World Interfaith Harmony Week Annual UN Observance Week, February 1-7, 2023

The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbor’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths and those with no faith.
In commemoration of this week, the Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project invites you to the following events:

    Join us for the Winter Book Chat

New Interfaith Project to Reach Out to Ukrainian War Refugees in Framingham

​Collaborating with Jewish Family Services, the Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project is looking to organize an Interfaith Refugee Committee to assist in efforts with Ukrainian war refugees in Framingham. If you would like to join, please contact us for more information
Interested in joining in or donating? Let us know!

Ways We Can Help Ukraine

Picture
We come together as peoples of different faiths and secular points of view to protest, pray, and act in justice over the blatant and unjustified invasion of Russian troops into the sovereign nation of Ukraine. As we gather in prayer, we also would suggest other ways we may help the people of Ukraine. Below are a few possibilities.

Charity organizations are offering a wide range of support for those affected by the war. Here are a few that have received high marks (three to four stars) from Charity Navigator, which assesses groups’ efficiency, transparency and other factors.
  • ​Donations through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Eastern Europe Crisis Response.
  • Donations the Catholic Relief Service.
  • Global Giving supports non-profits around the world through crowdfunding. Its Ukrainian crisis relief fund is working toward a goal of $7m to provide food, water, shelter and other assistance to refugees.
  • ​​Direct Relief is working to fulfill a list of medical needs provided to the organization by Ukraine’s health ministry.
  • For local media in Ukraine, you can support the English-language Kyiv Independent and the New Voice of Ukraine directly. There is also a GoFundMe page to support Ukrainian media more broadly as journalists risk their safety.
  • An array of Resources to help Ukrainian refugees, especially those who cross the Polish border.
  • ​Nova Poshta Global launches the Humanitarian Nova Poshta project — to help the Ukrainian defenders and people in need. We collect humanitarian aid from international organizations and volunteers all around the world.
  • Rabbi Jennifer Rudin sends needed supplies to a trusted independent source which regularly brings materials over the Polish border for refugees. A Ukrainian shopping list is here.
  • Download the Peace in Ukraine Dove below, designed by Russian designer Natasha Alimova. She created this icon of peace using shapes from the national symbol of Ukraine. The logo is free to use for any purpose. It can be posted on windows, reproduced on t-shirts, and many more uses.
peacetoukraine.png
File Size: 118 kb
File Type: png
Download File
Here are some pics from our Candlelight Vigil for Ukraine. More resources for helping Ukraine will be posted as more efforts are organized on the ground. Let's continue our prayer, action, and advocacy.
Download below a Ukrainian prayer used during our prayer vigil and an interfaith compilation of prayers for peace.
ukraineprayer.docx
File Size: 21 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
interfaith-prayers-of-peace.pdf
File Size: 342 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Statement of Support for our Jewish Neighbors after the Latest Attack on Members of the Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas

The two links above are: Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project and Rabbi Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel

Responding to Racist, Homophobic, and Antisemitic Incidents in the Local Public Schools

​In light of recent racist, homophobic, and antisemitic  incidences in the public schools of the town of Holliston, school and town officials, along with local religious leaders have been in dialogue about responding with opportunities for community forums in town. The Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project, with members deeply involved, will be publishing a statement in this regard and providing online listening sessions during the week of November 14. 
We are holding a listening session for all those who wish to share their own thoughts and prayers in light of these hateful incidences. Join us November 17, Wednesday at 7 pm. Contact us for the zoom link.

Active Bystander's Training 

The Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project is collaborating with The Jewish Family Services and Open Spirit Interfaith Center to offer Active Bystander's Training to faith communities and other organizations and individuals. Using the Quabbin Mediation Model, the Training Active Bystanders (TAB) program helps participants recognize when they are bystanders, analyze situations, and evaluate the consequences for everyone involved. TAB heightens bystanders’ power. It teaches how bystanders can interrupt harm-doing and generate positive actions by others. Active bystandership does not mean aggression against the harm doer. It means taking responsible action to help people in need instead of remaining passive and becoming complicit. Bystanders gain the competencies they need if they decide to take action when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling.

Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project in the Local News

Dialogue that Crosses Faiths

Twelve members of faith organizations in MetroWest, including Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, work on a regular basis to make their communities more inclusive. They called it the MetroWest Interfaith Dialogue Project (MIDP).
“Our hope is to the honor the religious and nonreligious diversity of our communities and neighborhoods by creating an interfaith community within communities of different faiths. We focus on three goals: Foster opportunities to come together in order to come to know one another and the faiths that inspire us; Gain insight on how much we share in common through our faiths and values; Discover how interfaith dialogue and action can make a difference in our communities and neighborhoods and helps us all flourish together,” he said.