February 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 Muslim neighbors, friends, and siblings in their community.

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.

Shoulder to Shoulder Updates & Highlighted Resources

• March 19 | Faith Over Fear: Countering Anti-Muslim Bias Training Houston
• Addressing Anti-Muslim Discrimination: Resources for building more inclusive classrooms, campuses, and communities
• Countering anti-Muslim Discrimination trainings, workshops and presentations. Over the last four months we have had a rise in requests for trainings, workshops, and presentations on anti-Muslim discrimination in the U.S. and how faith communities can respond. If you’re looking for support and resources, our team is here to help you and your communities. Reach out to us: info@S2SCampaign.org

Ramadan Is Coming!

March 11 — April 10, 2024

The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign’s Annual Ramadan Campaign is an effort to identify, uplift, and connect people to Iftars open to interfaith guests across the United States of America to support local relationship-building among Muslim communities and those of other faiths and cultural backgrounds.

• Check out and help us build 2024 Iftar listings around the country.
• Add your iftar to our national iftar listing on this form.
• Explore our Ramadan Resources. Download one of our interfaith iftar dialogue guides, including one designed specifically for virtual iftars. Whether this is your first interfaith iftar or you feel like a pro, these guides include helpful tips for meaningful and engaging conversations and meals. We also have resources from partners and friends at the bottom of our Ramadan Resources page.
• Learn more about Ramadan
• What You Should Know Before Attending Your First Iftar
• Did you know Muslims have lived in the Americas for over 500 years?
• We’re looking for Volunteers for our 2024 Ramadan Campaign to help with identifying iftars open to interfaith guests.

Spring Holy Days Resources

Sharing these resources for the upcoming spring holy days

• Spring 2023 Interfaith Discussion Guide | Sanford Health
• Lived Diversity: Observing Passover, Easter, and Ramadan | Institute for Islamic Christian Jewish Studies
• Celebrating Together: 2023 Spring Festivals & Religious Practices | Aspen Institute by Sheridan Ruiz
• Multifaith Neighbors Network guides to Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.
• What Companies Should Post on Social Media About Ramadan, Passover, and Easter | National Law Review by Stephanie M. Marrone
• Upcoming ING Ramadan and Abrahamic Holiday Convergence Events | Islamic Networking Group (ING)
• Sikh Celebrations! Lessons and Activities for Inclusive Classrooms | Sikh Coalition

Upcoming Important Dates

March Women’s History Month & Beginning of Ramadan (Mar 10, 2024 — Apr 9, 2024)

• Mar 8: International Women’s Day
• Mar 10: Harriet Tubman Day
• Mar 10 — Apr 9: Beginning of Ramadan
• Mar 15: International Day to Combat Islamophobia — What will your community do to mark this important day?
• March 16: 6 Asian women killed in spas and massage parlors in Atlanta, GA.
• Mar 19: Nowruz
• March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by the United Nations.
• Mar 23/24: Purim (Jewish)
• Mar 25: Holi
• March 27: Muslim Women’s Day
• Mar 31: Easter — Western (Christian)
• 2024 Religious Holidays Calendar from Encounter World Religions, an organization promoting pluralism and religious literacy.
• AntiRacism Calendar
• Equal Justice Initiative Calendar

Events

• Feb 5 through Mar 18 Shared Scripture, Divided Faiths: Jews and Christians Encounter the Bible — Jewish Theological Seminary
• Mar 3 Multifaith Leadership and Engagement in a Fractured World Workshop
• Mar 5, 12, 19 & 26 | Webinar Series — Antisemitism and Islamophobia: Then and Now | Hartford International University
• March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2024 “Speaking Truth to Myths We Live By” A Luncheon/Lecture Series sponsored by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and its Peace and International Issues Committee | Deadline To Register Is March 1st
• March 7, 2024 Building Trust in Divisive Times, Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN Interfaith Spring Symposium.
• March 8 | Pixels for Peace | Digital Peacebuilding Webinar | Search for Common Ground | In an era where conflicts and tensions can quickly escalate through online platforms, learn how to be a conscientious digital peacebuilding by leveraging technology.
• March 8th | Department of Justice Community Safety Update for Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Community Stakeholders (11:45 AM — 12:15 PM ET) Zoom Registration.
• March 12, 12pm EST | Palestine Activism in Digital Spaces: Confronting Surveillance, Censorship, and Violent Harassment | Registration Here
• March 16,12:00–2:00 PM ET | Healing in the Wake of Genocide | Join an insightful lecture featuring Freddy Mutanguha, CEO of Aegis Trust, sharing experiences from Rwanda and exploring the unimaginable journey of healing after genocide. This event provides a unique perspective on transforming communities from mindsets of mistrust to shared responsibility for peace and stability.
• Interfaith Center of New York’s Disarming Hate: Workshop and Dialogue Series March 13, April 17, May 9, 16 | Registration and Information
• April 8 and 9 | Antisemitism and Allyship: Assessing the Present, Imagining the Future | Registration and Information
• On The Blood Libel (And Other Lies About Jews) Online | Four Wednesdays: March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 7:00 P.M. Et | Registration and Information
• April 4–6, 2024 | Religion Communicators Council Convention | Louisville, Kentucky
• April 13–16 | Summit for Religious Freedom
• April 25–27th | Othering and Belonging Conference | UC Berkeley
• May 15th — 16th, 2024 | The Summit to Counter Antisemitism & Islamophobia and Related Forms of Hatred and Bias in Rural America: a two-day convening on the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, Nebraska. Registration Here
• June 5–6, 2024 | Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference to be held on the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, NE.
• June 11–14 | Center for Story-based Strategy Advanced Training | The Advanced Training (AT) is a 4-day deep immersion in Story-based Strategy concepts and tools. Story-based Strategy is a framework that integrates core principles from organizing, communications, narrative, and culture, and has built with grassroots movements in changing the story for over 20 years. More Information Here
• June 16–20 Teaching Interfaith Understanding Faculty Seminar
• July 11–13 | Netroots Nation in Baltimore Proposals due Feb 5
• August 2–4 | The 2024 Interfaith Leadership Summit | Chicago
• August 30 — September 2, 2024 | 61st Annual ISNA Convention | Dallas, TX
• May 23 — June 1 | Peace Catalyst trip in Bosnia & Herzegovina. You will meet and talk to Serbian Orthodox Christians, Bosniac Muslims, and Croatian Catholics. You will visit and discuss the Srebrenica memorial and learn why things fell apart, but more importantly, you will consider how to put things back together with people who have endured civil war and genocide. Trip details

Jobs

• Faith in Public Life Position Openings: Chief Operating Officer
• Interfaith Alliance is hiring for a new role: Communications, Marketing, and Fundraising Associate (DC preferred). https://interfaithalliance.org/careers/
• T’ruah is hiring three new roles. Rabbinical Student Organizers, Massachusetts and New York; Development Assistant; Operations and Finance Assistant. These positions will serve vital roles in deepening and expanding the human rights work of our network of over 2,300 rabbis and cantors. Learn more and apply at http://buff.ly/3HZ51Em
• Religious Action Center is now hiring for the 2024–2025 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Program

Fellowships

• The 2024 BJC Fellows application deadline has been extended to Friday, March 15. Open to young adults ages 25 to 45 who want to expand their understanding of religious liberty, it includes a Seminar in Colonial Williamsburg from July 24–28. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a BJC Fellow, you have the next two weeks to finish and submit your application! Click here to learn more and apply. FYI…Please encourage any past applicants to reapply. The 2024 Seminar will take place July 24–28, 2024. (Shoulder to Shoulder’s Director of Strategic Communications, Rev. Cassandra Lawrence, was a 2022 Fellow.)
• 2024 Public Leaders for Inclusion Council | America Indivisible | The Public Leaders for Inclusion Council (PLC) is a leadership development program that equips public servants in elected, appointed, and professional positions to explore practices and policies that challenge anti-Muslim racism and other forms of hate while building inclusion and social resilience in their communities.
• Boston College School of Theology and Ministry is launching a new certificate program in summer 2024. Courage to Preach is a six-credit post-master’s certificate program that will train participants to read and interpret Scripture and use it as a foundational collection to preach on contemporary issues, such as racial, economic, and environmental justice. The program will teach methods for preaching and teaching diverse audiences. It is especially attuned to the various opportunities, contexts, and media that can be most effective for reaching young adults.
• Sojourners Fellowship Program Do you know a recent college grad or someone seeking a meaningful career who is interested in faith and social justice? Sojourners’ year-long fellowship program offers an entry-level position at Sojourners’ offices in Washington, D.C., combined with community living for mutual support and personal growth. Apply by March 8 for the next cohort, which starts in August 2024.
• Centro Pro Unione Summer Course in Ecumenism June 24-July 12, 2024 Applications are open (until March 31, 2024) for the summer course in ecumenical and interreligious movements at the Centro Pro Unione, located on the historic Piazza Navona in the heart of Rome. Information Here
• Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF’s) Scholarship Application is open until March 21st, 2024 for the 2024–25 school year. Every year, ISF awards up to $10,000 in scholarships to up-and-coming changemakers in media, policy, public interest law, and film.
• ISF’s paid 9-month Congressional Policy Fellowship are being accepted on a rolling basis. Through a 9-month paid fellowship, young professionals gain real-world experience working on legislative and public policy issues in Congress. This opportunity is for American Muslims committed to a career in public service.
• Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice 2024 Certificate Program. June 17–21, 2024 Applicants are encouraged to seek sponsorship from their academic institutions, denominations, and congregations (most participants are sponsored either partially or fully by their academic institutions). For more information about the Certificate Program, including how to apply, please visit the following website: https://www.faithandjusticeacademy.com/

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 is offering rapid response grants ranging from $5,000 — $25,000 to U.S. based community organizations. Each inquiry will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Whenever possible, RTF will support organizations with general support grants to allow for organizational flexibility. More Information Here
• Reflective Leadership Grants | Duke Divinity School | Reflective Leadership Grants provide Christian leaders “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps
• 2024 Election Grants | Protect Democracy and Interfaith America have launched an Request For Proposals for $15,000 and $1,000 grants to faith-based organizations who commit to work to support the 2024 election. The purpose of these funds is to provide an early boost to efforts to support and protect the 2024 election.

Call to Action

• Clergy Network | TurnOutSunday
• Building Movement Project invites organizational leaders to participate in a brief survey aimed at understanding how nonprofits are navigating the current political climate and facing legal and legislative challenges on core progressive issues. Survey Link: https://bit.ly/political-climate-survey
• Fragments seeks articles of 1,000 or 2,000 words that address our core questions from a wide range of fields and perspectives: Jewish text, history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, explorations of antisemitism, and more. Submit pitches using this form. Fragments is an initiative of Emor, an invitation to explore one topic from multiple angles, always with a deep dive into Jewish wisdom. Our third issue of Fragments asks: How can Jews work toward a vibrant multiracial democracy from a stance that is not fear-based? What aspects and institutions of our democracy are we fighting to protect, fighting to win back, or fighting to create? How does Judaism in particular — our sacred texts, history, and literature — teach us about this struggle and point ways forward?
• Add a Middle Eastern North African category in California | A multi-partner letter campaign for California-based organizations urging the California State Legislature to. You can find the landing page here.

Toolkits

• Factsheet: Common Anti-Muslim Tropes — Bridge Initiative
• Anti-Palestinian Racism 101
• Covering American Muslims — A Guide for Journalists | ISPU
• Religion Link Guide on Reporting on Rising Antisemitism and Islamophobia
• Countering the Islamophobia Industry | Carter Center
• Digital Peacebuilders Guide — ConnexUs & Search for Common Ground
• Right To Be has officially shifted its Storytelling Platform to its new Hate and Hope Tracker, which includes new features to track hate during the 2024 US Election.
• ING videos and lesson plans designed to bring attention to the experiences and contributions of enslaved African Muslims beginning in the 16th century and African American Muslims in the early 20th century to ensure that their history is accurately represented in discussions on African American history.
• Constructing Solidarity Narratives in Challenging Times — in this new resource (also attached), we offer direction and ideas for nonprofit and movement partners to consider during moments of crisis with an emphasis on the current moment. Accompanying this resource — a podcast episode in our Solidarity Is This podcast series, featuring Shanelle Matthews, founder of RadComms and former Comms Director at M4BL.

Community & Self-Care

• Opinion | Train Yourself to Always Show Up — The New York Times | Rabbi Sharon Brous
• Self-Care for Bystanders Online Guide from Right To Be
• Cultures of Care — ELLIOT KUKLA | Othering and Belonging Institute | The current is tumultuous and often challenging to navigate. It seems fitting to reintroduce our Cultures of Care series, exploring the role of rest and grief in effecting systemic change.
• Are you catastrophizing? Here’s how to stop assuming the worst. | Vox
• A Spiritual Politics for Burnt-Out Christians | Sojourners
• 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)

Books

• Pluralism in Practice: Case Studies of Leadership | Edited by Elinor J. Pierce
• How to End Christian Nationalism, by Amanda Tyler is now available to pre-order wherever you buy your books. It’s the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it.
• Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood
• Welcoming The Stranger: Abrahamic Hospitality And Its Contemporary Implications | Edited By Ori Z Soltes And Rachel Stern

Reports

• Presumptively Antisemitic: Islamophobic Tropes in the Palestine–Israel Discourse — Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights
• Vertigo Variations: 2024 Narrative Predictions | See especially the Narrative Openings and Risks at the bottom of the page.
• Understanding Threats and Harassment to Local Officials | Bridging Divides Initiative
• Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric: What We Can Do — Western States Center
• SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund) new report: “Virtually Vulnerable: Exposing the Human Cost of Digital Harassment.”
• Reckoning with Sustainability: Black Leaders Reflect on 2020, the Funding Cliff and Organizing Infrastructure, is now available for download. This report captures insights from more than 50 Black movement leaders.
• The Global VHP’s Trail of Violence, focuses on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A), which is arguably the epicenter of the Hindu supremacist movement in the US and which seeks to mask its hateful agenda and disturbing affiliations by presenting itself as an innocuous religious and cultural organization for Hindu Americans. However, as the report highlights, the VHP-A (which was founded in 1970 by Hindu supremacist leaders from India) maintains close linkages not only with extremist hate politics and violence in India, but with the American far-right as well — including several actors which have been designated as anti-Muslim hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Event Recordings/Videos

• The latest episode of Interfaith America’s United We Build series follows student, poet, potter, painter, and devout Muslim Sasa Akil, who was raised in her grandmother’s Christian home. They traveled to the DMV to spend time with Sasa as she organized an interfaith, inter-generational open mic at the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival last summer.
• “Preaching Jesus with Interfaith Sensitivity” God’s Law in Lenten Texts: Romans 4, Exodus 20, and Jeremiah 31 (vimeo.com) This recording can also be accessed along with the 3 previous webinars in this series via https://lstc.edu/academics/ccme/activities/.
• Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D. — Interfaith Lecture Series | CHQ Assembly 2023 The Chautauqua Institution has made the full copy of Simran’s session available as part of the Interfaith Lecture Series recorded at their 2023 CHQ Assembly week themed “The State of Believing.” Preview below and full session here

Articles

• Race, Caste, and the Model Minority Myth — YES! Magazine Solutions Journalism
• Anti-Muslim versus Anti-Palestinian Bigotry — Islamic Networks Group (ING)
• Interfaith peacemakers cannot remain neutral on Gaza | America Magazine
• Lawmakers Call Out Major U.S. Banks For Discriminating Against Muslim Americans
• Making it personal: Considering an issue’s relevance to your own life could help reduce political polarization Changing the ‘psychological distance’ someone feels toward an issue can shift their attitudes in ways that might help people on opposite sides of an issue see more eye to eye. By Rebecca Dyer and Keelah Williams for The Conversation
• Scriptural Reasoning on Rikers Island | Interfaith Center of New York Substack
• From church to the mosque, faith and friends help Iowa’s African immigrants and refugees build a sense of home
• When it comes to defusing Hindu-Muslim tensions, college kids may know best
• How a campus interfaith center fell to Florida’s anti-DEI legislation
• Beyond “Us vs. Them” | One America
• Walking the way of sorrows with Jews and Muslims | Jordan Denari Duffner

Podcasts

• Ep 197: Stop Calling It Microaggressions: A Call To Action To Intercept Subtle Acts Of Exclusion (with Dr. Tiffany Jana)
• Around the Table Dialogue with Nina Fernando | Around the Table is a community engaged research project and limited podcast series where we have inspiring conversations with community leaders from across Turtle Island about shared meals, dialogue, spirituality and social justice.
• The changing religious landscape of Black America | BJC Podcast | Sabrina and Dr. Anthony Pinn talk with Holly about misconceptions regarding religion in Black America as well as false impressions they encounter when working for religious freedom. Tune in for this open and honest discussion about the need to work across racial and religious lines to help all communities thrive.

Closing

Showing up for one another doesn’t require heroic gestures. It means training ourselves to approach, even when our instinct tells us to withdraw. It means picking up the phone and calling our friend or colleague who is suffering. It means going to the funeral and to the house of mourning. It also means going to the wedding and to the birthday dinner. Reach out in your strength, step forward in your vulnerability. Err on the side of presence. — Rabbi Sharon Brous

Opinion | Train Yourself to Always Show Up