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  Imam Quaiser Abdullah, Board Chair, Valarie Kaur, and Abby Stamelman Hocky, Executive Director On March 2, 2023, Interfaith Philadelphia honored Valarie Kaur with our 2023 Dare to Understand Award at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Associate Pastor, Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick's invocation set the tone for a meaningful experience. Imam Quaiser Abdullah , Board Chair of Interfaith Philadelphia, spoke about the critical work of Interfaith Philadelphia in these times and highlighted the significance and past recipients of the Dare to Understand Award . Rev. Joyce Shin presents the 2023 Dare to Understand Award  Board Member Rev. Joyce Shin presented Valarie Kaur with the award, a print titled “Understanding” created by Krista Bard. Rev. Shin remarked, “[Valarie Kaur] has listened to victims and perpetrators, to allies and opponents. …We can make a change that stands the test of time if we ground it in wisdom about how to love others, our opponents, and ourselves.” Trina Gary

Asheq Fazlullah describes Muslim prayer practices This Spring, Interfaith Philadelphia presented before approximately 100 sixth graders at C.C.A. Baldi Middle School, a public school in N.E. Philadelphia. The social studies class had been studying world religions and the  classroom walls were adorned with vibrant posters and artwork that beautifully depicted the essence of their learnings. Their teacher had asked us to speak with the students about prayer in diverse spiritual and religious traditions.  Sara Zebovitz dons her tallit , Jewish prayer shawl Suhag Shukla , Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, and three members of Interfaith Philadelphia’s staff team:  Bronwen Henry , Director of Curricular Innovation, Asheq Fazlullah , Director of the Leadership Institute, and  Sara Zebovitz , Director of Institutional Advancement, spent the day visiting the students in their classrooms. They shared prayer practices and rituals from their respective faith traditions an

Leaders, facilitators, and workers from all walks of life are more effective when they understand the many ways people practice and orient around religion and spirituality.  Build Religious Literacy: A Window Into Your Neighbor’s Faith is a new (virtual) mini-course that takes a deep dive into the lived experiences of people of diverse faith traditions.   This spring, the six-part interactive series introduced participants to Judaism, Islam, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Baha’i faith.  Each session includes a “living library” – diverse practitioners - who interact with participants on core aspects of their faith, share personal stories, and answer questions.  The series opens with an unusual twist – “un-defining” common terms frequently used in conversations about religion, followed by practice in respectfully asking curious questions. When we expand our religious literacy, we better understand the news, arts, and culture, as well as our neighbors, co-w

Marilyn Berberich with student Marilyn Berberich is a long-time friend and mentor with Interfaith Philadelphia. After serving as a Walking the Walk™ Youth Initiative mentor, Marilyn went on to be a Walking the Walk group leader for 8 years! Today, Marilyn developed and is running our first-ever Interfaith Book Trail , a pilot program for elementary school youth in Southern Delaware County to explore different religious and faith communities. Marilyn is also an UPLIFTer as part of Interfaith Philadelphia’s monthly giving program. We are so grateful for Marilyn who has played such a significant role in making Interfaith Philadelphia what it is today! Read on to see what Marilyn says about why she is a part of our organization! Interfaith Philadelphia has connected me to beautiful and welcoming faith communities, new experiences, and amazing people I may never have encountered on any other path. I keep my  Passport to Understanding   on my desk where it greets me every day and remi