December 2024 Resource Roundup

Each month, we collect, curate, and collaborate to create this Community and Congregational Network (CCN) Resource Roundup. This Roundup includes jobs, grants, events, reports, articles, movies, toolkits, and more. Each of the items listed in some way contributes to our shared work of building a country where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, including countering anti-Muslim discrimination and violence as just one of the things preventing us from realizing that better world.

Our Shoulder to Shoulder Community & Congregational Network is an opportunity to connect with interfaith and community organizations and leaders throughout the country who are, in some capacity, addressing anti-Muslim discrimination in the U.S. Members share resources, problem-solve, and reflect on this important work in our meetings. Our network includes volunteer-run organizations and organizations with 10+ staff members. Members include organizations in rural, urban, and suburban communities in red, blue, and purple states and beyond. Each of them recognizes anti-Muslim discrimination as a threat to our communities and country. Each is committed to addressing this issue alongside their community’s Muslim neighbors, friends, and siblings.

Know that our Shoulder to Shoulder team is here to support and encourage you in the work however we can. The views expressed in linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign. If there is something specific you’re looking for but don’t find here or you’re looking for a thought partner, please reach out to us at info@s2scampaign.org If you want to learn more about our Shoulder to Shoulder Community Network, contact us and/or check out our website. You can check out past resource roundups on our Medium Channel.

If you value this monthly Resource Roundup and the support we provide you and our partners, DONATE to the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign today. Every dollar we receive contributes to this important work.

We know that many people in our audience are community leaders leading their own organizations, so please consider giving as an individual and/or as an organization. To make a contribution as an organization, please email us directly at info@S2SCampaign.org.

Thank you for all you do every day.

S2S Updates & Highlighted Resources

• Educators Resources — If you have seen this list in the past but haven’t looked recently, we recommend checking it out as new resources have been added in the past few months alone.
• Ideas for Political Non-Violence in 2024
• Faith-Rooted Primer for Understanding & Addressing Bigotry in the U.S. Amid the Violence in Israel-Palestine. We created this discussion guide and an additional list of resources for those interested in discussing and reflecting on the Primer and engaging related resources. Last month, S2S Executive Director Nina Fernando led workshops based on the Primer at the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom National Conferences.
• Dec 3 | Training: Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam (For Muslims and Muslim Leaders) | ISPU recently released a study, in partnership with IslamInSpanish, on Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam, which also highlights persistent issues around misogyny-related Islamophobia.
• Dec 5 | The Nonprofit Killer Bill: What’s Next | Muslim Public Affairs Council | Last week, the House passed H.R. 9495 — the Nonprofit Killer Bill — a dangerous measure that could silence nonprofits and advocacy groups working for justice and human rights. Join MPAC for an urgent webinar to understand the next steps and how you can make a difference.
• Project 2025 Conversations Guide | Muslims for Just Futures | This guide includes ways to invite your people, think about what goals you might have for the space, and questions to prompt analysis and reflection. Bring these conversational prompts to your holiday gatherings, or host a space to specifically educate yourself and others around Project 2025.
• LinkedIn Learning Course: Understanding and Supporting Muslim Colleagues at Work | This free “Understanding & Supporting Muslim Colleagues at Work” course on LinkedIn provided by Islamic Networks Group, with links to other resources, including a course on “Understanding & Supporting Jewish Colleagues at Work” by Project Shema, is less than an hour and is free now through mid-December (then can be accessed with a course fee).
• On December 10, The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign is hosting an in-person community screening and discussion on the challenges (and opportunities) of interfaith collaboration and building pluralism in this era based on the new short film, Planting Seeds for Pluralism in America: The Syeed Family, which highlights Dr. Sayyid and Rafia Syeed’s practices of principled pluralism as told by their eldest daughter, Afeefa. Additionally, this evening will conclude our outgoing Director of Strategic Communications, Rev. Cassandra Lawrence’s seven years of serving at Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign.

Upcoming Important Dates

• Dec 1: Rosa Parks Day
• Dec 8: Bodhi Day
• Dec 10: Nobel Prize Day
• Dec 25: Christmas
• Dec 25- Jan 2: Hanukkah
• Dec 26 — Jan 1: Kwanzaa
• 2025 Religious Holidays Calendar from Encounter World Religions, an organization promoting pluralism and religious literacy. Recognizing the religious holidays of others is a great way to make folks feel seen and foster conversation and connection. This resource is perfect for workplaces, schools, community groups or anyone wanting to know more about the celebrations and seasonal festivals of their neighbors.

Events

• Dec 3 | Training: Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam (For Muslims and Muslim Leaders) | ISPU recently released a study, in partnership with IslamInSpanish, on Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam, which also highlights persistent issues around misogyny-related Islamophobia. Based on the findings of this report, ISPU will be hosting a series of trainings in partnership with LatinoDecisions, the first of which will be taking place on Dec. 3rd 2:00–4:00 P.M. EST. The training will aim to equip you as community leaders in strategies to build bridges and collaboration opportunities between the Latino and Muslim communities, this training will be virtual and free of charge.
• Dec 3 in Detroit, MI | The Power of Bridging Book Launch | Join us for an inspiring evening of celebration and inspiration with john a. powell as he launches his newest book, The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We Belong.
• Dec 4 in NYC | Faith & Democracy: Educating Communities for a Better Future | Interfaith Center of New York’s 42nd Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice | We will come together following the 2024 presidential election — and in advance of the 2025 NYC mayoral election — to highlight the importance of voting, and the appropriate roles of faith communities in the electoral process. The program will equip diverse faith leaders with the knowledge and practical tools they need to engage their communities in the democratic process, advocate for justice, and foster civic responsibility.
• Dec 4 | ReFrame Virtual Trainings and Office Hours | Join ReFrame virtually for one or both of our on-demand trainings through our learning platform: ‘Combatting Mis and Disinformation’ & ‘Scripting and Storytelling Best Practices for Social Media. ‘Plus, take advantage of LIVE Office Hours to connect directly with our trainers for real-time dialogue.
• Dec 4 | Introduction to Digital Security for Faith Leaders | Faith Organizing Within the Election Sabotage Response Network (Faith ESRN) | This training will equip faith leaders with tools to improve their digital hygiene and be prepared for digital threats. In this moment of political instability, our ability to be digitally secure is of utmost importance.
• Dec 5 | The Nonprofit Killer Bill: What’s Next | Muslim Public Affairs Council | Last week, the House passed H.R. 9495 — the Nonprofit Killer Bill — a dangerous measure that could silence nonprofits and advocacy groups working for justice and human rights. Now, the fight moves to the Senate where we must continue our push to ensure this does not become law. Join us for an urgent webinar to understand the next steps and how you can make a difference.
• Dec 5 | Leadership Development Workshop on Digital Organizing | We Are All America | This workshop is designed to help immigrant and refugee leaders harness the power of social media and digital tools for community mobilization.
• Dec 5 | Building Community in a Fractured World: A Conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous | Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies | In her work, Brous explores how to build meaningful community in an age of loneliness and alienation, warning that this disconnection fuels extremist social and political movements, fostering a crisis that is not only political, but also spiritual. She emphasizes that relationships of care and curiosity are vital for both personal healing and fostering a more connected society.
• Dec 5 | Technology & Democracy: How to Navigate Our New Landscape | Interfaith America | Join three Interfaith America Vote is Sacred Fellows and journalist Sigal Samuel as they discuss the impact of technology on life in a pluralistic and democratic society.
• Dec 5 in Grand Rapids, MI| “The Challenge of Power, Morality, and Religion” — The Triennial Jewish, Christian, Muslim Dialogue | Kaufman Interfaith Institute | Divisions have often led to violence and religion is not immune. National power and nationalism can obscure the ethical issues in times of division. We see this in our country as well as internationally. This can be observed currently as well as throughout history. Join us for The Challenge of Power, Morality, and Religion, featuring three leaders from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities — Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, Dr. Elaine Pagels, and Mustafa Akyol. This event will occur at the Eberhard Center of GVSU’s Downtown Campus.
• Dec 5 | URI Global Interfaith Call: Be the Light! | This interactive gathering will honor the significance of light in diverse traditions and reflect on URI’s role as a light of hope, unity, and resilience. The call will include opportunities for small-group discussions, reflections, and sharing, creating a space to learn, connect, and celebrate as a global community
• Dec 5, 19 | ReFrame Strategy Clinic: Post-Election Edition | Join ReFrame as we tackle burning questions, issues, and curiosities related to your narrative strategies and campaigns. Workshop and connect directly with a network of seasoned narrative strategists and our in-house research team.
• Dec 7 | Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid Training | American Muslim Health Professionals | American Muslim Health Professionals is hosting a virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Training session for all who are interested in learning how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges among youth. This evidence-based program, developed by the National Council for Mental Well-Being, covers risk factors and warning signs of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders.
• Dec 7 in Oak Brook, IL | Annual State of the Coalition Brunch with Muslim Civic Coalition | This year, one critical point surfaced: our leaders must actively listen, understand, and represent our principles and our issues.When we vote, we invest in a vision for a better future — one that values both identity and policy, while striving for justice, peace, and lasting protection for our most vulnerable communities. We will continue to center our principles and build civic power.
• Dec 8, 15, 22 | Voices from the Region: Israelis & Palestinians Speak about Past, Present and Future | Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom | We invite you to a transformative journey through our Voices from the Region program, where Palestinian and Israeli speakers come together to share personal narratives and explore the realities of their communities. Each session offers a unique perspective, fostering understanding and hope through dialogue.
• Dec 12 | Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence Training | Faith ESRN and the Horizons Project will be hosting our second training on “Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence”. This training, a repeat of a very well-received one we held two weeks ago, draws from the 2024 HOPE Project, a multidisciplinary research project on the best methods to prevent and overcome political violence.
• Dec 14 | Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid Training | American Muslim Health Professionals | American Muslim Health Professionals is hosting a virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid Certification Training session for all who are interested in learning how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges. This evidence-based program, developed by the National Council for Mental Well-Being, covers risk factors and warning signs of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders.
• Dec 17 | What Is Involved In Being an Organizational Plaintiff | American Immigration Council, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, National Immigrant Justice Center, and National Immigration Project, will host a remote information session on. Spanish interpretation will be available. Come: Learn the basic legal requirements for your organization to be a plaintiff and to represent your organization’s members in a lawsuit, hear from leaders of organizations with experience being plaintiffs, join an honest conversation about the risks and benefits of participating in litigation as a plaintiff. Please contact Erika Acosta, eacosta@immcouncil.org, with any questions.
• Dec 18 | Muslims in America Today: Challenges, Misperceptions, and the Role of Faith in Bridging Divides | What does it mean to be a Muslim in America? How do misconceptions about Muslims affect their communities? Join More in Common and the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding for an engaging webinar unpacking misperceptions about Muslims in America. We’ll explore groundbreaking research from More in Common’s report, Promising Revelations, and how faith empowers Muslims to navigate polarization, foster understanding, and strengthen unity in a divided society.

Jobs

• T’ruah is seeking a Deputy CEO. The Deputy CEO will work in partnership with the CEO to advance T’ruah’s strategic vision, ensure that T’ruah’s policies and programming advance our strategy, guide sustainable growth, support the growth of a values-driven staff culture, lead key interdepartmental processes, address organizational challenges and opportunities, and represent the organization in public forums and key partnerships. Learn more and apply here.
• Director of the MCC United Nations Office | Location: New York City (open to Philadelphia). Applications due: 14 Nov, 2024. The Director of the MCC UN Office guides MCC’s UN presence as a global platform for church and MCC partners across the world to advocate, communicate and educate regarding social and political policies and practices that promote justice, peace, and reconciliation. Learn more and apply here.
• Freedom for Immigrants is hiring a National Detention Hotline Manager. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about ending immigration detention, enjoys working with multilingual and multicultural volunteers, has a great attention to detail, and has creative ideas to expand the reach of the hotline! Priority will be given to those applying before December 2, 2024.
• The Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program is looking to hire a full-time Senior Associate to work alongside our director and deputy director. This person will work alongside some of the world’s best journalists, religious clerics, and philanthropic leaders, so we warmly invite you or someone you think might be a good fit to apply.
• Want to Act for Justice? The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (NAC) is looking for an Associate Director. To learn more about the position and how to apply, read the Job Announcement. Apply to join our team today! Resumes and references will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• SACRED is hiring multiple positions in support of its work to overcome hate in the South Asian American community. SACRED unites progressive members of the South Asian American community to dismantle the enduring alliance between white supremacist and South Asian supremacist actors that advance authoritarianism and the myth of racial and caste superiority in the U.S. View all openings at SACRED.

Fellowships

• Emerging Leaders Program | Auburn Theological Seminary | The Auburn Emerging Leaders Program is a year-long experience with a multifaith, cross-cultural, and diverse cohort of emerging faith-rooted leaders between the ages of 18 and 35. The Emerging Leaders program begins with a five-day in-person, immersive residential intensive and continues with monthly virtual cohort gatherings. Each cohort of 16–20 members is selected through an application process and receives Auburn Emerging Leader fellowships covering program curriculum, travel, and meals. Applications are due by February 15, 2025 and participants will be notified by March 21, 2025.
• Applications for MPAC’s Congressional Leadership Development Program (CLDP) are now open! The Congressional Leadership Development Program helps prepare students to become future Mayors, City Councilors, Members of Congress, CEOs and non-profit Executive Directors. Join a CLDP Virtual Open House session on December 12 at 7 pm ET and get your questions answered.
• Fellowship for Congregations, January-June 2025 | Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies | The Fellowship for Congregations is a 6-month cohort experience for leaders from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish congregations to build understanding and relationships across those divides. Fellows learn about each other’s religious traditions, discuss the foundations of interreligious work, and collaborate on an intercongregational project. The next fellowship cohort will begin January 28, 2025.
• The Othering and Belonging Institute’s 2025 Summer Fellowship application will open December 8. This is a great opportunity for undergraduates, Master’s students, and early Ph.D. candidates to work on a research project with an OBI mentor. The fellowship will be entirely virtual. Contact Charlotte O’Keefe Stralka (charlotte.okeefe@berkeley.edu) if you have questions.
• Afghan Youth Mentoring Program | Are you an Afghan youth who arrived in the USA in 8/2021 or later? We invite you to participate in our Afghan Youth Mentoring Program, designed to support you as you navigate your new environment and achieve your goals! To enroll or learn more about the program, contact: hello@iphobiacenter.org
• 2025 Rome Summer Seminars on Religion and Global Politics | University of Notre Dame | Join international scholars and practitioners for a writing workshop and policy dialogue in the heart of Rome from June 8–21, 2025. Application deadline is February 10, 2025.

Grants

• Inaya Care Fund from HEART: a grassroots fund for US-based Muslims in need of financial assistance as they navigate grief, organizing, and transitions. (Please share and support this beautiful care fund)
• Rise Together Fund — Rapid Response Fund: Please note, the Rapid Response Fund to Support Palestinian, Arab, BAMEMSA Communities Amid Rising Hate, Intimidation, and Government Suppression is now closed. However, we recognize that this is an unprecedented time for our communities, families, and organizations and that there is an ongoing need for support and action. If you would like to speak with a member of our team about any of these issues, please contact webcontact.ks@proteusfund.org.
• Strengthening the Campus Community Grants from Interfaith America: Grants Available to Students for Bridgebuilding Initiatives. Students, if you are interested in bridging divides on your campus or in your community, apply now for Interfaith America’s Strengthening the Campus Community grants. These grants will support projects that bridge meaningful divides on campus or in your community. Strong applications will describe projects that leverage interfaith and bridgebuilding skills for meaningful actions in post-election America. For more information, read the RFP and apply by Jan. 31.
• Abdelkader Global Citizenship Prize | Abdelkader Education Project and Islamic Society of North America | Essay and Multimedia Contest for Students: Ethical Leadership in Today’s World. During challenging times, the past can provide valuable insights for the present. Consider the life of Emir Abdelkader (1808–1883), the Algerian freedom fighter and Islamic scholar whose moral character, statesmanship, and defense of human rights inspired people across the globe. Learn more and submit your entry here by January 31, 2025.
• Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife. Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.
• BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship | Interfaith America | The BRAID Fellowship equips a national network of undergraduate students to become interfaith bridgebuilders on their campuses and in their communities. Apply by December 8.
• Faith & Health Pipeline Grants | Interfaith America | One-year microgrants to support academic partners who are integrating religion as a social determinant of health into their work. Applications open until January 15, 2025.

Calls to Action

• Protect Civil Society: Vote “NO” to H.R. 9495 and any corresponding Senate bill | “Despite strong opposition from over 300 civil society organizations, H.R. 9495 (the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act) passed the House on November 21st. This bill includes a dangerous provision that threatens the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations for engaging in freedom of speech activities. Its passage endangers the vital work of nonprofits and sets a troubling precedent for future political exploitation.” | For additional information, see resources provided by the Charity and Security Network, and an ACLU joint letter signed by over 300 advocacy organizations. In addition, see this Muslims for Just Futures letter sent to the Senate Finance Committee on S.4136/H.R. 6408.
• A Call to Action! We Refuse to Hate and We Refuse to Be Silent: Ceasefire Now and Stop Sending Arms | Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, Written by Tahija Vikalo, Executive Director and Roberta Elliott, President
• Advent Peacebuilding Experience: Seven Practices for a More Hopeful World | Peace Catalyst International | Building peace can feel like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. It’s something that happens when each one of us commits to cultivating practices that lead us toward understanding, connection, and collaboration with our neighbors. That’s why we’ve put together 7 things that everyone can do to move toward peace, and we invite you to join us and the rest of the Peace Catalyst community as we walk through each of these 7 steps together this Advent season.
• Call for Proposals: Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference 2025 | Tri-Faith Initiative | The Tri-Faith Initiative and UNO’s Religious Studies department invites submissions for the fourth annual Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference that will be held on June 5th, 2025 on the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, NE. Our theme this year is Fueling the Work. How do we nourish minds, bodies and spirits to do the work of social justice? We are seeking papers and presentations that address topics associated with the intersections between race, religion, and social justice across different sectors of society. We invite multi-sector approaches — nonprofit and civic leaders, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) practitioners, community members, educators, health and mental health practitioners, artists, religious communities, and scholars.
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition #ThisIsWelcome initiative | This new initiative aims to amplify stories of welcome and work for justice and opportunity for all through our immigration policies via a petition to elected officials and candidates for federal public office. Read the press release announcing the exciting new multi-media effort.
• Support the Transnational Repression Report Act | Transnational repression is a growing and insidious threat to Sikh Americans, as well as other minority diaspora groups. The Transnational Repression Reporting Act is written to protect the basic constitutional rights of Sikhs and all other communities in the United States to engage in free speech, free assembly, and freely exercise their civil rights without fear of interference by foreign governments.
• Pledge to Listen | Millions of Conversations | “I pledge to listen to others who hold different opinions, views or beliefs. I will try to understand their reasons and their perspectives and will respectfully express my own in return.”
• What is Hope? is a new research study out of Duke University that aims to expand our understanding of what hope is, where it comes from, and how it is experienced. To do so, we are gathering stories of hope from a wide-range of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those whose voices and stories have not historically been included in academic studies of hope and those whose occupational roles intersect with hope in meaningful ways — such as clergy, chaplains, and other religious leaders. We believe these stories can enrich our understanding of the role hope plays in our individual and collective lives. Interested participants should complete the eligibility screener. We will then follow-up directly with selected individuals.
• Reflections from Bethlehem: A 24-Day Advent Devotional Centering the Voices of Palestinian Christians and Their Allies | Red Letter Christians | This Advent season, join the Red Letter Christians community as we turn our eyes and hearts towards Bethlehem in this holy season.

Resources

Toolkits

• Project 2025 Conversations Guide | Muslims for Just Futures | “Let’s bring together our community members, especially those who may be less in tune about what policies the Trump administration is likely to enact to talk through what a Trump presidency will look like and the specific impacts on Project 2025 on our community members, through the realm of immigration, Palestine and foreign policy, public education and more. While we understand that a Harris administration would have likewise made things worse for our communities, the plans that Project 2025 lays out are devastating for Muslim communities on a larger scale.”
• Electoral Safety Toolkit | Vision Change Win (VCW)
• Rapid Response Support | Vision Change Win (VCW) offers free-of-charge virtual rapid response support to social justice movements, organizations, and leaders dealing with urgent community safety incidents. We match organizers and movement groups in need with skilled safety practitioners to support them with their safety needs. All of our practitioners have between 10–40 years of experience. We offer up to three free consultation sessions per request. Our community safety support covers a variety of community safety topics such as: Organizational safety, Personal/home safety, Action/event safety, Digital security, Electoral Safety
• Getting Started with Community Peacebuilding: Your First Steps to Understanding, Connecting, and Collaborating for Community Change | Peace Catalyst International | Not sure where to start at building peace in your community? Check out this booklet for some ideas.
• Introduction to Christian Peacebuilding: 6-Session Small Group | Peace Catalyst International | Wish you could have more conversations with people at your church about what Biblical peace and healthy conflict look like? Use our Introduction to Christian Peacebuilding small group guide to start some conversations!
• Be Ceremonial | Many people find religious and secular rituals to be a valuable way to pause, reflect, acknowledge, and orient toward our next steps. You may already have some rituals or practices that help you. If not, consider experimenting with some new ones. Be Ceremonial is one recommended resource that can help create new rituals.
• The Revolutionary Love Compass | Revolutionary Love is the choice to labor for others, our opponents, and ourselves to transform the world around us. It begins with wonder: “You are a part of me I do not yet know.” Think of these practices as points on a compass. Point the compass toward whomever you want to practice loving — another, an opponent, or yourself
• Belonging Bingo | Millions of Conversations | Play this bingo game with a group to begin connecting deeper with those around you. Use the topics on your Bingo card to begin a conversation and discover the answers for your squares. When you’ve got an answer, have the person sign the square so you two can continue the conversation after the game if you’d like.
• Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink: Strategies, Tactics, and Tips for How Everyday Americans Can Fight Back Together Wherever We Live | Indivisible

Training and Courses

• LinkedIn Learning Course: Understanding and Supporting Muslim Colleagues at Work | Islamic Networks Group | This free “Understanding & Supporting Muslim Colleagues at Work” course on LinkedIn provided by Islamic Networks Group, with links to other resources, including a course on “Understanding & Supporting Jewish Colleagues at Work” by Project Shema, is less than an hour and is free now through mid-December (then can be accessed with a course fee).
• Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) Training | Eastern Mennonite University | Even well-intentioned individuals, organizations and communities often work in ways that unintentionally sustain, rather than interrupt, cycles of violence. Harmful impacts are evident in their physical health, their relationships, their work and broader lives and communities. STAR trainings offer an educational gateway toward working and living in more trauma-informed ways.
• Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute | We train and support individuals and organizations to become trauma-informed, resilience oriented and restorative justice-focused.
• OBI University | Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley | OBIU offers interactive courses on the key frameworks of othering and belonging, a four-part crash course on bridging, a primer on structural racism, and more — all led by friendly human guides. We are cooking up an exciting new course on targeted universalism too.

Books

• Sage Warrior: Wake to Oneness, Practice Pleasure, Choose Courage, Become Victory by Valarie Kaur | How do we find the wisdom to envision a new world and the courage to fight for it? How do we survive seemingly apocalyptic times? In a world on fire, how do we find love and joy? We are not the first to ask these questions — in fact, seeking answers to them forged one of the world’s great wisdom traditions. In a time riven by caste, conquest, and cruelty, Sikhs blazed the path of the sant sipahi, the sage warrior. The sage radiates love and Oneness; the warrior activates that ethical power to fight for humanity. These energies empowered the first Sikhs to survive near-annihilation in South Asia nearly half a millennium ago. The sage warrior is the essential archetype for our time of turmoil — one we can all embody to cultivate our souls and transform the world.

Reports

• Sounding the Alarm: Nonprofits on the Frontlines of a Polarized Political Climate | Building Movement Project | Our analysis, based on a survey of 553 nonprofit leaders as well as focus groups and one-on-one interviews, finds that many organizations addressing issues that make the headlines today are contending with negative consequences such as reputational damage, threats to organizational safety, and funding reductions. Their experiences should sound an alarm for the nonprofit sector and movement groups as a whole, and catalyze stakeholders including philanthropic entities to offer interventions.
• Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam: Key Findings | Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) | Read the key findings of the Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam study. Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam examines why Latinos have lower levels of Islamophobia compared to the general public as well as what explains the persistence of even low levels of Islamophobia within this community. Developed in partnership with IslamInSpanish.
• Promising Revelations: Undoing the False Impressions of America’s Faithful | More in Common | Drawing on research from more than 6,000 Americans, with a specific focus on Christian, Jewish and Muslim Americans, this study finds significant perception gaps — disparities between what Americans imagine people of faith to believe and what they actually believe. These perception gaps constrain our ability to envision a future where America’s faithful play a central role in helping us navigate division and foster social cohesion.
• The Alarming Rise of Lawfare to Suppress Civil Society: The Case of Palestine and Israel | Charity & Security Network | This report focuses on the use of legal forums for political purposes — a practice known as “lawfare” — that is more concerned with inflicting damage on an opponent than prevailing with a particular legal argument or proving facts based on evidence. Specifically, it focuses on lawfare attacks that seek to silence and shut down the work of civil society organizations that support Palestinian rights and operate humanitarian, peacebuilding and other programs.
• BDI Situation Report, November 15, 2024 | Bridging Divides Initiative | BDI developed this Situation Report for our trusted partners, to help inform internal planning around the election and beyond. The content focuses on trends and incidents related to political and election violence.

Event Recordings

• “Reflections on Gratitude, in Challenging Times” | The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign hosted this conversation with Kaitlin Curtice, author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker to explore notions of gratitude, care, and what it means for you and me to continue building a world we long to see. We concluded our conversation with space to give thanks to Rev. Cassandra Lawrence who is transitioning from her role at the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign and her community in Washington, D.C. to take on a new position as Associate Chaplain at Grinnell College in Iowa
• Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and a Broken World | Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life | In a world fractured by terrible violence, from Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and other places, the pursuit of peace seems more distant than ever. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has lamented this “third world war fought piecemeal.” How can Catholics and people of good will answer the Gospel call: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”? This Dahlgren Dialogue drew on the principles of Catholic social thought to explore what people of faith and others can do to respond to these crises and their immense human and moral costs.
• Post-Election Healing Circle | Revolutionary Love Project
• Now What? Debriefing the 2024 Election | Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies | This post-election debrief, focuses on the role that religion — and Christian nationalism in particular — played in the campaigns and in the results. The panel featuring Sarah Posner (Author and Investigative Journalist) and Amanda Tyler (Christians Against Christian Nationalism) addresses what happened in the election, what we know, what we don’t know, and what questions this raises for American pluralism moving forward.
• A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy | The Humanizing Palestine Lecture Series hosted by the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights features scholars who center the lived experiences, voices, culture and political analysis of Palestinians and their allies.
• Where Do We Go From Here? Following Jesus as Peacemakers After the Election | Peace Catalyst International | In this conversation, author and peacemaker Andrew DeCort and Peace Catalyst’s Peter Digitale Anderson discuss Andrew’s new book, Blessed Are the Others: Jesus’ Way in a Violent World. We explore what the Beatitudes have to say to our contemporary moment and how the path of peacemaking can lead us into a new future.

Videos

• Spiritual Warriors: Decoding Christian Nationalism at the Capitol Riot and NEW Discussion Guide | Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies | Watch this ICJS-produced documentary on Christian nationalism at the January 6th Capitol riot, featuring Matthew D. Taylor.
• American Muslims: A History Revealed | PBS | A series of six short documentary films that reveal and explore the early history of Muslims in America. The series is hosted by three leading American Muslim journalists: Malika Bilal, Aymann Ismail, and Asma Khalid. The series weaves key moments in U.S. history with the unexpected but essential story threads of Muslims whose lived experiences offer us new insight into how race, religion, and nationality are intertwined in the American fabric. Actors reading the part of historical characters include Hiam Abbas, David Rasche, Kamal Khan, and Faarshad Farahat.

Articles

• Grieve, Connect, Act, Reflect, Correct (Repeat): Offerings based on the Social Change Ecosystem Map by Deepa Iyer
• Authentic Dialogue: You probably know someone ensnared in Christian Nationalism. Real communication is the first step to guiding them out, by Bruce Gourley, Church & State Magazine
• The Practice of Hope by Rachel Laser, Church & State Magazine
• After the Election: A Rare Moment for Change in America by Peter Digitale Anderson, Peace Catalyst International Blog
• Disrupting Public Memory: The Story of the National Day of Mourning by Megan Barney, Facing History & Ourselves | Breaking down the historically one-sided narrative about Thanksgiving in the US has been a decades-long effort, led by historians and Indigenous communities. Facing History takes a look at that legacy.
• Processing US Election Results by Erica Hodgin, Facing History & Ourselves | “It’s important to think about how we, as educators, can create space for students to process the election results with their heads, hearts, and conscience, as well as engage students in reflective and critical conversations about the results of the election.”
• Storytelling with Friends and Family by Jessica Weingartner, Facing History & Ourselves | Facing History offers some how-tos — for in and outside the classroom — on how to encourage storytelling and ways to engage with meaningful oral histories.
• Where Do We Go From Here? By Kayla DeMonte, Mylien Duong, Carol Graham, Kurt Gray, Manu Meel, Eboo Patel, Scott Shigeoka, Linda R. Tropp, Jeremy Adam Smith, Sahar Habib Ghazi, Kira M. Newman | Interfaith America
• ‘Saving’ Muslim Women: How Hindutva Exploits Feminism To Propagate Islamophobia by Akshita Prasad

Podcasts

• Unpacking Hindu Nationalism: Its Influence and Islamophobic Narratives in the American Context | The Bridge Initiative | In episode 18 of Unpacking Islamophobia, Bridge Associate Director Mobashra Tazamal speaks with Safa Ahmed, the Associate Director of Media & Communications for the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), and Pranay Somayajula, the Organizing and Advocacy Director for Hindus for Human Rights, on the topic of Hindu nationalism in the United States.

Closing:

“Movements are born of critical connections rather than critical mass.” — Grace Lee Boggs, The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century