Compiled by Susan Orovitz
ISJC Mission Statement: To network and collaborate as we work to serve and promote systemic change for the common good; to educate and inspire one another to positive actions; to model interfaith cooperation; and to break down barriers as we work together for justice, right relationships, an end to violence and care for the earth.
Thursday, December 1 • 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
The Fresno Metro Ministry 41st Anniversary Awards Dinner will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 364 E. Barstow Ave. They will be honoring community partners that exemplify Metro’s spirit of “working together to build a better community.” This year’s honorees are Jennifer Alcorn (Team Job), Dr. John Telles (the Heart Group), The kNOw Youth Media and Every Neighborhood Partnership. For more info, visit www.fresnometmin.org.
Saturday, December 3 • 1 p.m.
The Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative (ISJC) monthly meeting will be held at Neighborhood Thrift, 353 E. Olive Ave. Mike Wells will host the meeting. Look for an “ISJC” sign on a table. You need not RSVP. Come if you’d like to meet others engaged in faith-inspired social and environmental justice work. Our new informal meeting format will enable individuals of different faith traditions to meet and exchange ideas, share event flyers and support each other’s efforts to create a healthier, more loving and compassionate world.
Sunday, December 4 • 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Chanukah Bazaar at Temple Beth Israel. A great day of shopping, eating and celebrating Jewish heritage! Invite your friends to shop as well; many of our vendors carry items of general interest to all. And, of course, there will be plenty of food for all to enjoy: Sisterhood’s latkes, matzo ball soup and baked goods; FYGBI’s hot dogs; and Brotherhood’s deli sandwiches. Kids can enjoy a balloon artist, Chanukah body art and craft activities. For more info, contact tbisisterhood@sbcglobal.net.
Thursday, December 8 • 8:30 p.m.
KNXT will be producing a 60-minute live, call-in special on the homeless titled Now That the Encampments Are Gone.
Saturday, December 10 • 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno (ICCF), 2111 E. Nees Ave., will host a Fund-Raiser Dinner for American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR). Enjoy an incredible silent and live auction of Middle Eastern handicrafts and more. This fund-raising will benefit the women and children at Afshar Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Tickets may be purchased by contacting ICCF (559-297-9535) or AMOR (559-440-8330). For more info, visit www.amorelief.org.
Sunday, December 18 • 3 p.m.–5 p.m.
Fresno Multifaith Exchange: Hinduism, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 1425 W. Pine Ave. (between McKinley and Olive avenues; take N. Golden State Blvd. and turn west on W. Pine Ave.; enter in the rear of building). Please remove shoes before entering the Mandir.
Saturday, January 21
Janka: The Play at Congregation Beth Jacob, 406 W. Shields Ave. Janice Noga stars in this Oscar Speace play—an intimate story of Janka Festinger, Oscar’s mother, a Holocaust survivor who, near the end of her life, struggled to tell her son about her experience in the “camps.” Her struggle demonstrates the humanity that we all share. Noga, Janka’s daughter-in-law, brings Janka back to life in a moving performance. Janka died in 1994. For more info, visit www.jankaproject.com.
Friday–Sunday, February 10–12
Fresno Interfaith Scholar Weekend: “Saving Paradise in This World.” The Interfaith Scholar for 2012 will be Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, founding director of Faith Voices for the Common Good. The events on Friday and Saturday will be free. Advance registration for Saturday’s lectures will be $40 and will include two meals. Registration for students will be $10. For more info, you can look for the flyer in January or visit www.interfaithscholar.org
FAITH RESOURCES
Interfaith Alliance of Central California: To receive monthly e-mails, contact IACC secretary Janett Freeman at revnette@gmail.com.
Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative: Click “Like” on our Facebook page to receive updates.
Interfaith Youth Alliance: Learn more at www.ifya-net.org.
Mental Health America–Central Valley: Visit www.mha-cv.org/ (has information for clergy and faith leaders).
Multifaith Exchange: Visit http://fresnomultifaithexchange.org/.
The Bishop John Steinbock Homeless Advocacy Committee: Visit www.dioceseoffresno.org/homeless.html (click on English or Spanish near the top for a brochure on how to help the homeless).
List of all Religious Holidays: Visit www.interfaithcalendar.org/2011.htm.
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Susan Orovitz is the Community Alliance ISJC Faith Calendar coordinator and the ISJC e-mail coordinator. Contact her at sussieg@pacbell.net.
