Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Our Anniversary and Honor 2024 Dare to Understand Awardees
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| Board, donors, staff, and friends at a pre-event reception |
Our 2024 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 Executive Director, Abby Stamelman Hocky, opened with a reflection on the past 20 years, and the relationships of trust, understanding, and cooperation we’ve built over the years. Introducing each of our Honorees were Walking the Walk Alumni who shared how their experiences shaped them into the people they are today, as they continue to use their knowledge and skills in their daily lives. Hearing of the lasting impact of Walking the Walk, followed by the honorees’ reflections on their time as Board Chairs at Interfaith Philadelphia, was a beautiful summary of our organization’s history, and a glimpse into the future of interfaith work in our region.
We were honored by a guest appearance from Bishop Wilfred Speakes, Director of Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the City of Philadelphia. Bishop Speakes presented Interfaith Philadelphia with a Proclamation from Mayor Cherelle Parker declaring June 6, 2024, as Interfaith Philadelphia Day. The program closed with remarks from Rev. Joyce Shin, Ph.D., incoming Chair of the Board of Directors, who spoke about investing our energy and imagination into building trusting relationships and furthering our community of collective laborers. She also announced the 20th Anniversary Innovation Fund, which has raised over $175,000 by inaugural donors. The Innovation Fund’s unrestricted funds will support the growth of core programs, develop innovative approaches to engage leaders across sectors, pivot to offer responsive programming in moments of crisis, and so much more.
Following the program, the room buzzed as attendees perused the Interfaith Philadelphia timeline hanging from the pillars, reunited with old friends, and shared their memories of our organization.
The 2024 Dare to Understand Awards was a celebration of all Interfaith Philadelphia has accomplished in its 20-year journey thus far. It requires a collective effort to shape a region that reflects the vibrancy of a religiously diverse democracy, in which all people are valued. Please consider donating today to propel us into our next 20 years.
To contribute to the Innovation fund, please contact Sara Zebovitz at ssz@interfaithphiladelphia.org
Blog written by Cat D'Angelo
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