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In This Issue:

1. Executive Director's Updates
   • First Anniversary Issue
   • Boston Tea Party II: March 31st Benefit Concert
   • New Brochure Is Available
   • New Director of Development and Information Management
   • Dealing With Conflict in Your Community
   • New Volunteers and Interns
2. We Are All Connected
   • International Council of Christians and Jews – In the U.S.
   • 100 Hours of Conscience – Voices to End the Violence in Darfur
   • Religion and the Challenge of America: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
   • UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
   • World Environment Day 2005
   • Beyond Iraq: The Witness of a Community of Conscience
   • If We All Want Peace and Justice...Why Is It So Hard?
3. An Introduction to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
4. Off the Shelf
   • Auto-Mining Religious and Social Justice Information
• The Sikh Next Door - Celebrating America's Diversity in the Classroom
5. Food for Thought: Elizabeth Dole
6. Donate to Religions for Peace - USA
7. Subscribe/Unsubscribe

From Our Executive Director…

First Anniversary Issue

This month, for instance, we have added a social justice quote engine to our website and greatly expanded our listing of books and resources. You can now click on an image of most resources and order directly from Amazon. Want to know the lay of the land in terms of interfaith organizations? Read the late Joel Beversluis’ The Sourcebook of World Religions. Want a good translation of the Tao Te Ching? Try Stephen Mitchell’s translation. Make your own recommendations.

Boston Tea Party II: March 31st Benefit Concert

Okay, we admit it. It is in Boston and it will be a “party,” but no tea is involved. The Tempting Fate Revue is hosting a benefit concert to support the work of Religions for Peace.

WHAT: Original R&B, rock and hiphop featuring songs of Frank Ingari, Dave DiCenso, Leo Mellace, Steve Catizone, and Nicole Jones
WHERE: Axis nightclub, 13 Lansdowne St. (below the Green Monster at Fenway Park), Boston; tickets at http://www.teapartyconcerts.com/
WHEN: Thursday, March 31, 2005; Doors open at 8, music starts at 9
WHY: Great party; support Boston musicians; 100% of ticket and CD revenues go to Religions for Peace -USA
WHO: The band is the songwriters plus Eguie Castrillo and Webster Roach, plus half a dozen hot young singers

New Brochure Is Available

A new interpretative brochure about Religions for Peace-USA is available. Would you like a few copies to share with your local interfaith group or religious community? We are happy to send you a supply. Drop us a note at rfpusa@rfpusa.org to say how many brochures you need and where you would like them sent.

New Director of Development and Information Management

Religions for Peace is please to announce the appointment of Ms. Kinza M. Ghaznavi to the post of Director of Development and Information Management. Ms. Ghaznavi majored in Middle Eastern Studies at NYU and has a minor in computer applications. Presently, she is completing a Certificate in Grantmaking and Foundations at NYU. She is a Pakistani-American Muslim raised and educated in New York.

Ms. Ghaznavi started out as one of the first interns at Religions for Peace – USA in mid-January 2004. This was a new experience for both the organization and Ms. Ghaznavi. She states, “I was allowed to dive into whatever I found to be interesting and at the same time necessary for the development of RFP-USA. Because of this independence I was able to take ownership of all my projects and really exercise the passion I had for non-profit work.”

Two of the things she was interested in when she came to RFP-USA were print and electronic media and youth development. So she started working on the launch of the e-newsletter and a new brochure, as well as updating the website. She was also asked to work on writing a young adult service-learning program. She notes, “The Executive Director put trust in my abilities, and I felt empowered to perform.”

In June, Ms. Ghaznavi became a part-time employee, and her position expanded to include grant management. “I came to the organization with a firm belief in the mission, “ she adds. “Everything I learned about the non-profit and interfaith community was through my hands on work at Religions for Peace – USA.”

A year later, Ms. Ghaznavi says, “I am enthused at the opportunity to strengthen the skills I acquired as an intern. My aspirations for the organization’s growth are high, and I hope to help make these dreams a reality.” In the future, she hopes earn a MPA. Her interests include, but are not limited to: women's issues, youth development, Islam, human rights, intergroup cooperation, and peaceful mediation of conflicts.

Dealing With Conflict in Your Community

Religions for Peace - USA is looking for local interfaith organizations that may have formal mechanisms in place to handle conflict that arises in the community, particular that of a religious nature. Do you have a written procedure or policy in place to guide how you will handle such events? We are interested in seeing or hearing of your procedures and practices in this regard, particularly when it involves conflict between persons/groups on the basis or the perceived basis of religious differences.

New Volunteers and Interns

Religions for Peace – USA welcomes Toru Takei, Nathalie Dembele, and Warren Hsiung as volunteers in the RFP-USA offices.

Warren Hsiung joined Religions for Peace-USA as a volunteer. He graduated from New York University in 2000 with a degree in finance and economics. Warren has worked in the finance industry for 4+ years and is planning to pursue his MBA. As a native New Yorker, he has always been exposed to numerous different cultures and religions and acknowledges the contributions of these diverse experiences. He says, he is "proud to contribute to a cause that promotes the unity of communities and people all over the world."

Nathalie Dembele is currently completing a B.Sc. in Business Administration at Fordham University. Her previous work experience includes assisting the VP of MBA Recruitment in all HR related matters at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, and assisting in the coordination of major events, by meeting with potential clients, organizing logistics, and directing the staff at Metrazur Restaurant. She started her internship with RFP-USA in March.

Toru Takei, another volunteer, was born in Japan and grew up as a Christian. "Christianity is a rare thing in Japan, and, because of a lack of understanding of Christianity in Japan, I was seen as a half-Japanese person. At least that's how I felt while I was in Japan", says Toru. Toru went to a bible college, Tokyo Christian University, in order to study theology and become a minister in Japan. However, around the time of graduation, he realized that he was not ready be a pastor at the age of 22. So, he came to the U.S. to study further in theology. Toru having studied English and taken a few philosophy classes, headed to San Fransisco Theological Seminary. He studied there for two years. "As soon as I started studying at the seminary, I discovered an Orthodox Church a block away from my dorm. I was curious enough to go in side of the church. After a few weeks, I found myself to be a catechumen. I am now an Eastern Orthodox Christian (Orthodox Church in America)," states Toru.

While Religions for Peace-USA does not necessarily formally endorse any of the events listed here, we do uplift them for your consideration…

International Council of Christians and Jews – In the U.S.

If you are interested in the interfaith movement, there are many great conferences you can attend, but there are some that only come to the US once in a great while.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vatican II's historic Nostra Aetate declaration on the Church and the Jewish People, leaders in the Christian-Jewish Dialogue will gather in Chicago, July 24-27 2005, for the annual conference of the International Council of Christians and Jews. The ICCJ is a global network of more than thirty-five national organizations worldwide working on Christian-Jewish and Christian-Jewish- Islamic dialogue.

The conference is being co-hosted by the American Jewish Committee, the Cardinal Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the Council of Centres for Christian-Jewish Relations.

The theme of this year's conference, which will mark the ICCJ's first gathering in the United States in twenty-five years, will be Healing the World; Working Together - Religion in Global Society.

Speakers will include Dr Samuel Kobia, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rabbi Irving Greenberg, Rabbi David Rosen, Fr Prof John Pawlikowski, Dr Edward Kessler, Mary Boys, Amb. Stephen Wall, Cardinal Francis George, and Dr. Amy Jill Levine.

For comprehensive material on Christian-Jewish Relations in eight languages consult the website www.jcrelations.net, where registration information will be available soon.

100 Hours of Conscience – Voices to End the Violence in Darfur

Religions for Peace – USA invites you to join the Save Darfur Coalition in calling for 100 Hours of Conscience - Voices to End the Violence in Darfur. Beginning with a minute of silence on college campuses across America, and continuing over four days – March 17-20 - the 100 Hours encourages events to educate people about Darfur and give them the tools to take action.

Organizers want people to learn more about Darfur and to support one another in acting to resolve the crisis. Groups will tailor their activities to suit their specific resources and backgrounds, but all will learn about the suffering in Darfur, and all will take action for change.

Visit the web site, www.savedarfur.org, for more information. The Save Darfur Coalition will support a wide range of activities, from individual letter writing to community-wide interfaith events. Want a two-minute background piece on the Crisis in Darfur? Read on…

Religion and the Challenge of America: Judaism, Christianity and Islam

How are the Abrahamic faiths getting along in the American context? Come to beautiful Southern Maine during June 19-24, 2005 to explore for yourself. Hosted at St. Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish, Maine and sponsored by the Academic Council for Post-Holocaust Christian, Jewish, and Islamic Studies in cooperation with the Cordoba Initiative, Religion and the Challenge of America: Judaism, Christianity and Islam is a practical academic conference, exploring what it means to be “Children of Abraham” in the American context. Religions for Peace - USA is a co-sponsor of the event.

Honorary Co-Chairs include: Bishop Richard Malone, Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine; Dr. Barbara Zasloff, Vice-President, Seeds of Peace; Senator George Mitchell, and Harold Pachios, Esq.. Visiting faculty include: Imam Feisal Abdul-Rauf, Prof. Mary C. Boys, Rabbi David Gordis, Rabbi Leon Klenicki, Prof. Yehzkel Landau, Dr. Christopher Leighton, Prof. Ingrid Mattson, and Prof. Aminah Beverly McCloud.

For more, please contact Abe Peck, Director of the Academic Council for Post-Holocaust Christian, Jewish, and Islamic Studies at the University of Southern Maine in Portland by e-mail (apeck@usm.maine.edu) or by phone (207-780-5331).

UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

The UNDESD was officially launched at UN Headquarters in New York on March 1, 2005. To keep tabs on the UNDESD happenings in the US, please visit the US Partnership for the Decade at www.uspartnership.org.

National Environmental Education Week, April 10-16 2005

The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) is coordinating a new project called National Environmental Education Week. National Environmental Education Week will take place April 10 – 16, 2005. Visit www.eeweek.org for more information.

World Environment Day 2005

In honor of the founding of the UN with a charter convention in San Francisco in 1945, World Environment Day is being led off by a series of events held in San Francisco, June 1-5, 2005. Consider celebrating World Environment Day in your community. Held in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme, this is the first time WED will be held in North America. For more information, please visit www.wed2005.org.

Beyond Iraq: The Witness of a Community of Conscience

A self-described “Community of Conscience” is gathering across our country and will convene at the Riverside Church in New York City on April 4, 2005. The date reclaims the great antiwar sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence!"

Progressive religious communities are organizing the event as a climax to a series of initiatives across the country, including:

a) a write-in rally on A Declaration to the Nation (register March 20-27 at www.faithvoices.org) and

b) a Break the Silence bus tour visiting Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta, among other places (more info at www.drivedemocracy.org)

More information is available from the Clergy and Laity Network (CLN): www.clnnlc.org. Co-sponsors include the National Council of Churches, United for Peace and Justice, Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq (CALC-I), Fellowship of Reconciliation, Unitarian Universalist Association, The Shalom Center, Faith Voices for the Common Good, Drive Democracy, Disciples Justice Action Network, Progressive Christians United, Baptist Peace Fellowship, Christians for Justice Action, and others.

If We All Want Peace and Justice...Why Is It So Hard?

The Pendle Hill Peace Network is hosting an interfaith peace conference by this theme on April 8–10, 2005 at the Arch Street Meeting House and the Holiday Inn Historic District in Philadelphia. The gathering will include representatives of many spiritual traditions to join in worship, share the roots of peace and justice in their religious tradition, tell of their work for peace and justice, educate participants about how to do peace and justice work more effectively, and celebrate a shared vision of a more peaceful world. Among the many presenters and speakers are: Rabbi Michael Lerner, Dr. Andrea Bartoli, Dr. Uma Mysorekar, Imam Abdul Rashied Omar, Ann Riggs, Larry Ward, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Pat Clark, and Bud Hartley. Register by March 17, 2005 to save on registration. For more details, visit www.phpeace.net.

With over 50 member religious communities and over 90 members on its three councils, Religions for Peace-USA, wishes to occasionally spotlight individual members or communities. This issue features the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Orthodox Church today, numbering over 300 million worldwide, is a communion of self governing Churches, each administratively independent of the other, but united by a common faith and spirituality. Their underlying unity is based on identity of doctrines, sacramental life and worship, which distinguishes Orthodox Christianity.

All recognize the spiritual preeminence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople who is acknowledged as primus inter pares, first among equals and all share full communion with one another. In all other matters, the internal life of each independent Church is administered by the bishops of that particular Church.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is composed of an Archdiocesan District -- New York and eight Metropolises: New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Boston and Denver. It is governed by the Archbishop and the Eparchial Synod of Bishops. The Synod of Bishops is headed by the Archbishop and comprised of the Bishops who oversee the ministry of the Metropolises. It has all the authority and responsibility which the Church canons provide for a provincial synod.

There are 540 parishes, 800 priests and approximately 1.5 million faithful in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian Faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the live of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian Faith and Tradition.

The Archdiocese serves as a beacon, carrier, and witness of the message of Christ to all persons who live in the United States of America, through divine worship, preaching, teaching, and living of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

With respect to interfaith involvement they are active participants in: the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative For Peace in the Middle East, the Interfaith Relations Commision of the National Council of Churches of Christ, International Interfaith Conferences convened by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the NYC Council of Religious Leaders, and are members of Religions for Peace - USA and Religions for Peace - International.

For more information visit their website.

In this section we feature interesting, replicable projects of our member religious communities or thought-provoking publications for our common mission.

Auto-Mining Religious and Social Justice Information

We are frequently asked about how we find out about interfaith happenings and social justice events and programs throughout the United States. There are many ways. We do, however, have a couple of sources that are especially helpful for “real time" information. One is the religious news services on our own website. You can bookmark the link today. The other is Googling. Google and other search engines have alert services that allow you to receive messages on specific subjects as they appear in newspapers around the world. Say you are a Unitarian Universalist interested in interfaith, for example. You can have Google Alert give you little clickable news clips on both key terms as often as you would like. Visit here and enter your e-mail and preferred key words today to give it a try.

The Sikh Next Door - Celebrating America's Diversity in the Classroom

The Sikh Next Door is a fun and engaging educational project that introduces 6th through 12th graders to Sikhs, helping dispel the myths behind the turban and beard. Curriculum tools in the Project include 15-minute video, comprehensive lesson plans, and a website with additional resources. The Sikh Next Door curriculum was designed by a team of educators and is aligned to national curriculum standards.

There are approximately 500,000 Sikhs living in the United States, many of whom are born and raised in the United States. While their colorful turbans make them stand out in a crowd, most Americans know little about them. One very clear problem is that schools and libraries lack high-quality, professionally produced materials to introduce Sikh Americans and the Punjabi culture to students within their existing resources.

The curriculum exercises require minimal planning and background knowledge for teachers and can be easily adapted to a teacher's specific classroom needs. Middle school teachers can use the exercises to explore living in a multicultural society, while teaching geography and language arts. High school teachers can also use the video to explore world religions and culture, while addressing behavioral studies and civics.

Want to know more? Please phone (888-718-8214), e-mail info@sihknextdoor.org, or visit the web www.sikhnextdoor.org.

How Does My Community Stack Up?

Working with local interfaith groups in local communities, we turn to lots of places to look for interpretative data, like Hartford Seminary, Glenmary Research Center, and the U.S. Census. One of the more interesting spots is Sperling’s Best Places. You can check out how your community compares to other cities on a variety of scales, e.g.: housing, costs of living, crime, education, economy, health, etc.. Is it perfect? No, but it gives a quick comparison.

MARCH IS WOMEN's HISTORY MONTH

"Women share with men the need for personal success, even the taste of power, and no longer are we willing to satisfy those needs through the achievements of surrogates, whether husbands, children, or merely role models." - Elizabeth Dole