercials, TV roles and other jobs on a regular basis including "All My Children" and an Advil commercial that ran on national television for 4 years. All the while, he kept his "day job" as a well-respected expert in the travel/meetings industry. Over the years, he has worked in New York city, Norwalk, CT, Philadelphia, Columbus, OH, and Minneapolis; and his travels have taken him to 32 foreign countries, 43 U.S. states and 76 of the top 100 U.S. cities. As an actor, he has dozens of credits in films, TV shows, commercials and more than 350 live appearances on home shopping network QVC as a product host. His roles have included speaking parts in “The Sixth Sense”, “All My Children, “Veep”, “What Would You Do”,  “Arrest & Trial”, and "Outsiders", among others. He can also be seen in the popular Netflix series “House of Cards” playing the Speaker of the House in Season 4, Episode 2.  Mike also enjoys performing as a singer and has produced a CD of his own renditions of classic Frank Sinatra songs.As a professional motivational speaker, he has given talks to numerous groups over the past few years on how to achieve goals, pursue your passion, and enhance your personal brand. He has authored a number of articles in both travel industry trade journals as well as consumer magazines, and is frequently sought out by the media as one of the experts in the meetings & events industry.A resident of suburban Philadelphia, he has been married to his lovely wife Lorie for 42 years. They are the parents of Mike Jr. (Krista), Erin Oosthuizen (Simon) and Aimee, and proud grandparents of seven beautiful children: Ella, Caitlin, Jesse, Ansley, Joshua, Avery and Logan. Boomer Generation Radio is sponsored in part by Kendal Corporation, a Quaker-based provider of continuing care retirement communities in the Northeast and Midwest, airs on WWDB-AM 860 every Tuesday at 10 a.m., and features news and conversation aimed at Baby Boomers and the issues facing them as members of what Rabbi Address calls “the club sandwich generation.” You can hear the show live on AM 860, or streamed live from the WWDB website. Subscribe to the RSS feed for Boomer Generation Radio podcasts.   Subscribe to the RSS feed for all Jewish Sacred Aging podcasts.   Subscribe to these podcasts in the Apple iTunes Music Store.

Harpreet Singh is Co-founder and Co-CEO of ExpertFi, as well as a Fellow at Harvard Innovation Lab. He is responsible for Experfy's strategy and operations. He is an entrepreneur with experience leading cross-functional teams in global execution of product development, business strategy, operations, and technology functions. With exceptional emphasis on structured governance, he managed the program management initiatives for sixty technology startups from Citigroup's e-Citi Venture Portfolio Office. In a later role as Director of Technology, also at Citigroup, he architected the infrastructure of global multi-tiered, web-based electronic exchanges. Harpreet subsequently established the Project Management Office (PMO) for FX Alliance, a global foreign exchange platform, where he was responsible for enabling project and risk management functions for New York, London and Tokyo locations. Harpreet earned Master's and PhD degrees from Harvard University, where he currently serves as a faculty member. In 2001, Harpreet co-founded the Sikh Coalition—a civil rights group—in the wake of hate crimes against Sikh-Americans after the September 11 attacks. In 2003, along with Desmond Tutu, Harpreet was honored with the James Parks Morton Interfaith Tribute by the Interfaith Center of New York for his work to help heal local communities on the grassroots level. Key Takeaways: [1:26] Dr. Singh breaks down the 3 characteristics of big data: volume, variety and velocity [4:11] How big data is being used in a way that small businesses can actually use [7:15] How big data has been used in conferences to aid in seating people, at a price that businesses can actually afford [9:21] How Experfy has been able to recruit and retain some of the big names in the data scientist world [10:15] Using big data can help your company automate things previously done manually, drive down your prices and help you expand [14:34] The future of big data and analytics [16:00] Describing the Harvard Innovation Lab

Paul is publisher and editor of The Interfaith Observer (TIO), a monthly internet magazine promoting healthy interfaith culture. Prior to that he was the founding executive director of the Interfaith Center at the Presidio; sat on United Religions Initiative's original Board of Directors; was a trustee of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) and served as a Parliament Ambassador for the Parliament of the World's Religions. His publications include Accountable Leadership and Remembered Light. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ. We spoke about the interfaith movement and all he's learned in the course of his long career.

Rabbi Laurie Coskey led an invigorating discussion on the fight for $15 and how the Point Loma Democratic Club can participate in passing the minimum wage ordinance and get more involved in exciting campaigns for economic sustainability. For more details of the meeting read our summary here. We have not edited the questions from club members and guests for audibility so please bear that in mind while listening . We encourage you to subscribe to our Podcast channel here. You can also find us on the iTunes Store just search for Point Loma & OB Dems or click here, as well as on Stitcher. Recordings used during the discussion do not contain explicit language. Music used by kind permission of the Oily Buoys. What are Podcasts? Our podcasts are edited recordings of our meetings made freely available on the Internet. They’ll usually be audio but we may make video recordings available as well. One-third of all Americans (12 years of age or older) have listened to a podcast according to Pew Research on Podcasts. Our podcasts are a great way to share information from our guest speakers for free …

On Episode 28 of Climate Stew we meet Rachel Winner, a resident of Jerusalem and a project manager at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. She...Read More

Janice Hope Gorman is a Spiritual Teacher, Mentor, and Clairvoyant. She was born and raised in Mankato, MN. Happily married for 29 years to Dr. Paul Gorman they have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. "Hope" as many people call her was a natural clairvoyant during her childhood. Janice was given the name "Hope" from one of her early teachers which means "Help Open Planetary Eyes" she is the founder & Director of the Hope Interfaith Center in Mankato, MN, which is a Spiritual Center. She is an ordained Interfaith Minister, a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, but most of her work is being a Spiritual Teacher & a conduit to help people with Divine guidance. As a messenger of Divine wisdom, she has dedicated herself to addressing the profound spiritual awakening that is the hallmark of these times, that we are all ONE. Janice recently became a Certified Oneness Blesser of Deeksha' from the Oneness University of India. Her teachings are universal in nature and do not represent the beliefs of any one religion or spiritual practice or movement. She is an incurable world traveler and she has taken people on pilgrimages to Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Europe, Mexico and Belize. Rev. Janice Hope actively continues to document the teachings of ONENESS and has taught leadership classes along with self-powering groups to help people live their authentic lives. For more information visit: http://hopeinterfaithcenter.com/

Congregation Power Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder and Executive Director, Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, Jerusalem Reverend Sally Bingham, Founder, Interfaith Power and Light Reverend Ng, First Chinese Baptist Church, San Francisco “As a priest, if I’m going to start talking about what humans are doing to the planet...I need scientific backing. I need to be in close communication with the scientific community or I have no business making those remarks,” said Rev. Canon Sally Bingham. Leaders from many religious traditions are acting as stewards of creation by powering their congregations with clean energy and encouraging smart policies in their communities. Leaders of this movement contend that all major religions have a mandate to care for creation. “Being at the top of creation we have a particular responsibility to treat it with respect,” Rabbi Yonatan Neril says. Religious leaders come together at Climate One to discuss how their faith impacts their approach to climate change and what they are doing about it. “Solar panels and solar energy is achievable,” Rev. Don Ng told us. Listen in to hear how communities of faith around the world are getting involved to build a more sustainable future. This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco on December 12, 2012

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is the founder of the Cordoba Initiative, an independent, multi-faith and multi-national project that works with state and non-state actors to improve Muslim-West relations. Under his leadership, the Cordoba Initiative seeks to develop dialogue and solutions that address strategic areas of conflict impacting local and global security. In 1984, Rauf became Imam of Masjid al-Farah, a New York City mosque located 12 blocks from Ground Zero. In 1997, he founded the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), the first Muslim organization committed to bringing American Muslims and non-Muslims together through programs in academia, policy, current affairs, and culture. He is a Trustee of the Islamic Center of New York and a Vice Chair of the Interfaith Center of New York. Frequently asked to comment on issues pertaining to Islam and the West, Imam Feisal has spoken at the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Economic Forum (Davos), and is regularly quoted in national and international media such as CNN, BBC, The New York Times, Washington Post, Frontline and Foreign Policy. Born in Kuwait to Egyptian parents and educated in England, Egypt, and Malaysia, Imam Feisal holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Columbia University in New York and a Master of Science in Plasma Physics from Steven Institute of Technology in New Jersey. He speaks English, Arabic, and Malay. Published Work Moving the Mountain: Beyond Ground Zero to a New Vision of Islam in America (Free Press, 2012) "Justification & Theory of Sharia Law: How the American Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution are Consistent with Islamic Jurisprudence" University of St. Thomas Law (2010) "What is Islamic Law?" Mercer Law Review (2006) What's Right with Islam Is What's Right with America (HarperCollins, 2005) Islam: A Sacred Law (Threshold Books, 2000); Islam: A Search for Meaning (Mazda Publishers,1996) Awards Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution (AICPR) Annual Alliance Peace Builder Award Annual James Parks Morton Interfaith Center of New York Award Open Center of New York Interfaith Award Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2010 by Foreign Policy Magazine TIME Magazine 100 Most Influential People of the World in 2011 Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award (with Daisy Khan)