Podcasts about interfaith conference

Elder Ulysses Soares, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, got to give a speech at a recent G-20 gathering. He chose to speak about the concept of moral mangrove trees. For those who haven't seen a mangrove forest, these unique trees create vast root systems that are intertwined, and they all strengthen each other and help each other grow. It is a reminder to us all of the importance of community building and service when it comes to building a better world for all.

Sandi Guengerich is on to tell us about an Christian Women's Conference that will be Saturday (10/14/23)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rumi Forum, Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and Washington Theological Consortium presented the 4th Interfaith Leadership Forum: “Interfaith Engagement with the Environmental Crisis” on May 31, 2023. The program featured keynote speaker Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, an interfaith panel, and an opportunity for small group dialogues. Keynote by: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, D.Min. started at Adat Shalom when the synagogue was only eight years old, and meeting at the JCC – he was still in rabbinic school, Founding Rabbi Sid was part-time, Shabbat morning services were every other week, and cell phones hardly existed. Upon ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1997, he became its first full-time rabbi and has joyfully served here ever since. Rabbi Fred currently serves as Chair of the National Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and is on the boards of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment and Interfaith Power and Light (The Regeneration Project). Fred has also been deeply engaged in social and racial justice (including Jews United for Justice), multi-faith (a past board member of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington), and Israeli-progressive (J Street and more) efforts. Panelists: Sevim Kalyoncu: Growing up in Alabama surrounded by woods and creeks, Sevim Kalyoncu discovered early that her most direct connection with God came through nature. To this day, she still finds peace in natural surroundings and holds a deep concern regarding humankind's responsibility as vicegerent of the earth. She is involved with multiple local climate action groups and is dedicated to helping educate youth about the importance of environmental awareness for spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. She holds a B.S. from Georgetown and a master's degree from the University of Chicago and has many years of nonprofit experience in Washington, DC, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She is also a naturalist interpreter and a yoga instructor. Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig: Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig teaches methods for understanding ministry in context and applied theology rooted in the resilient grace of Christ. As Director of the Town and Country Church Institute (TCCI), Dr. Waldkoenig teaches courses in rural and Appalachian ministry and is sought out by synods, judicatories, and other seminaries for consultation and teaching. His research has included multiple-church ministries, environmental ministries, and a variety of other topics, all reflecting his practical theology of “means of grace and scenes of grace.” He belongs to St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. His books include Cooperating Congregations and Symbiotic Community, The Lost Land, and his reviews appeared in Agricultural History, Journal of Appalachian Studies, Journal for Study of Religion, Nature & Culture, Christian Century, and others. Dr. Rajwant Singh: Dr. Rajwant Singh is the founder and President of EcoSikh, a global organization working on the climate crisis facing the planet. It has engaged the worldwide Sikh community to take action on environmental issues. He also co-founded the National Sikh Campaign, an initiative to inform Americans about the Sikh identity. Dr. Rajwant Singh is also the Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), an organization that has worked with the White House and the members of the United States Congress. He organized a large gathering of the Sikhs to interact with political and elected leaders at Capitol Hill. He was instrumental in organizing the first-ever celebration of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary at the White House in 2009. Kristin Barker: Kristin Barker is co-founder and director of One Earth Sangha, whose mission is cultivating a Buddhist response to ecological crises. She graduated from Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leader program and now teaches with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. As a co-founder of White Awake, Kristin has been supporting white people since 2011 with a Dharma approach to uprooting racism in ourselves and in our world. With a background in software engineering and environmental management, she has worked at several international environmental organizations. She is a GreenFaith Fellow and serves on the advisory board of Project Inside Out. Kristin was born and raised in northern New Mexico and currently lives in Washington, DC, the traditional lands of the Piscataway people. The Interfaith Leadership Forum (ILF) presented its 4th program during Days of Unity, entitled “Interfaith Engagement with the Environmental Crisis”. Rumi Forum and its partners were glad to collaborate with the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) for the 4th ILF, which coincides with their 6th Annual Days of Unity during the month of May 2023.

This new book traces the lives of Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in Israel and Palestine who have dedicated their lives to building peaceful relations among the two peoples and between individual people who seek to live in peace and harmony with one another. These people have acted courageously and consistently in their work for peace. In this book, the author profiles the lives, thoughts, feelings, and actions of six important peacebuilders — men and women, secular and religious, 3 Jewish Israelis: Rabbi Michael Melchior, Professor Galia Golan, and Mrs. Hadassah Froman, and 3 Palestinian Arabs: Professor Mohammed Dajani, Ms. Huda Abuarquob, and Bishop Munib Younan. The reader learns about their visions for peace and their activities to bring their ideas to fruition in the real world of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Too many people have given up on peace. In contrast, the people in this book persevere for peace, thus keeping a flicker of hope alive for Israelis and Palestinians who live in the same land for people everywhere who continue to yearn for a peace agreement to be reached in the region.  Co-sponsored by: Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP) is a coalition of over 170 organizations—and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities. We add stability in times of crisis, foster cooperation that increases impact, and build an environment conducive to peace over the long term.  Author: Rabbi Dr. Ron Kronish is an independent scholar, writer, blogger, lecturer, teacher, and mentor. For several years, he has been a Library Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. From 1991-2015, he served as the Founder and Director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI), Israel's premier interreligious institution. He was educated at Brandeis University (BA), Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the editor of Coexistence and Reconciliation in Israel: Voices for Interreligious Dialogue (Paulist Press, 2015) and the author of The Other Peace Process: Interreligious Dialogue, A View from Jerusalem (Hamilton Books, 2017) and Profiles in Peace: Voices of Peacebuilders in the Midst of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2022). He writes a regular blog for The Times of Israel and contributes to The Jerusalem Report. He teaches courses about Interreligious Dialogue and Peacebuilding at the Schechter Institutes for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, in the Department for Adult Education, and at the Drew University Theological School (via Zoom) in Madison, NJ. Moderator: Rabbi Gerry Serotta served as Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington from 2014 through 2020, where he continued his work as a leading voice for interfaith cooperation, religious freedom, and human rights. He is the founding rabbi of Shirat HaNefesh from 2008 to 2014. Rabbi Serotta has served as Executive Director of the interreligious organization Clergy Beyond Borders, Associate Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, and Director of the Hillel Foundation at George Washington University. He was the founder and chair of Rabbis for Human Rights – North America and chaired the Board of Chaplains of George Washington University. Rabbi Serotta has received many awards for his communal work. He was named a Public Policy Conflict Resolution fellow by the University of Maryland School of Law and served as a senior rabbinic scholar in residence at the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Serotta received a master's degree in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College, a Master of Sacred Theology from New York Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College. Discussant: Ibrahim Anli is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He was a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 2007-08. Ibrahim joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation's (JWF) Ankara office as the diplomacy coordinator in 2010. In 2013, he became the secretary-general of Abant Platform, JWF's Istanbul-based forum of intellectuals. Ibrahim Anli was a lecturer and acting chair at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil in 2016-17. He is currently a volunteer instructor for the OLLI at George Mason University, a member of the Braver Angels Scholars Council, and a member of the Public Diplomacy Council of America. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University.

Recently, Elder Quentin L. Cook from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led the NYC interfaith commission on a tour of Church headquarters. Boyd looks at what he and members of the commission had to say about religious freedom and explains how that freedom allows faith-based organization to make a positive difference in the world. Plus, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Church of Jesus Christ met with religious leaders, including Pope Francis, in Kazakhstan. Boyd looks at what he had to say about how religion fills the world's need for human connection and religious tolerance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Henry joins Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, Verona Schools Security Director Corey Saffold, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee executive director Pardeep Kaleka, and Madison School Board member Ali Muldrow for a deep, authentic and insightful conversation about one of the most pressing issues of our time.

OK, if you skip this one you're forgiven. I'm still going through a big box of ancient shows, and the other day i came across this cassette. It is not an episode of Common Threads, but a recording of a conference we held on 11/6/1999. The problem is that this is a very, very BAD recording. I think someone just set up a tape recorder in the back of the room and hoped for the best. Some portions are easier to hear than others, but the big disappointment is that the keynote address by Brother Wayne Teasdale is perhaps the worst sounding of all the speakers. You might want to try to listen, but I suspect many will give up, and I don't blame them. Believe me, I almost just tossed this one. But it is a piece of IDA history. And the good news is that for some reason, Wayne's fidelity improves during Q&A. For those who are not familiar with Br. Wayne Teasdale, he became quite an iconic figure in the interfaith arena during the 80s, 90s and early 00s. He died much too young in 2004. During this time he was a great friend of IDA. So if no one listens that's OK. This will stand as "silent" tribute.

The Milwaukee Arts, Culture, Creative Industry Summit today is sold out! If you can't join us today at the St. Kate, we've put together a compilation of 32 Arts and Culture Czar segments from the three seasons of our podcast. At our Summit, we will be asking the 200-plus folks to tell us their Arts and Culture Czar proclamations. You can play along at #ImagineSummit. Jim Neuner, Sunstone Studios, 5:20: Collaborate and use under-utilized resources like schools Megan McGee , Ex Fabula, 8:30: Fund and value local arts and artists Rosy Petri, Artist, Co-Chair Public Policy Work Group, 10:09: Make beauty and public art accessible Michael Hostad, Light the Hoan, 11:08: Create a culture where creative people can make cool things Ian Abston, Light the Hoan, 13:30: Take the opportunity to “finish” and build Milwaukee Kristina Gomez, Milwaukee Public Library, 15:00: Incorporating food access into cultural production LaShawndra Vernon, Artists Working in Education, 16:19: Tax hospitality for neighborhood arts development Wes Tank, Tank Think, 17:20: Share, collaborate, and make dope things Pat Buckley, Buckley & the Russian General, 19:16: Flood the zone with funding for creatives Ray Nitti, Sharp Creatives, 21:26: Talent Retention and invest in neighborhoods Que El-Amin, Young Enterprising Society, 23:32: Tax Credits for creative industries Mikal Wesley, Urbane Communities, 24:24:00: Tax Incentives in local talent Bobby Drake, Independent Artist, 24:52:00: State funding coming through a creative council Anne Basting, TimeSlips, 25:55:00: Social Rx & Artist in Residence in City & County Eric Tillich, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 27:54:00: Increase state and local funding Malkia Stampley, Actor/Director, 28:44:00: Transition existing leadership Kurt Ravenswood, Producer, 31:00:00: Film fund; get out of the way Pardeep Kaleeka, Interfaith Conference, 31:33:00: Make more access to art May Adrales, Milwaukee Rep, 32:10:00: Make Theater free & free coffee Arvind Gopalratnam, Milwaukee Bucks, 33:36:00: Bring back the holiday folk fest Kendra Ingram, The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 34:55:00: Arts and culture tax district Briana Baurichter, Artist, 37:08:00: Integrate arts into education Beth Weirick, Downtown BID #21, 38:34:00: Make kids travel and bring back culture Jeffery McAllister, Fashion Sense, 39:44:00: Emerging neighborhood arts council Wendell Willis, MPS Foundation, 40:57:00: New buildings/development must have an arts and design aspect Dan Schafer, Journalist, 43:43:00: Equitable funding for BIPOC artists Sarah Smith Pancheri, Summerfest, 44:40:00: Abundant arts education Bob Babisch, Summerfest, 45:21:00: Ensure small arts eco system Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Poet Laureate, 45:57:00: Mandate arts experiences Greg Bach, The Laughing Tap, 49:04:00: All arts respected; mandatory attendance Kaitlin McCarthy, The Laughing Tap, 49:50:00: Arts funding in schools; reduce stigma in participation Matt Kemple, The Laughing Tap, 51:36:00: More arts funding Support this podcast

Rabbi Andrew Baker is the director of international Jewish affairs for the American Jewish Committee. In this position he engages with Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora and with their concerns. Rabbi Baker is also the personal representative of the chair-in-office on combating antisemitism of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In these roles, Rabbi Baker has been a prominent figure in international efforts to combat antisemitism and in addressing Holocaust-era issues in Europe. In the United States, among other things, he served as president of the Washington Board of Rabbis and as president of the Interfaith Conference of Washington.

The trauma clinician, co-author of “The Gift of Our Wounds,” Executive Director of Interfaith Conference, speaker and global peacemaker Pardeep Kaleka is the embodiment of infinite fortitude and wisdom. The horrendous mass shooting of August 5, 2012 by a white supremacist snuffed the life of Pardeep's own father at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, US. His unconventional response to this vile attack was rooted in his faith and willpower to heal as an individual and a community. Check out Pardeep and Arno's shared website: https://www.giftofourwounds.com/ Follow Pardeep on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PardeepKaleka and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pardeepsinghkaleka/ FOLLOW PARALYSIS TO PURPOSE Twitter: https://twitter.com/Paral2Purpose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paralysis2purpose/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paralysis2purpose TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paralysis2purpose Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/hzE5n9 FOLLOW OUR HOST, DAVID COOKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcespeaks Instagram: https://instagram.com/dcespeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcespeaks/ Website: https://davidcooksspeaks.com/ Listen in for stories of growth, change, and discovery by both individuals and corporations on their journeys from Paralysis to Purpose. http://paralysis2purpose.com/

I focused on kindness and interfaith understanding, not on white supremacists, after my father, William L Corporon MD and oldest son, Reat Underwood, were murdered on April 13, 2014, by a self-proclaimed neo-nazi. When prompted to click a link, engage in a live conversation, or watch any type of documentary pertaining to the hateful ideology that led to the murders of my beloved, I would physically remove myself from the situation. Already shattered, I had no intention of potentially harming myself further by giving time to this hateful rhetoric.My path of choice led me to meet Jon Willis, founder of Kansas City Interfaith Youth Alliance. We formed a partnership in hiring Clare Stern to oversee youth engagement and leadership in the areas of interfaith dialogue. Ms. Stern introduced me to the Parliament of the World Religions. In 2018, I found myself walking the halls of the Metro Toronto Convention Center as one of 8300 humans desiring to fulfill the theme of the seventh world-wide interfaith conference…”The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love”.I was stunned to find Pardeep Singh Kaleka, a kindred shattered soul, in conversation with a former white supremacist, Arno Michaelis. Unfortunately, Pardeep and I share the pain of losing our family members to violence ignited and fueled by hate. As the author of, The Gift of our Wounds, Pardeep found opportunities for post traumatic growth and healing after the murders of his own father and friends at the Sikh Temple in Oakcreek, Wisconsin on August 5, 2012.Taking on the role of family and temple communicator only hours after a gunman took the lives of six on location and a seventh, who died in 2020 from his wounds, Pardeep found that sharing the stories and lives of his father and friends was a natural path for him.As a former law enforcement officer and educator, Pardeep wanted to control the narrative providing empowerment to his Sikh community. By directing attention to what they COULD do after the murders rather than focusing on them being victims of hate he asked himself and others to redefine forgiveness. Relying on the three tenets of Sikhism 1. meditation upon and devotion to the Creator, 2. truthful living, and 3. service to humanity, Pardeep was instrumental in founding Serve 2 Unite.Currently, a trauma clinician and the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Pardeep shares with me in episode 36, “Making His Child a Priority, Saved Their Lives”, his own desire for humans to heart-speak; speaking from one heart to another. He continues to place a high priority on allowing mental health and faith health to walk hand in hand.Isn't this what scriptures from the Bible, Torah, Quran, and the Adi Granth tell us? Each of these religious sources also provide an avenue for forgiveness.Try it.•Find Mindy on Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindyCorporonLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindycorporon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindyCorporonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindycorporon/•This channel is made possible because of listeners just like you. If you would like to support the channel with your tax-deductible contribution on an ongoing basis or through a one-time gift, head over to ExperienceOfTheSoul.com/support.Real Grief - Real Healing is copyright 2021, Mindy Corporon. All Rights Reserved. Our theme music is composed by Dave Kropf and used with permission.The Experience of the Soul Podcast Channel is a production of 818 Studios.

Our guest this week is Pardeep Singh Kaleka. Kaleka is executive director of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, founder of Serve2Unite, a published author of “The Gifts of Our Wounds” and a clinician specializing in utilizing a trauma-informed approach to treat survivors and perpetrators of assault, abuse and acts of violence. A native of Punjab, India, Pardeep Singh Kaleka grew up in Milwaukee, WI. As a former police officer and educator in the city of Milwaukee, Pardeep understands the difficulty facing our communities locally and abroad. Both in his practice and out, Pardeep’s passion remains one of healing and transformation.  In the intro, David’s back with another dogecoin update. Then, we talk about the possibility for the arts and culture sector as the City and County begins to make decisions around American Rescue Plan Act money.   At 13:25, Pardeep joins. We start off talking about seeing the value in each of our neighbors, and appreciating the artistry in each person (14:55); how do we get people to lean into who they are (18:40); what helped him to have the courage to forge his own career path (24:45); how to show and respond to callings from the universe? (29:35); how to we stay connected to each other in this new future? (36:47); how do we hold on to green shoots of humanity? (42:00); forgiveness and freedom (44:50); creating vulnerable sacred spaces (50:48); love for self and love for others, and navigating political divides with friends and family (57:00); Pardeep’s turn as Czar of Arts and Culture (1:01:55).  Follow Pardeep Kaleka @PardeepKaleka on Twitter and @PardeepSinghKaleka on Facebook   Web: http://www.the/ (www.TheGiftofOurWounds.com)  Music Transitions: “Milwaukee Strong,” by Shonn Hinton featuring the Milwaukee All-Stars  E2 Ephemera  https://imaginemke.org/be-an-arts-champion/action-center.php (Write the Mayor and Common Council about ARPA)  https://www.milwaukeemag.com/2021-unity-awards-honoree-pardeep-singh-kaleka/ (2021 Unity Awards: Pardeep Singh Kaleka – Milwaukee Magazine)   http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/featured/pardeep-kaleka-proud-pioneer-following-spirit-leadership-carrol-university/?fbclid=IwAR3V6MFBxIO0ymYyP17dAZ_sOUjxQ-FRzDmu0lkNwM5sCpnIKjr7I8HrgZ0 (Pardeep Kaleka’s Carroll University Commencement Address)  https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/07/parents-emotional-trauma-may-change-their-children-s-biology-studies-mice-show-how (Passing Down Trauma through Epigenetics)  Support this podcast

Our guest this week is Pardeep Singh Kaleka. Kaleka is executive director of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, founder of Serve2Unite, a published author of “The Gifts of Our Wounds” and a clinician specializing in utilizing a trauma-informed approach to treat survivors and perpetrators of assault, abuse and acts of violence. A native of Punjab, India, Pardeep Singh Kaleka grew up in Milwaukee, WI. As a former police officer and educator in the city of Milwaukee, Pardeep understands the difficulty facing our communities locally and abroad. Both in his practice and out, Pardeep's passion remains one of healing and transformation.  In the intro, David's back with another dogecoin update. Then, we talk about the possibility for the arts and culture sector as the City and County begins to make decisions around American Rescue Plan Act money.   At 13:25, Pardeep joins. We start off talking about seeing the value in each of our neighbors, and appreciating the artistry in each person (14:55); how do we get people to lean into who they are (18:40); what helped him to have the courage to forge his own career path (24:45); how to show and respond to callings from the universe? (29:35); how to we stay connected to each other in this new future? (36:47); how do we hold on to green shoots of humanity? (42:00); forgiveness and freedom (44:50); creating vulnerable sacred spaces (50:48); love for self and love for others, and navigating political divides with friends and family (57:00); Pardeep's turn as Czar of Arts and Culture (1:01:55).  Follow Pardeep Kaleka @PardeepKaleka on Twitter and @PardeepSinghKaleka on Facebook   Web: http://www.the/ (www.TheGiftofOurWounds.com)  Music Transitions: “Milwaukee Strong,” by Shonn Hinton featuring the Milwaukee All-Stars  E2 Ephemera  https://imaginemke.org/be-an-arts-champion/action-center.php (Write the Mayor and Common Council about ARPA)  https://www.milwaukeemag.com/2021-unity-awards-honoree-pardeep-singh-kaleka/ (2021 Unity Awards: Pardeep Singh Kaleka – Milwaukee Magazine)   http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/featured/pardeep-kaleka-proud-pioneer-following-spirit-leadership-carrol-university/?fbclid=IwAR3V6MFBxIO0ymYyP17dAZ_sOUjxQ-FRzDmu0lkNwM5sCpnIKjr7I8HrgZ0 (Pardeep Kaleka's Carroll University Commencement Address)  https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/07/parents-emotional-trauma-may-change-their-children-s-biology-studies-mice-show-how (Passing Down Trauma through Epigenetics)  Support this podcast

Jacqueline F. Fuller is a communications professional who has worked for various nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC. She is a member of numerous professional and community organizations including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., National Association of Black Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists and Religion Communicators Council and serves as their national President. Jacqueline is a member at Unity of Fairfax church in Oakton, VA and volunteered in numerous ministries and served on their Board of Trustees. She also participates in the Next Generation Unity (NGU) ministry at Unity of Washington, DC. Due to her calling to do interfaith work, she identifies herself as Spiritually Independent.Jacqueline supports various interfaith organizations and participated as a speaker at symposiums focusing on religious tolerance and understanding. In addition, she is a freelance writer for the Washington Informer newspaper covering religion news in the African American community.In 2016, Jacqueline was acknowledged by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington as an emerging leader for her work in religion communications. Jacqueline is an aspiring entrepreneur who is in the process of building her media production company with a focus on interfaith relations. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an interest in Theology and World Religions from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.Don't miss this episode..."This Is The Year For Your New Book"

Thursday on Lake Effect : A former Milwaukee police officer shares his perspective on recent protests and police-community relations. Then, for our 5 Things To Do in Milwaukee segment we talk about the mass demonstrations transforming our city. Plus, our Bonus Bubbler Talk segment looks at how Black Wisconsinites are almost 7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than their white neighbors. Guests: Pardeep Singh Kaleka, executive director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee Adam Carr, deputy editor for community engagement, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Joseph Graves, associate dean for research and professor of biological studies at the Joint School for Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

Rhonda Hill has spent over a decade focusing on issues of racism and poverty. She has served as counselor, consultant, coach and group facilitator. She is an analytical, creative, systems thinker with compassion. Her commitment to raising awareness about racism is seen through her previous work with the Milwaukee Social Development Commission, the YWCA, the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and now through the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Rhonda has a master's degrees in Marriage and Family therapy and in Theological Studies. Contact Rhonda: 414.736.0523 ; rhonda@interfaithconference.org ; rhonda@raceandfaith.orgCheck out these websites:Faith and Freedom Tour - www.raceandfaith.org https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT-VuWOrHkxoq7vP7rYaNiN185tesL9hc8xHE4W4gbPw9e3Q/viewformwww.interfaithconference.orgfacebook.com/racialprogressNot Your Mama's Tea - facebook.com/teafortheculture Check out these books:The Underground Railroad, Coloson WhiteheadJust Mercy, Bryan Stevenson See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kevin interviews two Taylor University students who attended the nation's largest collegiate interfaith conference in August 2019 (Interfaith Youth Core's Leadership Institute). Interfaith has gotten a bad rap in evangelical circles, but their experiences might surprise you.

In a warm and dark room in the winter of 1987, people lay on the ground with their eyes closed. A facilitator from the Shanti Project guides those assembled on an intimate visualization through the process of dying from AIDS. Content Note: Visualizations of death and language.This took place at the Interfaith Conference on AIDS and ARC for Clergy and Caregivers in San Francisco. The conference hoped to give religious organizations tools to help their dying congregants. The conference featured speakers representing Catholicism, Judaism, many Protestant denominations, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and New Age religions. AIDS was a major issue at the time, with no cure in sight, and many many deaths per year. And anti-queer rhetoric (see Jerry Fallwell), laws (see Bowers v Hardwick) and attitudes (see Pew poll on political values 1987) were all common. Around the same time as this conference, the FDA approved a drug called AZT for the treatment of HIV. It was highly anticipated, but ultimately considered a failure. More years would pass and many more people would die before the approval of effective anti-retroviral drugs. And even more years before the first (and possibly second) cases of HIV would be cured. But back in that darkened room in 1987, people laid on the ground with their eyes closed for an hour, while they tried to imagine what it would feel like to be covered in lesions...to sit in a doctor's office when the receptionist refuses to make eye contact...to watch from above as people try to resuscitate their dead bodies...and to observe their own funerals...all in effort to better understand better the questions people with AIDS were likely asking of themselves and their loved ones—a practice that AIDS scholar Lynne Gerber says was common at this time in the new age circles of the Bay Area. On this episode, Lynne explains some of the context around queerness and medicine and religion and AIDS. She's writing a book about these topics, and also making an upcoming podcast series with audio producer Ariana Nedelman. Ariana provided us with the audio from the visualization practice via the UCSF Archives. Producer: Jeff EmtmanEditor: Jeff EmtmanMusic: The Black Spot, Circling Lights

In a warm and dark room in the winter of 1987, people lay on the ground with their eyes closed.  A facilitator from the Shanti Project guides those assembled on an intimate visualization through the process of dying from AIDS.  Content Note: Visualizations of death and language.This took place at the Interfaith Conference on AIDS and ARC for Clergy and Caregivers in San Francisco.  The conference hoped to give religious organizations tools to help their dying congregants. The conference featured speakers representing Catholicism, Judaism, many Protestant denominations, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and New Age religions.  AIDS was a major issue at the time, with no cure in sight, and many many deaths per year.  And anti-queer rhetoric (see Jerry Fallwell), laws (see Bowers v Hardwick) and attitudes (see Pew poll on political values 1987) were all common. Around the same time as this conference, the FDA approved a drug called AZT for the treatment of HIV.  It was highly anticipated, but ultimately considered a failure.  More years would pass and many more people would die before the approval of effective anti-retroviral drugs.  And even more years before the first (and possibly second) cases of HIV would be cured.  But back in that darkened room in 1987, people laid on the ground with their eyes closed for an hour, while they tried to imagine what it would feel like to be covered in lesions...to sit in a doctor’s office when the receptionist refuses to make eye contact...to watch from above as people try to resuscitate their dead bodies...and to observe their own funerals...all in effort to better understand better the questions people with AIDS were likely asking of themselves and their loved ones—a practice that AIDS scholar Lynne Gerber says was common at this time in the new age circles of the Bay Area. On this episode, Lynne explains some of the context around queerness and medicine and religion and AIDS.  She’s writing a book about these topics, and also making an upcoming podcast series with audio producer Ariana Nedelman.  Ariana provided us with the audio from the visualization practice via the UCSF Archives. Producer: Jeff EmtmanEditor: Jeff EmtmanMusic: The Black Spot, Circling Lights

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee hosted the start of a luncheon lectures series at the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, , presenting the first of a lineup of speakers all based around the topic of #Immigrants Matter.

How do you stop the violence before it begins? Rabbi Gerry Serotta of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington shares his views.

How do you stop the violence before it begins? Rabbi Gerry Serotta of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington shares his views.

What happens when two students from one of America's most conservative Bible colleges attend the nation's largest collegiate interfaith conference? Find out in this episode as we interview Amar Peterman and Timothy Heyward, who attended the Interfaith Youth Core's Interfaith Leadership Institute in August 2018.

On February 25, 2016, the Rumi Forum hosted an Abrahamic Discussion Series panel on the issue of “Welcoming The Stranger: Refugees and Immigrants in Our Midst.” Naseem Rizvi, Dr. Patricia Maloof, Rabbi Gerry Serotta and Sandra Chisholm discussed the issue from the viewpoint of Abrahamic traditions. Naseem Rizvi has numerous years of experience in the field of International Affairs as well as in the non-profit sector. Rizvi obtained her master’s degree in International Affairs at the Quid- e- Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan. She has worked as an adjunct instructor at the University of Loyola in Chicago where she taught several classes on U.S.-Afghanistan Foreign Policy as well as human rights and international affairs in Asia. She has also served as a panelist speaking about Islam and women issues. Rizvi then became a case manager and a program coordinator at the Council of Peoples Organization in Brooklyn, New York to assist diverse communities in health, employment, education, and legal issues. From 2008 to 2014, Naseem Rizvi worked at the Open Society Foundations and conducted extensive research and produced papers on international funding trends. Dr. Patricia Maloof is the Program Director of Migration and Refugee Services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (VA). She was formerly the Director of Development with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), the largest charitable immigration legal services network in the United States.   Dr. Maloof began her work with refugees in the 1980s. She advocates, publishes, and conducts research on barriers to health care access and the provision of services to refugees and immigrants. Dr. Maloof is trained as a medical interpreter and is a part-time faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at the Catholic University of America. Three of her publications can be found on-line: Muslim Refugees in the United States; Mind/Body/Spirit: Toward a Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Model of Health; and A Review of the Literature — Mentoring: An Evidence-based Strategy to Increase Diversity Among Students and Faculty from Racial and Ethnic Groups Underrepresented in Maternal and Child Health Training Programs. She has a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the Catholic University of America and a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from George Washington University. Rabbi Gerald Serotta is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) Prior to his position at the IFC he was the Founding Executive Director of Clergy Beyond Borders. Rabbi Serotta formerly served as a University Chaplain and Hillel Rabbi for 28 years, the last twenty years at The George Washington University, where he was Chair of the Board of Chaplains. He also served as President of the Association of Hillel and Jewish Campus Professionals. While on Sabbatical from Hillel, he held the position of Senior Rabbinic Scholar-in-Residence at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, working on issues of globalization and economic justice from a Jewish perspective. He also served Temple Shalom and Shirat HaNefesh Congregations in Chevy Chase, MD., as spiritual leader. Sandra Chisholm has been the Fairfax County Community Interfaith Liaison for over 15 years and directs the Fairfax County Community Interfaith Coordination Program within the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. During her time, she has increased the coordination between communities, non-profit organizations, and government organizations to help strengthen their service systems and structures. She was the recipient of the prestigious Onthank Award in 2010 to honor her outstanding work in advancing and improving public service. Chisholm has also been involved in creating several interfaith task forces to increase awareness for emergency preparation by providing training and engaging places of worship.

Rumi Forum and the Institute for Islamic and Turkish Studies (IITS) held a panel on the role of community and faith leaders in countering radicalization on Sunday, April 12, 2015. The Institute for Islamic and Turkish Studies and the Rumi Forum held a panel to discuss the role of community and faith leaders in countering extremism. As radical movements have become increasingly destructive, it is crucial to recognize how and why religion is twisted into a radical tool of conflict and divisiveness–especially since extremism is broadcasted globally through media. The moderator of the panel, Dr. Margaret Johnson, expressed her deep concerns of the abuses of religion and its destructive consequences, especially with regards to youths. How can radical groups like Boko Haram slit 43 young students’ throats? What are the origins of an un-Islamic group like Daesh (the Islamic State)? How can religious conflicts, such as those in the Yemeni Civil War, be avoided? The recognition and reconciliation of religious differences by leaders is crucial in order to prevent extremism and its consequential negative consequences. Beginning the discussion was Rabbi Gerald Serotta, who is the Founding Executive Director of Clergy Beyond Borders, currently he serves as the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. Rabbi Serotta outlined how the pluralism of Judaism is applicable and similar to other world religions. He said, “In terms of an organized world religion Judaism was first, and therefore had something of an advantage–if it chose to view Christianity and Islam as part of the story of what God wanted to do in the world.” Thus, he went on to explain, “God intended different spiritual paths to exist and coexist. Interreligious understanding, then, is necessary for their reconciliation and coexistence. The story of the Tower of Babel describes how God spread the people of Babel across the world to diversify their languages and religions so that they could recognize his glory more fully”. Rabbi Serotta indicated that this basic story is in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim texts, demonstrating that there are core similarities between religions, not just divisive differences that generate animosity and conflict. Therefore, “if we act with some humanity and humaneness in response to our connection with our enemies–that may shake them up a bit. This cognitive dissonance that can be created with generosity and common mourning is the answer to interfaith understanding and reconciliation”. He said, we must “offer the opportunity for dialogue – such as today – so that we can learn from each other and with each other to do what God wants most for humanity to do.” Following Rabbi Serotta in the discussion was Gail Hambleton, the Vice President of the Global Peace Foundation (US), working Director of Interfaith Partnerships, as well as the National Director of the Safe Haven Campaign: Interfaith Alliance to Abolish Human Trafficking. “Today,” she began, “we can see through media how we are affecting each other. We can experience the diversity of humanity immediately. We may feel that people, perhaps not of our specific group, are so extremely different that we cannot bridge those differences.” Feeling so dissimilar to one another, people are therefore less certain of their lifestyles and their support systems in providing a sense of belonging. “Technology brings us closer, but it also highlights our differences, and this is what must be overcome”. As Mrs. Hambleton indicated, terrorists, gangs, or other related groups are similar in their desire for meaning in their actions to fill the void they have from their lack of belonging or support, which results in their realization of the great differences between themselves and others. By invariably remaining within a social, religious, racial, or cultural group, a communication breakdown occurs between groups and conflicts arise, as Mrs. Hambleton observed during her time in Rwanda. When this conflict occurs, there is fighting, death, and destruction for all parties–everyone loses. To address this issue, the Global Peace Foundation has embraced the vision: ‘One family, under God’. She presented a solution in her thesis: ‘Social cohesion in diverse and pluralistic societies can be attained based on universal principles and shared values.’ The response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti exemplified how people – across religious, national, and racial lines – united to assist the Haitian people in a time of tragedy. Compassion, love, and faith are what enable mutual understanding. Recognizing and accepting universal values in religion and civic duty are what cultivate social cohesion, she concluded. The final speaker of the panel was Imam Talib Sharif, President of the Nations Mosque, Masjid Muhammad. To begin, Imam Sharif cited Allah’s words just before the time of creation: “Come you together, willingly or unwillingly,” to which his creation said, “We come willingly.” Thus, God ended the chaos that was present before creation to create the world. This natural order, Imam Sharif explained, demonstrates that humans must live by the word of God, since that is what is natural and what inaugurated our existence. Our natural human identity is what supports and legitimizes other identities, so it is crucial that we recognize it to ensure humanity remains a socially cohesive, not fragmented into various groups. Humans come into the world with the most natural human tendencies: to smile, laugh, love – to connect to others. Over time, our childlike resilience is eroded, our peace of mind lost. He provided the example of Denver, Colorado, where he was a part of the Stop the Violence Campaign, addressing gang violence. In interviewing gang members, he found that they all joined to attain the sense of belonging and family that they evidently lost from their childhood. Imam Sharif said, “Everybody is crying out for something.” Extremists are doing the same, as they are “looking at some of the pictures that are affecting human life that are not getting enough attention.” In committing such heinous crimes, radicals lose their humanity and are divisive forces in society. Therefore, Imam Sharif believes, it is paramount that we stand firmly for justice to maintain our collective human identity, which is necessary for humanity to have peace amidst our diversity. He said, “In our nature, we all want justice,” and realizing that is the goal of interfaith dialogue.

Jack Gordon is a professional media producer and photographer who for the past decade has created media projects in support of community development programs both in the USA and abroad which focus on human rights, public health, environmental conservation, and education.  His credits include short-form advocacy documentaries, television programming, and photo projects for print and web publications. Coming from a family with Jewish, Christian, and Bahá'í relatives, Gordon has a deeply personal understanding of the importance of building positive interfaith relationships and currently serves on the Board of the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington as a representative for the DC area Bahá'í community. At home and abroad, his work strives to reflect a dedication to service, to community-building, and to recognizing the inherent nobility of the entire human family. Visit Jack's website at www.jackontheroad.com Get the OFF TO WORK CD by Sister Jenna.  Like America Meditating on Facebook, visit our website and follow us on Twitter.

Rizwan Jaka is a leader and the former President of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), in Washington, DC. He is also an active Member at Large of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), serving on the ISNA National Convention, Youth Strategic Planning Committee, and Election Committee. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. Interview was recorded at WPFW on April 2014.