Religions for Peace - USA May 2006 E-Newsletter

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In This Issue:

From Our Executive Director…

Religious Leaders Council Forms in Philadelphia
With cooperation and support from Religions for Peace-USA and RFP-USA’s work with the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, a new Religious Leaders Council was born on April 26, 2006. Cardinal Rigali and the Archdiocese kindly hosted the inaugural gathering of senior religious leaders from the region. Participants explored what it meant to be in relationship with one another, agreed on basic functional terms of their ongoing relationship, and outlined areas where they were keen to focus their attention in coming days, including giving attention to: immigration, child abuse, community violence, and marriage and family issues.

FREE Peacekeepers Movie Event Kits for You
Interested in discussing peace and security in your community? In partnership with the Stanley Foundation, Religions for Peace-USA is offering a free movie and discussion kit to local religious communities, interfaith councils, and campus ministries. Religions for Peace-USA and the Stanley Foundation are both interested in promoting just, multilateral, and lasting solutions to international relations issues.

“The Peacekeepers” kit includes: a movie detailing peacekeeping operations in the Congo, a poster to advertise the event, a discussion guide, supporting CDs, and directions for event organizers to access relevant web resources. It is an easy-to-do discussion event in a box! All you need to do is add an audience and stir. To make it simple, the kits include to/from postage and handling.

Interested? Send your complete contact information and the date of your proposed event to peacekeepers@rfpusa.org before June 30, 2006, and we will send you a kit. It is very simple. You must allow for up to two weeks delivery time.

Faithful Security? A Helpful Resource for Congregations
Faithful Security: The National Religious Partnership on the Nuclear Weapons Danger has released the “Breaking Faith with Nuclear Weapons” toolkit. This important resource answers questions like “As religious people, what is our response to these new nuclear developments?” and “How do we work together to ensure that the U.S. and the world keep faith with God by eliminating nuclear weapons?” To view the booklet in PDF format, please visit: www.faithfulsecurity.org, or contact Karen Jacob at kjacob@faithfulsecurity.org to place an order.

You Are A Peacemaker!
Twice each year we ask readers to help support the work of Religions for Peace-USA. Enjoy this free e-newsletter? Want to see new interreligious councils formed and old ones nourished in their work? Appreciate resources encouraging reconciliation and interfaith education? Feel that their needs to be a safe place for religious leaders to develop deeper relationships? Want to see a reduction in violence? So do we. But we cannot do it without you in the equation. Few things are more obvious in today’s world than that religious communities need to work together for peace.

Your tax deductible donation of $50 today enables these things to happen. Click here to donate safely and conveniently online. Can’t give right now? Tell a friend about our free e-newsletter instead. Consider donating supplies, space, or time. You may also send donations by check to: Religions for Peace-USA, 777 UN Plaza, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

New Interfaith Prize Endowed at Hofstra University
Starting in 2008, an international prize will be given by Hofstra University to individuals or organizations that promote interfaith harmony every two years. Winners will receive $50,000 and recognition at a gala dinner at Hofstra. This prize is made possible by a generous gift from the family of Ishar Singh Bindra. Stuart Rabinowitz, the president of Hofstra, said, “This generous gift from the Bindra family and the prize it funds will add to the reputation and, hopefully, encourage religious understanding and tolerance.”

Interfaith Conference on Faith and Service
Did you miss the gathering in DC in March? Thanks to The Case Foundation, you can view the entire conference at www.interfaithwebcast.org. Just click "launch presentation" and then select a session; you can view the entire session or click a dropdown list at the left to choose a particular speaker. Speakers, panelists, and participants engaged in sincere and lively discourse on the conference theme: "Building Bridges Through Interreligious Dialogue and Youth Civic Engagement."

Interfaith Youth Service Project Opportunities
The Case Foundation, the UN Foundation, the National Conference on Citizenship, Youth Service America, and Interfaith Youth Core are supporting projects that will bring together youth of different faiths to learn from one another as they improve their communities through service. For more information on the interfaith service projects that received grants, go here.

Encounter with History, Learning for the Future: 2006 ICCJ Conference in Vienna
The International Council of Christian and Jews will hold a conference in Vienna from July 2-5, 2006 to explore Jewish cultural and historic sites. These sites point to a vibrant and strong community, but also serve as a symbol of the extinguishment of Jewish life over the centuries, at times of virulent anti-Semitism in the Middle Ages and the Shoah. This unique opportunity to visit the sites will serve as a basis for dialogue concerning the state of Jewish-Christian relations. Registration deadline is May 15. Write to Dr. Markus Himmelbauer, Coordinating Council for Christian-Jewish Cooperation, e-mail: markus.himmelbauer@christenundjuden.org for more information.

Network of Spiritual Progressives
The Network of Spiritual Progressives, co-chaired by Dr. Cornel West of Princeton University, Tikkun Leader Rabbi Michael Lerner, and Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, is taking the Spiritual Covenant with America to Washington, DC on May 17-20. The spiritual activism conference will be a unique blending of progressive religious people with progressive “spiritual but not religious” people, including Jim Wallis, Cindy Sheehan, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, and Robert Edgar, among many others. For information on registering for the conference or joining the NSP, see www.spiritualprogressives.org or call (510) 644-1200.

“God or the Girl” on A&E
What! Another reality TV show? You might be surprised, as this is tastefully done and takes their young Catholic initiates seriously. They're bright, All-American guys with ambition to spare, buddies to party with, even girls they might want to marry. But beneath the surface, they are in turmoil trying to decide whether they're being called in an entirely different direction. God or the Girl captures the tension, terror, and triumph of Joe, Mike, Steve, and Dan, four 20-something men at the most important crossroads of their lives. In the five part series, they decide whether or not to enroll in seminary and become Roman Catholic priests or to find the love of a woman and settle down with a family.

Attacking Iran?
A number of experts and journalists warn that the US administration is secretly doing reconnaissance in Iran to prepare for bombing Iran. If you’re concerned about the possible repercussions, then go to dontattackiran.org to learn more.

What Can One Person Do?: Pendants for Peace

“I want to leave the world on a high note, and have people say I worked for peace. I hope to see this peace in my lifetime,” said Marvin Bernstein, 76, a Tarpoon Springs, Florida resident

This is the dream behind his new endeavor in life. One day while he was enjoying a diet soda an idea dawned on him. He thought of a new and creative way to utilize the cans of diet soda that he loves so much. He would use the bottom of the cans to make pendants. Now, these pendants are being sold at three different prominent museums for $50 each, with proceeds to benefit world peace. It is the new design of his pendants that has resulted in an explosion in demand.

However, before we get to his new ambition we must first take a better look at the man himself.

Marvin Bernstein grew up in the South Bronx, and from an early age had an appreciation of diversity. “New York was a melting pot. In my neighborhood were Italians, Irish, Jews, Puerto Ricans, we all lived together,” said Bernstein.

However, like many young men of the era, he found himself fighting in the Korean War. This had left a profound impression on Bernstein about what the realities of war entail. “I am a Korean War veteran, and I know wars are terrible things. I don’t know why we have these wars,” Bernstein said.

Upon his return to New York he called up his brother hoping he could help him find a date. “It didn’t take him fifteen seconds before he gave me Jean’s name and number,” Bernstein recalls. They have now been married 50 years, and it is this relationship that Bernstein admits keeps him going. “I just try to keep up with her, it’s impossible, but it keeps me going,” says Bernstein. His wife, Jean still works as a social worker in a nearby elementary school.

The understanding and compassion that Marvin and Jean both exude was evident even when they were much younger. When they lived in New York, they used to throw great parties and many of Jean’s co-workers at the hospital where she worked would attend. “Many of the doctors would attend our parties. They were from all over the world, India, Africa; we became good friends with many of them.

Bernstein is now calling on the world to also become more tolerant. “I would love to see the clerics from the world’s religions sit down and talk and understand each other. When you are in a war you understand how horrible it is. There is a better way, through peace,” says Bernstein.

With this thought in mind Bernstein is creating new designs for his peace pendants, with images that represent Judaism, Christianity and Islam and other faiths coming together. He is committed to donating a portion of the proceeds to help foster world peace. Religions for Peace-USA is hoping to offer the pendants as a thank-you gift to generous donors in the near future.

However, he was not counting on the new demand that he experienced. The day after an article in the St. Petersburg Times - North Pinellas Edition (4.17.06) was published he received around 50 requests. He is still called on a daily basis with inquiries and demands. “I had one woman with a check made out for $50 to send to me. I had to tell people that I will get back to them.”

It is this desire for peace and unity that motivates Bernstein to continue his work. Because of his first-hand experience with war he understands the necessity for peace in the world. Says Bernstein, “In Iraq innocent people are being destroyed everyday. I do this because of a desire for peace. I would love to see things change, for the better.”

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 Friends World Committee for Consultation.

The Friends World Committee for Consultation brings together 250 representatives of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) at Triennial meetings to unite and promote discussion among Friends from around the world. Indeed, the FWCC, though began in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, now has four global sections – Africa, Asia-West Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, and the Americas – with a central World Office in London, two United Nations Offices in Geneva and New York, and regional groups from Burundi to Japan, from Finland to Honduras. Each regional section, in turn, brings together Friends in its own community through visitations, yearly meetings, and youth pilgrimages..

The FWCC takes pride in the diversity of its members and seeks through FWCC to build bridges between groups, and through these extensive networks to discover common spiritual ground and ethical principles that inspire the Religious Society of Friends to action.

Environmentalism, disarmament, women’s rights, and racial equality are included among these common concerns. Regional sections also work to further these values – for instance, the FWCC-African Section facilitates the Change Agent for Peace Programme based in Nairobi that provides peace training for the Great Lakes region.

Since their inaugural 1937 meeting in Pennsylvania, twenty-one Triennials have taken place. The last Triennial was set in Auckland, New Zealand, in January of 2004. The next, in 2007, is planned for Dublin, Ireland.

A Representative of the FWCC, Ernestine Buscemi, is on the Executive Council of Religions for Peace-USA and attended the 21st Triennial in Auckland.

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

Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet
Looking for a well-done piece that brings its listeners a more poignant, personal, and historical approach to Islam? Why not try a piece on the life of the Prophet Muhammad? This movie, presented by KQED, tells the story of the seventh century prophet who changed world history in 23 years, and continues to shape the lives of more than 1.2 billion people. Click here to view the movie trailer, and click here for more information about the movie. It is available in DVD format.

Great Decisions: Talking Global in Local Circles
Great Decisions is an annual study guide released by the Foreign Policy Association for use in classrooms and community discussion groups. The colorful packet comes with a short Teacher’s Guide and a variety of supporting materials. The Teacher’s Guide is aimed at promoting civic competence by expanding participants’ awareness of America’s place in the international scene, as well as the global policy issues confronting American citizens. There are several handouts within the guide that serve to inform, as well as promote a discussion on pressing global issues. 2006 topics include: the UN, Iran, Energy, Brazil, Human Rights, China and India, Turkey, and Pandemics. For more information, visit www.greatdecisions.org and www.fpa.org

Good to Great and the Social Sectors
How can you take your non-profit to the next level? Jim Collins, author of bestselling business tomb “Good to Great,” writes about how his carefully researched and developed Good to Great models – things that make a good organization become a great one - fit to the social sectors approach to the world. He argues that “business thinking” is not the answer in the path to greatness for social sectors. In this short and very concise monograph meant to complement “Good to Great,” he outlines five issues centered on the application of his framework of greatness to social sectors. Visit Jim Collin’s website at www.jimcollins.com to learn more.

Securing Your Organization’s Future
Are you looking for fundraising strategies for your non-profit? Interested in approaching religious institutions for funding? Check out Michael Seltzer’s Securing Your Organization’s Future. This step-by-step guide helps you create and sustain a network of funding sources, and, quite uniquely, features a chapter on ways to seek funds and resources from religions institutions. Visit www.fdncenter.org for more information.

Beyond Theology: Evolving World Views for the 21st
Currently in final development, this twelve-part series of half-hour programs explores the notion that the guiding mythologies of modern civilization are undergoing a metamorphosis of historic significance. Throughout this series, noted theologians and scholars reflect upon the specific challenges of our time, addressing the roots of contemporary culture wars and global environmental crises. The series concentrates upon the emergence of a viable world view that integrates scientific inquiry and spiritual insights while acknowledging the value associated with the preservation of religious diversity. The series has not yet been released for television, but if you’re interested, contact Dave Kendall, executive producer, at dave.kendall@washburn.edu.

New Youth and Religions Study Available
In another indication of the impact of religion on youth activity, a new survey on youth civic engagement "shows that social institutions of family, school and religion are key factors in determining whether, and to what degree, youths become volunteers," said Desiree Sayle, Director of USA Freedom Corps. The National Study of Youth and Religion was funded by Lilly Endowment Inc and included about 3,350 teens in the random telephone study. It is available at www.youthandreligion.org.

Faithful Blogging
First it was the mimeograph machine and then the Ediphone. Then radio preachers. Then, in rapid succession, the television, desktop computers, e-mail, CDs and mobile phones. Now the National Council of Churches' 2006 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches examines the latest electronic miracle -- the blog -- and considers its influence on the Emergent Church. The 2006 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches costs $45 and may be ordered at www.electronicchurch.org.

Building the Interfaith Youth Movement: Beyond Dialogue to Action
We told you about this book last fall. It is now available. Violence committed by religious young people has become a regular feature of our daily news reports. What we hear less about are the growing numbers of religious young people from all faith backgrounds who are committed to interfaith understanding and cooperation. Building the Interfaith Youth Movement is the first book to describe this important phenomenon. Contributions include concrete descriptions of various interfaith youth projects across the country—from an arts-program in the South Bronx to a research program at Harvard University to a national organization called the Interfaith Youth Core based in Chicago—written by the founders and leaders of those initiatives. Additional chapters articulate the theory and methodology of this important new movement. This book is a must-read for college chaplains, religious leaders who work with youth, and students and scholars of contemporary religion. Available via AltaMira Press.

"The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place." - Marian Wright Edelman

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