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Asylum Seekers in NYC
As Donald Trump is elected as the 47th president of the United States, faith leaders and immigration advocates are preparing for the possible resurgence of stringent anti-immigration policies. During Trump's first term, houses of worship served as sanctuaries for immigrants - Reverend Juan Carlos Ruiz, a Brooklyn pastor, is now contemplating the use of such spaces again.
As New York City faces challenges in providing nutritious and culturally appropriate meals to asylum seekers, local organizations are stepping in to fill the gap. With around 200,000 asylum seekers arriving since 2022, many are in city shelters that lack adequate cooking facilities, often receiving low-quality, sometimes inedible food. Concerns about moldy or poorly prepared meals have led local nonprofits like The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH), EVLovesNYC, and RaisingHealth to offer alternatives that meet diverse dietary needs, including Halal, vegan, and culturally familiar options. Faith-based organizations, like the Interfaith Center of New York, have held multi-faith events, backpack drives, and more to support asylum seekers.
All ten shelters in upstate New York are also closing and immigrants and progressive advocates are working to institute a resettlement program to help 539 migrants leave hotel shelters in Buffalo, apply for asylum, and find apartments and jobs. Jewish Family Services has been contracted to run the resettlement program and has been conducting screenings to enroll asylees.
Faith-based organizations across the city are working to accommodate and support asylum seekers, who face long waits for work authorization and legal status. Read more updates here.
New Resource: Philanthropy and the Black Church
The Lake Institute has launched Philanthropy and the Black Church: Special Collection. This special collection focuses on resources from philanthropy and Black religious organizations, with attention to past and current efforts to strengthen connections between the two sectors.
The Philanthropy and the Black Church Project is a multi-decade initiative aimed at exploring the rich history of philanthropy in Black Churches, how Black faith communities have historically influenced giving, and how they can continue to do so through strategic collaboration with philanthropic organizations.
Support for Houses of Faith
The Lilly Endowment has awarded over $1 million each to five Episcopal dioceses, a parish, and a seminary as part of its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, aimed at fostering faith in children under 12. The Episcopal recipients, including the dioceses of Indianapolis, Los Angeles, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the Parish of Calvary-St. George's in NYC and Virginia Theological Seminary, are part of a broader grant totaling over $104 million. The funds will support creative worship programs that engage children intergenerationally and inclusively over five years, with each recipient developing unique projects such as sensory-rich worship in Indianapolis, training resources in Los Angeles, and intergenerational programs in West Virginia.
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of Stephen Free Wise Synagogue has launched a new program, the Reform Movement Alumni for Israel (RAFI), to strengthen ties between young American Reform Jews and Israel. Supported by a $250,000 grant from the Jewish National Fund-USA’s Boruchin Center—pending matching donations—RAFI will build on Hirsch's 2023 Amplify Israel Initiative, which seeks to address growing disconnects between American liberal Jews and Israel.
Faith Community and the Election
On Election Day, November 5th, Washington National Cathedral and Episcopal churches nationwide opened for prayer and reflection, promoting peace, unity, and civility amid the U.S. presidential election. The Cathedral hosted a day-long vigil, featuring worship services and online sessions focused on democratic values. Various churches, such as All Saints’ Episcopal in Atlanta and St. Michael & All Angels in Albuquerque, held similar prayer events, encouraging voters to find peace and hope during this tense period. Post-election vigils were held, including events at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York, to continue fostering peace and reconciliation as the country moves forward.
At The Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in NYC, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, and Reverend A.R. Bernard gathered to discuss faith, politics, and social division. In front of a live audience, the trio addressed America’s declining religious affiliation, emphasizing the role of faith in social service and community cohesion. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Bricks and Mortals Advisory Council member, compared today’s societal division to a film that diverges from its original "book" — symbolizing traditional religious values of respect and unity — and stressed bridging this divide.
Bridging Faiths and Cultures
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland hosted a multicultural Diwali celebration, on November 3. The service, attended by over 100 people, incorporated the Hindu Gayatri Mantra and emphasized unity, justice, and resilience.
On the India-Pakistan border, a Sufi shrine offers a rare example of interfaith and intercultural unity. Despite the political and religious tensions that often divide these two countries, the shrine draws visitors from both sides, transcending barriers with shared spiritual practices and a tradition of peace. This site has become a symbol of hope for lasting reconciliation.
The United Nations recently held the "Summit of the Future," initiated by Secretary-General António Guterres, to tackle global challenges and promote sustainable peace. The Bahá’í International Community (BIC) played a key role during the summit’s "Action Days," contributing to various discussions that emphasized humanity's interdependence. The BIC organized or co-sponsored 14 events, collaborating with UN agencies and governments, advocating for a global governance system rooted in shared humanity and unity.
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