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Interfaith Philadelphia strives to increase peace and understanding among people of all faiths and backgrounds in our region. Our aim is to replace hate and fear with harmony and acceptance.  We call upon people to Dare to Understand. This encompasses our dream that people will take a chance for understanding. We believe that interfaith learning and engagement is key to promoting peace. It is heartbreaking to acknowledge that hate has a home in our communities.  The heinous hate-fueled mass shooting suffered in Buffalo, NY is among the latest of violent acts that ends lives and harms those who live on with the trauma.  There are many efforts to promote peace, equity, and justice in the local area and across the country, yet h ate for the other is being sustained across the land.  Hate is being passed on to younger generations and younger people are carrying out violence that targets people based on their religious, gender, racial/ethnic identities.   I...

Reclaiming Sites of Violence: Bringing Hope and Healing to Neighborhoods The Reverend Ruben Ortiz, Director of National Programs for Esperanza ( https://www.esperanza.us/ ) represents Hispanic Clergy on the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia. Recently he shared Moment of Blessing with his colleagues on the Council. For more than 20 years, Moment of Blessing has been used to offer solace and hope for families and neighbors living near the location of homicides. Religious leaders bring together those affected at the location desecrated by violence. They lead the community in prayer, adding readings as well as words of comfort and hope. The location is blessed; Divine comfort and love overpowering the fear and grief connected to that place. Moment of Blessing may be used as is or adapted so it is appropriate for the religious traditions and emotional needs of those who gather.   Moment of Blessing - Occasion of Homicide  GREETING  Grace and Peace to all of us...

In 2021, Philadelphia saw a record number of homicides , a majority from gun violence. This blog series invites previously recognized Zones of Peace , an initiative of the Religious Leaders Council (RLC) of Greater Philadelphia, to share about their efforts to respond to and reduce gun violence. This series will highlight a range of effective and complementary approaches taken by Zones of Peace to address the crisis facing our city and our nation. The Zone of Peace highlighted here is The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations .This post was written b y Randy Duque, MA, KOR, Deputy Director, Community Relations Division.  One City Agency’s Effort to Help Address the Gun Violence Crisis Like many, I wake up each morning to learn of another shooting in the “City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love.” Throughout the day, I hold on to the emotions I have as I respond to such heartbreaking news. I can’t help thinking about the traumatic impact these acts have on those directly involved an...

In 2021, Philadelphia saw a record number of homicides , a majority from gun violence. This blog series invites previously recognized Zones of Peace , an initiative of the Religious Leaders Council (RLC) of Greater Philadelphia, to share about their efforts to respond to and reduce gun violence. This series will highlight a range of effective and complementary approaches taken by Zones of Peace to address the crisis facing our city and our nation. The Zone of Peace highlighted here is Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence . Co-founder and Executive Director Bryan Miller contributed the following blog post. Saving Lives from Gun Violence – How to Get There I’m Bryan Miller, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence , the grassroots and interfaith organization devoted to ending gun violence and early Zones of Peace awardee. I’ve acted in this cause on both secular and faith-based ‘sides’ since 1995, after my brother was one of three law enforcement ...

In 2021, Philadelphia saw a record number of homicides , a majority from gun violence. This blog series invites previously recognized Zones of Peace , an initiative of the Religious Leaders Council (RLC) of Greater Philadelphia, to share about their efforts to respond to and reduce gun violence. This series will highlight a range of effective and complementary approaches taken by Zones of Peace to address the crisis facing our city and our nation.  The Zone of Peace  highlighted here is Victim / Witness Services of South Philadelphia (VWSSP).   VWSSP Executive Director Alison Sprague, intern James Scarborough, and Victim Advocate Lisa Klinman all contributed to this blog post. Responding to gun violence is a crucial part of the work w e do every day at Victim/ Witness Services of South Philadelphia (VWSSP). We are deeply supportive of increased programming to reduce gun violence. And we must invest deeply in the systemic changes that will drive down gun violence. In the ...