Blog

Throughout the year, Interfaith Philadelphia offers a diverse array of internship opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students from across the country to work with us. This summer we welcomed four new interns, all whom are passionate about grassroots interfaith work! Learn a bit about them below and see their full bios here. Meet Zev Zentner, Youth Programs intern! Z ev Zentner is a rising senior at Grinnell College. A Religious Studies major, they care deeply about interfaith action. Zev is a member of the Grinnell Religious Studies Student Education Policy Committee and they are the vice president of Chaverim, Grinnell’s Jewish Organization. “I’m so thrilled to be able to spend the summer at Interfaith Philadelphia. Interfaith work has been part of my life since I was a child and I’m so excited to be able to take a more active role in interfaith work for the next generation.” Read Zev’s full bio here ! Meet Katelyn Stealey, Data Analysis/Development Research intern! Kate...

Gusu School youth proudly show their artwork from Mosaic   When I tell people that I am spending this summer working on interfaith programming for youth, they often say the same thing: “Wow, that must be really challenging right now!” When I tell them that Interfaith Philadelphia’s Mosaic Summer Program is a free interfaith summer initiative for middle schoolers, they look at me like I have three eyes. I get the instinct, in a world that feels more divided by the day, the Mosaic program feels like one of a kind.  Mosaic is special—not only because it's a free program at a time of record-shattering childcare costs—but because its goal is to bring together diverse groups of young people to help them learn about the many different cultures in their city.  This June, we held two week-long programs: one in North Philadelphia at Gesu School and one in South Philadelphia at the Aquinas Center. In July, we offered Mosaic in East Lansdowne at  Vision Academy Charter Scho...

Board, donors, staff, and friends at a pre-event reception  Our 2 024 Dare to Understand Awards and 20th Anniversary celebration , held on June 6, 2024, was a remarkable occasion and a meaningful way to reflect and honor those who helped us reach this incredible milestone! With more than 275 people in attendance at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, we honored Imam Dr. Quaiser D. Abdullah, The Reverend Jesse B. Garner, Marjorie N. Scharf, The Very Reverend Judith A. Sullivan, and the Walking the Walk Alumni and Partners - all of whom have been central to living our vision, and whose dreams will shape the future of interfaith work. Interfaith Philadelphia community members, former board members, program leaders, and alumni from our 20-year history reunited to hear the stories of the people who have shaped the organization into what it has become today. The evening was filled with music, inspiring dialogue, testimonials, and Philadelphia-themed snacks and treats. Our Exe...

Rev. Sarah Hedgis, Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church,  Rev. Edward Livingston, Director of Religious Community Initiatives, and  Rev. Dr. Jay Gardner, Zones of Peace Coordinator at Interfaith Philadelphia honor victims of gun violence at Toll the Bell event .  On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Friday, June 7, 2024, Philadelphia united for Toll the Bell ,   an initiative organized to raise awareness and honor victims of gun violence. Held in collaboration with Interfaith Philadelphia’s Religious Leaders Council, t his city-wide event engaged over 40 partners, including faith-based sites and community organizations. A midday vigil service at the Annenberg Center in West Philadelphia featured prayers and reflections by these members of the Religious Council: Bishop Patricia Davenport, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod ELCA; Kavneet Singh Pannu, American Sikh Council; Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association; and Bishop Peter Hwang, Counci...