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Fostering Community
Faith communities have transformative power in fostering resilience during times of crisis. Building compassionate communities that uplift and cultivate space for individuals to find support is imperative. The Interfaith Center of New York has played a central role in coordinating responses to the influx of migrants from faith based organizations across the city through its Equipping Diverse Houses of Worship initiative. Read more inspiring work from faith-based organizations and what you can do to help.
The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services commemorates its 150th anniversary, reflecting on its extensive history of providing mental health and social services to New Yorkers in need. They provide a variety of grief groups, support groups, domestic violence services that specifically target the Jewish community, 1,200 units of supportive housing for people with severe mental illness, mental health and addiction clinics, and youth and family services.
In a small rural town, a United Methodist Church's food ministry is not only addressing food insecurity but also reinforcing the congregation's unity. The program provides meals and also serves as a spiritual anchor, fostering deeper connections among church members and local residents in a time of declining church attendance.
City of Yes Initiative
The New York City Council on Thursday approved the ‘City of Yes’ Initiative that has the potential to create 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years, the most significant effort to address the city’s housing crisis in decades. The plan passed the Council with a narrow majority of 31 votes in the 51-member body.
Trends in Religion
A new Tides of Religion Report explores significant changes in religious attitudes, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. It examines a decline in traditional religious practices, the rise of spiritual individualism, and the challenges faced by faith leaders in engaging these demographics.
Pew Research Center found that Muslims are “considerably younger than the overall U.S. adult population,” with more than a third between 18 and 29 years old. In 2020 a similar study showed that the average age among Muslim adults in the U.S. is 33. In Texas, young Muslims are taking leadership roles in mosques near their college campuses to organize community events, educational programs, outreach initiatives and bridge generational gaps.
Education and History
The U.S. Senate has approved the inclusion of the American Jewish History Museum into the Smithsonian Institution, recognizing the significant contributions of Jewish Americans. The Weitzman Museum in Philadelphia, founded in 1976, houses the largest collection of Jewish American history.
The Episcopal Diocese of New York hosted an educational webinar on sexual assault, aligning with the UN's campaign against gender-based violence, to support survivors and raise awareness. The Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault’s tool kit offers a variety of liturgical resources that churches can use in worship.
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