Fluidity of Faith

A recent New York Times article points to recent surveys as evidence that about a quarter of the American adult population, almost half if Protestant denominations are taken into account, have switched religious affiliations in their lifetimes. Religion has always been an indicator of cultural shifts and beliefs in America, and this fluid motion among affiliations demonstrates such diversity in those ideas. To read the entire article, please click here.

Uniting Faiths is NOT Impossible

The article "Faith unites Jewish, Muslim students" enforces the idea that reconciliation between various faiths is indeed possible. Jewish and Muslim students from the University of Michigan are spending their spring break to help rebuild New Orleans. For the past few weeks, the students have met constantly to make their trip a success. In the process, both groups have not only gained a better insight about the other religion but also their own religious views and practices. They realize that the foundations and teachings of each religion are similar. What makes this event remarkable is the students' efforts to ensure this is a successful venture and the support they have garnered from both religious communities and leaders.

This incident provides organizations like ours the encouragement and hope that our goal can be achieved. The union of Jewish and Muslim students is a small but an important stepping stone building towards an understanding between different religious groups. For peace between various societies to occur (on a macro level), it is important that grassroots organizations (which are based on a micro based) such as these are given immense support and attention to ensure its triumph. After all, major changes begin with small steps.

For more information on the article, please visit the website:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/SCHOOLS/802210392

Working Towards Interfaith Understanding

The "interfaith" movement is taking yet another interesting turn. Instead of just lectures and teach-ins, participants are engaging in small-group dialogues, taking trips, and running educational programs for a more personal understanding. To read a great article on the subject, click here! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803233.html?referrer=emailarticle

Changes at RFP-USA

Religions for Peace-USA is sad to say goodbye to our Acting Executive Director Rori Picker Neiss. Ms. Picker Neiss joins the staff of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) as their new Programming Coordinator, but she will continue working with RFP-USA in a consultant capacity.

In addition, RFP-USA is pleased to announce that Director of Development Anne Hillman has accepted the position of Interim Director of Operations. We are confident in her ability to lead the organization through this time of transition and push Religions for Peace-USA to new levels of growth. She will be assisted in these endeavors by Maxim Bakaleynik, newly appointed Coordinator of Finances & Operations.

In this new stage of Religions for Peace-USA’s development, we are taking the time to examine our past, present, and future. We will look deeply at the mission and vision of RFP-USA to determine if we are best serving the interests of our member communities and individual supporters. To do this, we encourage you to tell us what you have valued about Religions for Peace and what you would like to see more of. What programs have been helpful and meaningful to you? Which have connected with you? What resources or services do we not provide that you think we should?

Please email your comments to rfpusa@rfpusa.org