Blog

Today, our society needs dialogue and understanding more than ever. Because of this, we have worked tirelessly to unite people to stay in relationships and listen with compassion. Over the past two months, we have gotten requests from and worked with numerous individuals, organizations, and communities to help meet their needs in response to the crisis in Israel and Gaza. Here are just a few examples:  Interfaith Leadership Interfaith Philadelphia’s Board of Directors and the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia directed their attention to this crisis at their fall meetings. Demonstrating the importance of having tables that foster ongoing relationships, each of these bodies asked its members to share the following: What are you holding? How is this impacting you and your communities?  What kind of support do you need?   We learned how alone leaders felt when they did not hear from their interfaith colleagues after October 7th, and how the simples...

By Sierra Cole Religion is frequently overlooked when it comes to a company's diversity agenda. This omission can lead to missed opportunities for establishing a workforce that is truly inclusive and representative. This fall, Interfaith Philadelphia organized a panel discussion for Buck-Mont Collaborative , a membership organization for health and human services professionals in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The topic: Religious Diversity in Our Lives and Workplaces .   Interfaith Philadelphia's Leadership Institute Director, Asheq Fazllulah , moderated a panel of local professionals who came from Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim faith traditions. The four panelists were: Nihad Kaiseruddin, a sales manager Matthew Gambino, a church leader  John Harris, a healthcare executive Tue Dac Ho, Esq., an attorney The panelists were asked, “How do you live your faith outside of your home and specifically in the workplace?”  Overall they shared that faith, ...

Since our founding in 2004, Interfaith Philadelphia has challenged people across sectors to Dare to understand®   one another. As we gear up to mark this milestone, we invite you to join us on our momentous journey. Here's a sneak peek at just a few ways you can take part in our celebratory events. Honoring: Imam Quaiser Abdullah, PhD , Board Chair, Interfaith Philadelphia, 2021-2024  Rev. Jesse Garner , Board Chair, Interfaith Philadelphia, 2018-2021 Margie Scharf , Creator of Interfaith Philadelphia’s  Walking the Walk Youth Initiative   The Very Rev. Judy Sullivan,  Board Chair, Interfaith Philadelphia, 2014-2018 Walking the Walk Alumni and Partners   Share Your Interfaith Story: Voices of the Future Alumni of our  Walking the Walk Youth Initiative   will share stories of impact and their vision for the future of interfaith work. Do you have a WTW story to tell? Contact River Mason at  rm@interfaithphiladelphia 20 Questions Video Series Th...

By River Mason Since 2007, Interfaith Philadelphia has hosted Interfaith Alternative Break Trips for student leaders from colleges, universities, high schools, and youth groups from around the country. We were grateful to resume in-person programs during the 2022-2023 season, and this fall marked another successful Alternative Break season. LaSalle University and Messiah University students joined Interfaith Philadelphia to engage in interfaith exploration, volunteer work, and community engagement. As a new staff member, participating in the Alternative Break for the first time provided me with valuable insights. What surprised me most was the return of two former participants who expressed their deep enjoyment from a previous experience, inspiring them to join the trip once again. Their eagerness to explore further was truly remarkable. We delved into discussions about our understanding of various faith traditions and personal backgrounds. Some students joined due to academic require...

Celebrating our Best-Ever #GivingTuesday  November was exciting for Interfaith Philadelphia. Not only did we kick off our 20th Anniversary but we also celebrated #GivingTuesday (November 28, 2023) when we raised more than $4,600 in one day from generous donors. While overall national trends for #GivingTuesday showed a decrease in donors and donations, we attracted more new donors this year than ever before. What made this achievement even more special was the inclusion of program participants among the contributors, showcasing our community's deep commitment to our mission.  Giving Machines Raises Funds for Zones of Peace Another exciting initiative that contributed to our successful November was the Light the World Giving Machine MidAtlantic , sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Departing from traditional vending machines that dispense snacks, Giving Machines make giving back as easy as buying a candy bar. This national campaign made its Philadel...

  “Whatever your faith, or lack thereof, Interfaith Philadelphia’s program for women can change your worldview — and your confidence to change the world”  – Jessica Blatt Press, The Philadelphia Citizen . Since 2016, Visionary Women has convened women from all walks of life in the Greater Philadelphia region to break down barriers, foster meaningful connections, and inspire positive change through the exploration of different faith traditions. To date, more than 300 women have participated in this six-month program. Our 2024 offering begins January 7, 2024, and runs through May 19, 2024 . Led by trained facilitators, the curriculum will include dialogue skills training and anti-discrimination education. “Different people come as they are,” says Nzinga Aziz , a consultant to the program. “They bring their whole selves and with really pure intentions. They want to share and they want to hear. They want to listen and they want to be heard." The program is intentionally designed...