What Does an Inclusive America Look Like?

Part Four of a “You Are There” experience at the Summit on Pluralism by reviewing these notes submitted by Paulist Father John Geaney and consolidated in bullet points by Yours Truly. Find links to presenters and panelists for your own edification.

DAY TWO: Friday 24 June 2023

Plenary Session # 1: A Discussion on Religion and Philanthropy 

Presenters:

Christopher Washnock, Strategic Projects Officer at Trinity Church Wall Street, NYC (90) Christopher Washnock | LinkedIn

Simran Jeet Singh, Aspen Institute Religion and Society Program About Simran – Simran Jeet Singh

See the links provided for each of the above speakers for examples of their presentation’s content.

Fr. Geaney’s Personal Note:

• I was not able to gather any new information about dealing with
  • philanthropists, other than the time-worn recommendation: do not give up
    • easily, hang in there; things will come your way.

Plenary Session # 2 | Bringing Faith into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conversation

 

Farah Siddiqui, The Forum on Workplace Inclusion;  Google Farah Siddiqui – The Forum on Workplace Inclusion (forumworkplaceinclusion.org)

Elizabeth Mashie, Director – Culture, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Walmart

(90) Liz Mashie | LinkedIn

See the links provided for each of the above speakers for examples of their presentation’s content.

BREAK OUT SEGMENT # 5

INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION | From Marginalization to Inclusivity: How online spaces can be transformed from places of isolation to platforms of proud and inclusive religious narratives for youth.

Leader: Yehudah Potok, Facing History and Ourselves Organization, Boston MA Facing History & Ourselves and  Introducing Rabbi Yehudah Potok, our new Head of School! | JewishBoston

• Rabbi Yeudah Potak works with staff at FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES and offered examples of the ways FH&O transforms online spaces from places of isolation to platforms of proud and inclusive religious narratives for youth. The concern here is to deal as effectively as possible with young people and train them to deal with the “hate” for Jews and other minorities that they see in their everyday negotiating on “the net.”
• FH&O has hundreds of employees who work from various offices located in seven major USA cities, and interact with staff aligned with similar agencies in seven countries on five continents.  See Locations | Facing History & Ourselves

Fr. Geaney’s Personal Note:

• FH&O outreach and its impact are amazing. Rabbi Potak’s presentation flabbergasted me with the stats he presented. I was amazed as to the extent people on the net could be as “nasty” as they are toward Jews even when made aware of the history of the Second World War and the terror of Hitler’s regime.
• Audience participation excelled in this break-out session. It is so good to know that our Jewish brothers and sisters are doing as much to assist – especially the young– to influence “the net” in respectful but necessary ways to tell the truth about Jews, their religion, and the terror of current day antisemitism.