Interfaith Matters

Hosted by Hanadi Doleh, ICNY Director for Community Partnerships Throughout New York, clergy members, lay leaders and faith-based activists from every faith tradition are working to create positive change for our own communities and the city as a whole. But all too often we find ourselves working alone — without a strong network of interfaith ties, or knowledge of the city’s civic institutions. One way leaders can gain the tools they need to make a difference is through the Interfaith Center of New York’s Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy, an intensive seven-month leadership development program, about to launch its third year. In this episode of our #InterfaithMattersPodcast, host Hanadi Doleh talks with three graduates of the Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy about some of the most useful (and sometimes unexpected) aspects of the academy, and what many NYC faith-based activists can stand to gain from participating. Pictured above, left to right: _________________________________________ Calling all NYC faith leaders working to make a difference! Apply now for the next #InterfaithCivicLeadershipAcademy. Build your leadership skills and your multifaith network through interfaith dialogue and civic engagement training. Be the leader your city needs you to be. Clergy, lay leaders, and faith-based activists from all communities welcome to apply. Stipends for participants and grants for community projects. _______________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is guest hosted by Hanadi Doleh and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Welcome to a special episode of Interfaith Matters, exploring New York City Council Resolution 1257, and the importance of religious diversity education in public schools. Resolution 1257 calls on the New York City Department of Education to offer age-appropriate religious diversity curricula for all public school students, as well as professional development in this area for DOE teachers. Our guest host today is Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, the Director of Programs at the Interfaith Center of New York. Henry talks with New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, a lead co-sponsor of Resolution 1257, and a panel of religious diversity educators: Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, Dr. Pritpal Kaur, Education Director of the Sikh Coalition, and Aniqa Nawabi, Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network. The conversation explores how religious diversity education can help create inclusive schools and communities for all New Yorkers, and address the growing problem of hate crimes against religious minorities. Take Action to Support Religious Literacy in New York Public Schools! New Yorkers, click here to email your City Council Member, and encourage them to co-sponsor Resolution 1257. Teachers, click here for classroom teaching resources, including the teachers guides discussed in the podcast -- all found on the website of ICNY's Religious Worlds of New York summer institute. Or click here for webinars on religious diversity in the classroom, produced by the Tanenbaum Center and Teaching Tolerance. Or click here for Sikhism lesson plans and teaching resources, from the Sikh Coalition. Or click here to learn about workshops on Islam and Muslim life, from the Muslim Community Network. Together We Can Create Inclusive Schools and Communities for all New Yorkers! Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This special episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, and edited by Executive Producer Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

In recent years, religious liberty has primarily been framed as a concern of conservative Christians in the United States, particularly in their opposition to reproductive and LGBTQ rights. But faith-based values are not the sole province of social conservatives, and Americans from diverse religious and political backgrounds are fighting for religious freedom in a wide variety of contexts. In this episode, host AJ DeBonis explores the changing meanings of "religious liberty" with Liz Reiner Platt, director of The Law, Rights and Religion Project - a think tank at Columbia Law School promoting social justice, freedom of religion, and religious plurality. AJ and Liz examine ways religious liberty is threatened when it is equated with a movement advocating for a narrow band of religious views. Liz argues that elected officials, media, and the public must broaden our understanding of religious liberty, so that it is neutral, noncoercive, nondiscriminatory, not absolute, democratic, and pluralistic. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

We kick off Season Six of our #InterfaithMattersPodcast with a celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week (Feb. 1-7) and the United Nations’ International Day of Human Fraternity (Feb. 4). In this episode, host AJ DeBonis and Rev. James Loughran, SA (Director of Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute) discuss Pope Francis’ remarkable 2020 Encyclical Fratelli Tutti (“Brothers and Sisters, All”) which calls for a new global “culture of encounter” across faith lines. In the words of Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb: “In the name of God … we declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.” Today’s podcast explores the implications of this vision for Roman Catholics, and indeed for all people of good will. We also invite you to help build this “culture of encounter” on Wednesday, February 3, when we present a panel of distinguished interfaith scholars and leaders discussing Pope Francis’ encyclical. See below for details. _________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress. Interfaith Matters is co-produced by Michelle Polton-Simon. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

In this episode, #InterfaithMattersPodcast host AJ DeBonis talks with NYPD Clergy Outreach Unit Detective Mohamed Amen, who is also a member of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society. Det. Amen shares what the NYPD is doing to engage NYC's 8,000+ faith communities in working together to break stereotypes, build trust and improve safety and quality of life for all New Yorkers. Learn ways that you and your faith community can partner with local police precincts to bring citizens and police together in positive interactions that can strengthen police-community relations. ------------------------------- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, and edited by executive producer Kevin Childress. Interfaith Matters is co-produced by Michelle Polton-Simon. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

The 2020 election may be one of the most important in our lifetimes. How are people of faith approaching this election, working to get out the vote, safeguard a fair election, and renew confidence in the democratic process? In this episode, #InterfaithMattersPodcast co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Innovation at Interfaith Youth Core, on the unprecedented involvement people of faith (including many young adults voting for the first time) are bringing to this election, and what listeners can do to help bring about the changes they wish to see in this country. IMPORTANT VOTING RESOURCES Find your polling place for election day or EARLY VOTING (beginning October 24): https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ How to register to vote or request an absentee ballot: https://www.elections.ny.gov/ How to volunteer as a poll worker: https://www.powerthepolls.org/ ——————————————————- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis. This episode is guest-hosted by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

“Coming Together to Keep Our City Safe” Interfaith Matters continues talking with religious, civic and governmental leaders whose lives and work intersect with the Black Lives Matter and police reform protests taking place around the country. Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD Chief of Community Affairs Bureau In this episode, our co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with Jeffrey Maddrey, newly-appointed Chief of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, to gain a law enforcement perspective on the Movement for Black Lives, the future of police-community relations in New York City, and the national call for systemic law enforcement reform. ——————————————————- Michelle Polton-Simon is audio engineer, editor, and co-producer of Interfaith Matters. ——————————————————- Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis. This episode is guest-hosted by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

The Movement for Black Lives A new podcast miniseries asks NYC faith, secular and governmental leaders about their experiences of the movement and its future Rabbi Joshua Stanton, of East End Temple In the next mini-episode of this series, host AJ DeBonis talks with Rabbi Joshua Stanton of East End Temple about his personal experiences with the Movement for Black Lives, and faith leadership's unique role in public protests, as well as the supportive value of empathetic listening and presence. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro music for this episode is edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

The Movement for Black Lives A new podcast miniseries asks NYC faith, secular and governmental leaders about their experiences of the movement and its future The Rev. Kaji Douša, senior pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church For the first mini-episode in this series, our co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon talks with The Rev. Kaji Douša, who is senior pastor at the Park Avenue Christian Church, a co-chair of the New Sanctuary Coalition, and a long-time activist who is a leader in New York City’s Black Lives Matter movement. Michelle asks Pastor Kaji about her experiences on the frontlines of the movement, and what advice she can offer for sustaining long-time advocacy efforts and avoiding burnout. ____________________________________ Michelle Polton-Simon is audio engineer, editor, and co-producer of Interfaith Matters. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro music for this episode is edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): host AJ DeBonis, Rabbi Heidi Hoover, The Rev. Canon Terence Lee, and Traven Fusho Rice History shows that pandemics often leave long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on communities of faith, and a recent Pew Research Center survey indicates that the current COVID-19 pandemic will be no exception. We turn to three leaders on the frontlines of faith during this pandemic, to examine how emergency responses to the crisis are shaping the ways that people practice their faith, and consider how these innovations may transform religious practice in the future. Joining host AJ DeBonis for this conversation are: B’ShERTSt. Philip’s ChurchVillage Zendo___________________________________________ Continue the Conversation on July 22 Mental health, social service, and spiritual care providers are welcome to join us on July 22 for an online conference reflecting on lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. Diverse religious leaders and faith-based service providers — including podcast speaker Traven Fusho Rice — will explore the psychological and spiritual challenges of social isolation, as well as innovative strategies for online connection. All are welcome, and NY State social workers can earn 6.5 hours of continuing education credit. Click here for detailed info and registration ___________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): AJ Debonis, Anindita Chaterjee Bhaumik, Robina Niaz, the Rev. Sally MacNichol As we continue to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode brings together three faith-based activists and service providers to discuss the disturbing rise of domestic violence during the pandemic, and the plight of victims who are at a higher risk due to social isolation and stay-at-home orders. For those who aren’t safer in their own home, the pandemic has created a worst-case scenario where options are limited. An average of 115 New Yorkers have visited the city government’s domestic violence resource website each day since the start of the pandemic — a staggering increase from the usual daily average of 45 — and similar trends have been noted around the globe. As our guests make clear, this isn’t a new problem. Like so many underlying systemic issues that have intensified in the last month – such as racial and class disparities in the pandemic’s death toll – the pre-existing threat of domestic violence has only been exacerbated by COVID-19, and has become a public health issue in its own right. This episode explores the risks victims and survivors face in these challenging times, as well as ways that faith leaders can support them. Joining us for this conversation are: Boston Evening Therapy AssociatesTurning Point for Women and FamiliesCONNECT ______________________________________ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES NATIONAL: If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 911. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 656-4673 NEW YORK CITY: New York City 24-hour hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) CONNECT seeks to create safe families and peaceful communities by transforming the beliefs, behaviors, and institutions that perpetuate violence. Programs include Transformative Education and Community Building. To become a CONNECT Faith partner, please reach out to connectfaith@connectnyc.org. CONNECT Faith offers training, workshops and technical assistance for faith leaders and their communities as well as spiritual counseling for survivors. Turning Point for Women and Families: We are working remotely. Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 10am to 6pm. To reach us please call at 718-550-3586 or email info@tpny.org Turning Point’s RESOURCE GUIDE FOR NYC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC – this list includes resources for: – Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence – Other Domestic Violence Services – Food Assistance in each borough and Long Island – Financial Assistance MASSACHUSETTS: SafeLink https://casamyrna.org/get-support/safelink/: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 785-2020, 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 521-2601 (TTY) Our Deaf Survivor’s Center: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (885) 812-1001 Additional resources in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/domestic-violence-programs-for-survivors ______________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): AJ Debonis, Rev. Kyndra Frazier, Brother Mark Lane, Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein “Social Distancing” – if that phrase wasn’t an important part of your vocabulary before March 2020, it likely is now. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to policies that prohibit in-person public gatherings, and has forced religious communities into uncharted territory, requiring faith leaders to navigate safety guidelines while continuing to respond to the needs of their communities. In today's episode we discuss (over Zoom, of course) the challenges to providing pastoral care in this time of the pandemic, with three New York City faith leaders, to hear how they’re fostering connection, engagement, and well-being in the midst of a worldwide crisis. Joining us for this conversation are: Hazon: The Jewish Lab for SustainabilityBrooklyn Oratory parish of St. BonifaceFirst Corinthian Baptist ChurchThe Hope Center Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Pictured (l. to r.): Rev. Dr. Luis Barrios, Minister Erica Poellot, & author Jimmie Briggs We launch season five of the “Interfaith Matters” podcast with a critical conversation about faith community responses to the opioid/overdose crisis in New York City, where in 2018, there were 1,444 unintentional overdose deaths, of which 80% involved opioids. Rates of overdose have increased in the Bronx, specifically the South Bronx, and among Manhattan and Staten Island residents as well. Note that everyone interested in this topic is invited to our February 24 conference "Faithful Responses to the Overdose Crisis" - see below. For people of faith, this overdose crisis is a spiritual and moral crisis too, as racism, misogyny and class discrimination are recognized as factors that not only contribute to a person's exposure to and involvement with drugs, but are impacting their ability to access help. Our guests in this conversation are three New Yorkers who are experts on the subject: Harm Reduction Coalition ______________________________________ AN INVITATION If you are interested in learning more about this issue, we invite you to attend a day-long retreat for religious and civic leaders on February 24 called Faithful Responses to the Overdose Crisis: Building Congregations and Communities of Care. Drawing on the path breaking work of the Harm Reduction Coalition’s Faith in Harm Reduction program, the retreat will help to build a multifaith healing justice movement, through education, advocacy, and spiritual care centered on the dignity and divinity of all New Yorkers – including those who use drugs. REGISTER HERE ______________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like to suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by co-producer AJ DeBonis, engineered and edited by co-producer Michelle Polton-Simon, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Host Hannah Meholick (left) and Dr. Georgette Bennett (right) On the latest episode of "Interfaith Matters," host Hannah Meholick talks with Dr. Georgette Bennett, founder, and President of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, about a newly-released biography of Dr. Bennett's late husband, Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum. Written by Gerald and Deborah Strober, "Confronting Hate: The Untold Story of the Rabbi Who Stood Up for Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Religious Reconciliation" details the life and career of the esteemed Rabbi, a seminal 20th-century figure in interfaith relations in the US and around the world. Most importantly, the book provides a roadmap for moral leadership today as well as a blueprint for religious resistance against the rising incidence of hatred in our nation. Dr. Bennett's reflections on her husband and their marriage include a moving account of their first meetings, and their shared life of social justice activism, including their productive involvement with the Rev. Billy Graham. Dr. Georgette Bennett is a sociologist by training who has spent the past 25 years advancing interreligious relations. She founded The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding in 1992 to combat religious prejudice, and founded the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees in 2013, to mobilize support for alleviating the suffering of Syria's war victims. Among many other honors, Dr. Bennett has been recognized by the Syrian American Medical Society for her work on behalf of Syrian refugees. Available now from Amazon and other booksellers Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests or comment on our podcast series? Would you like a suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of "Interfaith Matters" is hosted and edited by Hannah Meholick, and engineered, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Women and the Criminal Justice System Former Members of America's Fastest Growing Prison Population Share Their Journeys How Faith Communities Can Help At a recent event produced by the nonprofit organization Circles of Support, and held at St. Philip's Church in Harlem, three women: Lanetta Hill, Afrika Owes, and Diana Ortiz, shared their personal stories of incarceration, release, and return to society and lives of criminal justice advocacy, while touching on some of the major issues facing women in prison. They also helped us understand how faith communities can play a positive role in helping women return home successfully. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Would you like a suggest a guest or topic for a future podcast episode? Please feel free to contact us at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. This episode of "Interfaith Matters" is hosted by co-producer Hannah Meholick, and engineered, edited and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Join podcast host Hannah Meholick at the 10th annual "Spiritual Sounds of the East Village" concert, held earlier this year at the Town & Village Synagogue, as Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sufis, and other New Yorkers come together to celebrate the East Village's 250+ year history of diverse people living, working, and worshiping together in harmony. Between musical performances, Hannah talks with organizers, performers, and audience members about the importance of sharing our cultures and faiths with our neighbors. Performance Credits (In order of appearance): Nechung Foundation Lama Pema Dorje Geshe Tashi La, The Center of Universal Peace Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection The Right Rev. Fr. Christopher Calin Archdeacon Fr. Michael Suvak Simona Breazu & Jennifer Cross, music directors Medina Masjid Mosque Imam Yousef Abdul Majid Mohammad Nasir Uddin, President Elder Muhammed Yousuf Light of Guidance Sufi Center Kainat Felicia Sharifa Norton Muinuddin Charles Smith Sharif Matthews, music director The Catholic Worker Joanne Kennedy Mark Ettinger, conductor Town & Village Synagogue, Rabbi Larry Sebert Cantor Shayna Postman Middle Collegiate Church Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft Rev. Bertram Jonshon John Del Cueto, music director Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. And please be sure to rate us! "Interfaith Matters" is co-produced by host Hannah Meholick and engineer and editor Jeff Berman, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website.

Young New Yorkers on "Leading through Faith and Advocacy" Recorded before an audience at the East End Temple How does faith inspire social justice work? How does advocacy inform faith? When the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) launched a campaign called #FaithJusticeHero, we invited New Yorkers to celebrate leaders from diverse faith communities who are doing inspiring social justice work. Four of these impressive young #FaithJusticeHero’s join host Hannah Meholick on this episode of ICNY’s “Interfaith Matters” podcast, to discuss faith and advocacy. These leaders share their stories. Guests (pictured above, left to right): Hannah Meholick, host Kyndra Frazier, Executive Director of the HOPE Center, and Pastor of Congregational Care & Counseling, First Corinthian Baptist Church, Harlem Joshua Stanton, Rabbi of East End Temple and a Senior Fellow at CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership Gagan Kaur, Director of Community Development for ThriveNYC at the Mayor’s Office Shahana Hanif, Director of Organizing and Community Engagement, Office of City Council Member Brad Lander (Brooklyn District 39) Hannah and the rest of our "Interfaith Matters" crew, Kevin Childress and Jeff Berman, with four inspiring #FaithJusticeHero's __________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. And please be sure to rate us! "Interfaith Matters" is co-produced by host Hannah Meholick and engineer and editor Jeff Berman, and executive produced by Kevin Childress. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro and outro music for this episode are excerpts from “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik (left) and Mohammad Modarres In this episode of Interfaith Matters, two New York City leaders – one Jewish and one Muslim – discuss the importance of food in bringing people together across lines of cultural and religious difference. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis and co-host of “The Rev and The Rabbi” program on 77 WABC Radio, is a leading advocate for offering kosher and halal meals in New York City’s public schools, an initiative which received funding last year to launch a pilot program. Mohammad Modarres, a Ted Talk resident and keynote speaker, is the founder of Abe’s Meats, a business that produces meats which are both Zabihah Halal and Glatt Kosher. Proceeds from Abe’s Meats are used to fund Interfaith Ventures, a nonprofit that Mohammad co-founded to promote interfaith dialogue and unity. Rabbi Potasnik and Mohammad Modarres met up recently for this conversation on food and faith in the Library of the East End Temple, with a few friends in the audience. __________________________________________________ Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. And please be sure to rate us! “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman. Learn more about the podcast team on our website. Intro and outro music for this episode are edited excerpts of “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere, used under CC BY 4.0 / Edited from original.

Host Hannah Meholick, with (clockwise from top left): The Very Reverend Fr. Thomas Zain, Dean, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Fr. Gregory Saroufeem, St. Mary and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Manhattan The Right Reverend Archimandrite Father Christopher Calin, Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection (Orthodox Church in America) Rev. Fr. John Vlahos, Dean, Holy Trinity Cathedral (Greek Orthodox) In the last episode, we looked at how Orthodox Christianity made its way to the United States and established communities here in New York City. In this episode, we experience exquisite expressions of Orthodox faith in architecture, paintings and music, while examining how different groups of Orthodox Christians are connecting across lines of faith. Why do Orthodox Christians venerate icons? How does the architecture of an Orthodox church evoke the embrace of God? How does music uniquely articulate Orthodox faith? And how do Orthodox Christians in New York City share their traditions and practices with non Orthodox Christians? Listen in, and experience the faith of our 200,000 NYC neighbors. Podcast Questions? Comments? Have a question for our guests, or a comment on our podcast series? Please feel free to leave comments on your podcast player, or send us an email at podcast@interfaithcenter.org. And please be sure to rate us! “Interfaith Matters” is hosted by Hannah Meholick, and engineered and edited by Jeff Berman. Learn more the podcast crew here.

Pictured above (clockwise from top left): The Very Reverend Fr. Thomas Zain, Dean, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Rev. Fr. John Vlahos, Dean, Holy Trinity Cathedral (Greek Orthodox) The Right Reverend Archimandrite Father Christopher Calin, Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection (Orthodox Church in America) Fr. Gregory Saroufeem, St. Mary and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Manhattan Don't forget to wish "Happy Christmas" to Christians today - that is, to the hundreds of millions of Orthodox Christians in the world who celebrate Christmas on January 7 (or in some cases, January 6). Orthodox Christianity is ancient - with some churches connecting their lineages back 2,000 years to particular disciples of Christ - and while various forms of Orthodox Christianity are prominent in Russia, Greece, Egypt, Syria and many other countries, there over a million followers in the United States, and around 200,000 here in New York City. It is our NYC Orthodox Christian neighbors who are the focus of today's podcast episode, an interview with four leaders of communities in Manhattan and Brooklyn. We learn from them how each community made its way into the United States, and settled in New York City, sometimes initially facing severe discrimination. We also examine the challenges the Orthodox Christian Churches face in New York when representing the history, tradition and values of an ancient faith, while ministering to people living in this modern, diverse city, and also welcoming new immigrants (and sometimes refugees) arriving with no familiarity with English language or American customs. This discussion is a rich and rewarding foray into Orthodox Christian life in New York City - so much so that we decided to present it in two parts. Subscribe and watch your favorite podcatcher for the second episode to drop in a week or so, which will focus on the "sights and sounds" of Orthodox Christianity such as liturgical music, art and architecture - what you see & hear might be surprising!