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October 2024 Resource Roundup

Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign
20 min readOct 2, 2024

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.

S2S Updates & Highlighted Resources

The S2S team has been busy this past month, traveling nationwide to provide workshops, present on panels, and participate in convenings. Here are just a few highlights:

Top left: S2S Executive Director Nina Fernando & S2S Director of Strategic Communications Rev. Cassandra Lawrence see friends Dr. Todd Green (Interfaith America), Hurunnessa Fariad (Multifaith Neighbors Network), and Petra Alsoofy (ISPU) at the convening on Combatting Antisemitism and Islamophobia with the National Conflict Resolution Center in San Diego on Sept. 23, where Cassandra presented on a panel: Practitioners on Community Partnerships and Civic Engagement (middle right photo). Top right: Nina Fernando leads a Faith Over Fear workshop for hundreds of students at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee on Sept. 4. Bottom left: Nina Fernando, along with S2S Operations and Local Partnerships Manager Becca Tyvoll, facilitated a workshop on the Challenges and Opportunities of Multifaith Coalition Building during the Muslims for Just Futures Convergence in Chicago on Sept. 26. Bottom middle and right: Cassandra attends the Interfaith Summit on Countering Hate in Montgomery, AL hosted by Interfaith Alliance and Southern Poverty Law Center, and presents on a panel with Sabrina Dent (BJC) and Lida Azim (America Indivisible) about Interfaith Organizing and Coalitions to Counter Hate.

Upcoming Important Dates

  • 2024 Religious Holidays Calendar from Encounter World Religions
  • October is Clergy Appreciation Month
  • October is National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month
  • Oct 2–4: Rosh Hashana
  • Oct 2: International Day of Nonviolence
  • Oct 3- 12: Maha Navatri
  • Oct 4: St Francis Feast Day
  • October 7: One year since the beginning of the Israel/Hamas War
  • Oct 9: Clergy Appreciation Day (Thank your religious leader for addressing anti-Muslim discrimination)
  • Oct 12: Yom Kippur
  • Oct 14: Indigenous Peoples Day
  • October 14: Wadee AlFayoumi Killed (2023)
  • Oct 16: Birth of the Bab and Baha’u’llah
  • Oct 17–23: Sukkot
  • Oct 24: Simchat Torah
  • October 27: Tree of Life Shooting
  • Oct 28: Make a Difference Day
  • Oct 31: Diwali

Events

  • Oct 2nd | Campaign Nonviolence Action Days | Pace e Bene
  • Oct 2 | Nonviolence 101: A Teach-In & Introduction | Pace e Bene
  • Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 | Virtual Interfaith Peacemaker Team Training with OMNIA
  • Oct 6, 7, 8 | Every Life, A Universe Gatherings | We invite you to join our international community online each day at 2:00 pm ET/9:00 pm Jerusalem Time. Through these three virtual gatherings, we seek to establish a unified ritual space to process grief, confront the systems of oppression that perpetuate immeasurable suffering, and reframe the crisis in Israel and Palestine by fostering a shared vision of reconciliation, justice, and collective actions to bring about peace. Nonviolence International, American Friends of Parents Circle Families Forum, and American Friends of Combatants for Peace will facilitate these three online events.
  • Oct 6 | Global Sunday of Mutual Flourishing | “We’re calling on all Christian ministers to join us in centering Mutual Flourishing this October 6…we will use our platforms and pulpits, our prayers and liturgies, our voices and instruments, to honor the victims of war, lament the indignity of violence, and plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom of justice, peace, and reconciliation.”
  • Oct 7 | One Year Later: Community Mourning and Action with T’ruah. “As we mark one year since October 7, 2023, many of us are sitting with a plethora of emotions: grief over the lives destroyed by Hamas on October 7, fear for the hostages still held captive, anger and remorse at how the Israeli government has treated Palestinian lives as disposable, anxiety about what the future looks like, and more. Join us for psalms, Torah, and to be in community as we mourn the Israeli and Palestinian lives lost.”
  • Oct 7 | Ecumenical Service of Lament | Join Churches for Middle East Peace at 2:00 PM EST on October 7th, for a communal space of worship, lament, and prayer. This service will be virtual.
  • Oct 7 | Take Heart Now | Special Online Conversation with NewGround’s Aziz Hasan and Andrea Hodos on finding Personal Centering and Compassion following Oct. 7 tragedies in Israel and Gaza. Hosted by The Guibord Center.
  • Oct 8 | Rising Above Political Violence: Election Season Scenarios — Messaging for Election Day and Beyond. This series with OverZero will cover how leaders can respond to risks for political violence throughout the election season with communication strategies that empower communities to not only reject political violence, but to also rise above it. During this session, we will discuss responses to scenarios that may occur on Election Day and beyond, such as disputed results and related risks for violence.
  • Oct 8 | Democracy in the Balance webinar with Interfaith Alliance: What’s at stake in 2024? What is Christian nationalism? How are we seeing Christian nationalist messaging in this year’s election narratives? How can we flip the script and advocate as faith voices on the issues that matter? How can we show up for democracy in these final weeks of the election season?
  • Oct 10 | Listening and Sharing Session with Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom: These sessions provide a supportive and inclusive space for you to share your experiences, insights, and perspectives. Whether you’re looking to connect with others, learn from diverse viewpoints, or simply find a space to be heard, these sessions are for you.
  • Oct 10 | Embracing the Unity of Christ in the Midst of Disagreement | Participants will learn a new way of seeing, listening, and speaking across difference while engaging the practice of lament and the virtue of hope. This workshop is part of a series with Church World Service — Building Bridges in a Polarized Nation: Coming Together to Care for Newcomers.
  • Oct 10 in Minneapolis | Join Interfaith at Augsburg for an Interactive Conversation: Muslim and Christian Ethics of Care | Contact interfaith@augsburg.edu for more details.
  • Oct 11 | Race in the 2024 Election | Join the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative at Brookings for a webinar where panelists will discuss the implications of these racial tropes for the 2024 elections and the state of American democracy more broadly.
  • Oct 12 | Building Peace through Laughter, Play, and Relaxation | Pace e Bene
  • Oct 12 in LA | Ballots Against Bias: Countering Anti-Muslim Hate Symposium with Muslim Public Affairs Council. For decades, Muslims have been the target of U.S. policies in the name of “national security.” This panel will explore how these unjust practices have contributed to widespread anti-Muslim sentiment and discuss paths to reform that align national security priorities with justice for all Americans. This discussion is critical to shaping policies that protect our communities while truly safeguarding national security.
  • Oct 13 | Countering Islamophobia | Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. “In this workshop, led by Aziz Abu Sarah and Dr. Marie Abu Sarah, we will explore the meaning of Islamophobia, providing historical context and examining how it manifests in the United States today. Participants will gain insight into common Islamophobic tropes and stereotypes, along with their impact on individuals and communities. Additionally, we will discuss actionable steps that can be taken to counter Islamophobia and promote understanding and acceptance in our society. This workshop aims to raise awareness and empower participants to become advocates for change. This workshop is open to everyone!”
  • Oct 13 | Religious & Cultural Literacy Workshop: Who Am I? Seeing Ourselves and Our Community Through a Religious Lens. Hosted by the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington in partnership with Miami University Interfaith Center.
  • Oct 15–18 | Christian Unity Gathering | National Council of Churches | Nashville
  • Oct 16 | Countering Christian Nationalism in Good Faith, hosted by Sojourners. In this online panel from Sojourners magazine, Christian nationalism experts and faith leaders will explore the hopeful actions that can counter this deadly set of beliefs. Panelists will explain what Christian nationalism is (and isn’t), offer examples of actions to help end it, and articulate a path forward that neither stifles the participation of people of faith in public life nor threatens a vibrant, democratic, and just future for all.
  • Oct 16 | How to Talk Bridge-y with PACE | Whether you’re a foundation representative, civic leader, educator, or concerned citizen, you will learn how to communicate more effectively across political differences by understanding the nuances and impacts of civic language, ultimately enhancing your ability to engage diverse audiences. Register now and learn how to “talk bridgey” in the wake of the 2024 election. The resource will also become available on October 16 at the Civic Language Perception Project landing page.
  • Oct 17 | Public Intro to Story-based Strategy (SBS) Training | Introductory Training to SBS, is for anyone who is interested in or already changing stories and narratives through organizing. This interactive session is designed to provide critical tools for narrative analysis and creative interventions, enhancing the capacity for radical imagination and community-driven change.
  • Oct 17 in DC | Revolutionary Love Tour with Valarie Kaur & Friends | Join us for an evening of courage, humanity, and love with Valarie Kaur and her guests as part of her Revolutionary Love Bus Tour. See all tour dates and locations here.
  • Oct 24 | Healing Centered Leadership and Election Event: Leading with Love — Voting for a Healed Future. “Calling all community-building, divide-bridging, justice-pursuing, and healing-centered leaders to be grounded, equipped, and connected, and to lead with love. Welcome to our virtual event where we believe that love can shape a better future for all. Ahead of the election, join us for inspiring discussions led by Auburn Seminary’s President, Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson with Auburn’s emerging leaders to talk about the healed future we want.”
  • Oct 25 | Open House for Spiritual Literacy Certificates Program | Register for this free virtual open house to learn more about the Spiritual Literacy Certificates Program with Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys.
  • Oct 27 in Sacramento, CA | 2024 National Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Conference, West Coast — Building Peace: Piece by Piece. Open to all faiths and genders. Join us for a day dedicated to networking, meeting friends, developing new skills, learning from renowned experts, and doing your part in creating a just, peaceful, and inclusive world. Nina Fernando, S2S Executive Director, will lead a workshop on the Faith-Rooted Primer to Understand & Address Bigotry In the U.S. Amid the Violence in Israel-Palestine.
  • Oct 28, Nov 18 | NewGround Book Club 2024 | The first talk will be with Stephanie Saldaña, author of What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry. This conversation will be available to attend both in-person and virtually via Zoom — RSVP here.
  • Oct 30 | How Do We Find The Words? Interfaith Engagement in Troubling Times, hosted by CCME at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Moderated by Nina Fernando, Executive Director of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign. American Jews and Muslims come together to discuss the moral responsibility of (inter)faith leaders in addressing the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine. The conversation will center on the deep trauma experienced by many, both historically and in the present, in light of the dehumanizing Anti-Muslim and Anti-Semitic rhetoric in the U.S. The panel will explore the essential role people of faith, particularly within Abrahamic traditions, play in combating hate and discrimination.
  • Nov 14 in Minneapolis | Minnesota Multifaith Network’s 5th Annual Conference, A Call for Justice and Healing: The Role of the Multifaith Community in Minnesota in Times of Division, Distrust, & Trauma.
  • Nov 16–22 | Islamic Art Week 2024 | The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) invites the community to embrace a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Islamic art, which has inspired countless individuals and whole civilizations for centuries. This event will promote an open and inclusive environment where Muslims and non-Muslims can come together to foster mutual understanding and respect. Join us in celebrating a culture of beauty, compassion, and shared humanity, as we work together to build bridges and create lasting connections.
  • Nov 17 in New Brunswick, NJ | 2024 National Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Conference, East Coast — More information coming soon.
  • Nov 19, Feb 19, March 5 | Humanizing Palestine Lecture Series, hosted by the Center for Security, Race, and Rights.
  • 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

Jobs

  • Muslim Student Association West (MSA West) is hiring an Executive Director to lead efforts in supporting Muslim students across California. We are looking for a dedicated professional with experience in management, strategic planning, fundraising, and community partnerships; community organizing and/or youth development is a plus. Learn more and apply here.
  • To respond to the ongoing and growing civil rights needs of the Georgia Muslim community, CAIR-Georgia seeks to hire a Senior Staff Attorney or a Managing Attorney (depending on experience) with a demonstrated commitment to and interest in public interest advocacy and serving diverse communities. Learn more and apply here.
  • The Family & Youth Institute is hiring for multiple positions, including Development Intern, Executive Director, Content Developer, and Community Outreach Officer. Learn more about these opportunities and apply here.
  • Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is hiring a Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. Learn more about the position here.
  • CAIR-NY is hiring a New York-based Community Program Organizer. They are accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled, so candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP! The job posting is linked here: Staff positions open — CAIR New York (cair-ny.org)

Fellowships

  • 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.
  • Voqal Partners 2025 Fellowship Applications now open through October 31! The Fellowship is an opportunity for community leaders and organizers to enact their vision at center stage, visions that are often considered too risky or too radical by others. Voqal Partners seeks social justice-oriented thinkers, doers, and believers who have an idea for a new way to organize communities and bring about equitable social change. Info sessions offered on September 18 and October 16.
  • Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy — Applications are now open for the 2024–2025 Leadership Academy, due by Oct 25. This fellowship gives diverse religious leaders in New York the tools they need to make a difference | Interfaith Center of New York
  • Charity & Security Network (C&SN) is hiring for the Brembeck Fellowship, an early career fellowship focused on promoting fair opportunities for aspiring young professionals to continue building practical skills in the field of international peace and security. Find the full position description, including objectives and duties, qualifications, benefits, salary, and how to apply here. Applications are due by Friday, October 25 at 11:59 PM ET.

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
  • The Faith & Health Campus Grants create opportunities for cross-disciplinary teams to embed interfaith competency in a range of health-related curricula, build sustainable partnerships with community organizations, and strengthen academic and public understanding about religion as a social determinant of health. Proposals should include a two-year budget of up to $60,000 to support capacity and time, project activity expenses, and (if appropriate) support for community partners. Applications are now open. Learn more online and submit your application before the Nov. 1 deadline.
  • Gateways for Growth (G4G): ​​a competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities.
  • Senator James Abourezk Public Affairs Scholarship | Created in tribute to Senator Abourezk’s invaluable contributions and extraordinary vision that led to the formation of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), this annual scholarship seeks to empower the next generation of leaders in the areas of political science and public policy. The scholarship will be awarded to an Arab American student — either at the graduate or undergraduate level — who demonstrates a deep commitment to these fields of study.

Calls to Action

  • Stand with Wadee Against All Hate: Take Action for the Wadee Resolution to pass in the House (H.R. 99) | “Hate crimes against Palestinians and Muslim communities are on the rise. We need your voice to demand action. The brutal murder of Wadee AlFayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian Muslim American, was fueled by a toxic climate. He was the first victim in the U.S. following October 2023. The attack on Hesham Awartani, a college student shot while wearing a keffiyeh, additionally highlights the ongoing targeting of Palestinian and Muslim identity.” The Wadee Resolution (S.R. 589) has passed the Senate, and now needs to pass in the House (H.R. 99).
  • ACLU coordinated letter with over 120 groups opposing the inclusion of H.R. 9495 in H.R. 6408 | The diverse group expressed deep concerns about the bill’s potential to grant the executive branch extraordinary power to investigate, harass, and effectively dismantle any nonprofit organization — including news outlets, universities, and civil liberties organizations like ours — of tax-exempt status based on a unilateral accusation of wrongdoing. Additional framing and sign-on opportunity from CAIR.
  • 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. Organization sign-on here.
  • Muslim Advocates celebrates the reintroduction of the “NO BAN” Act | Here’s the endorsement form: https://forms.gle/r8o2UecqLE1cWAvg6
  • Revolutionary Love Bus Tour 2024–2025 | Join us for a transformative event series across the United States igniting people to rise up in love and courage. Starting this fall, in the thick of a divisive election season, the Revolutionary Love Bus will travel across the country to energize hearts, build community bonds, and ignite courageous action rooted in love. Led by visionary civil rights leader Valarie Kaur, the tour uplifts stories and wisdom that empower us to play our role in this moment in history. Each event is free and open to all.
  • Stories of Connection Across Difference for the 2024 Election Season: An Intentional Op-Ed Strategy Guided by Interfaith America and New Pluralists | Despite what we read in daily headlines, research shows that we are not as divided as we may seem. This election cycle, the New Pluralists network along with Interfaith America aim to tell a different story through an intentional op-ed strategy that will counter the media’s message of inevitable division.
  • All We Share | In a world divided, we stand united in celebrating the unique diversity that defines us. Together, we can transform what divides us into what binds us.
  • Where Are You Really From? A National Sikh School Climate Report | In pursuit of fostering safe and inclusive schools for all, Where Are You Really From? sheds light on the bullying faced by students who are visibly Sikh or identify with Sikhi — and what policy-makers, educators, and parents can do to help. Make a contribution today, and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000!
  • Christian Faith & Democracy Statement | “We are American Christians who deeply love our country. We affirm the right of Christians to bring our faith to bear on the public square for the common good and the flourishing of all humanity. We also welcome and affirm the rights of people of all faiths and of no religious faith to speak to this crisis; this document offers a distinctly Christian perspective, but the principles affirmed here are shared broadly across many religious and ethical traditions and by people of good will.”

Resources

Toolkits & Fact Sheets

Networks

  • National Network of Solitary Survivors | The NRCAT (National Religious Campaign Against Torture) National Network of Solitary Survivors is a landing point and community for survivors of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons, jails, and detention centers, that is providing peer support and collegiality to people who have faced isolated confinement first-hand. It is a network dedicated to being a safe place for individuals to share challenges and hopes. Survivors are supported in leveraging the wisdom of their past experiences to catalyze change, empower their own communities and families, and establish a sense of stability, hope for the future, and purpose after their incarceration.
  • TRUST Network: Building Trust Across Communities | The TRUST Network is a broad U.S. network designed to prevent violent conflict and build community cohesion. “We are a civic architecture and infrastructure that braids social justice, democracy, and legal and peace-building communities.”

Books

Reports

Event Recordings

Videos

Films

  • Finding Common Ground: Muslims and Jews Bridging the Gap | CBS Reports documentary, featuring NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. Los Angeles is home to one of the largest populations of Jews in the world, and one of the largest populations of Muslims in America. For almost two decades, a group there has been trying to build bonds between these two communities, but the attack of Oct. 7, 2023 and its aftermath are putting that mission to the test. CBS Reports and CBS News Race and Culture examine these challenges and explore how the next generation may hold the key to forging paths to unity amid adversity.
  • The Strike | This documentary offers a powerful look at the California prison system, the violence within, and the unity among prisoners that led to the end of long-term solitary confinement. The film is being screened nationwide and will air on PBS next year. If you or your organization would be interested in co-facilitating a screening or discussion, contact Michael Saavedra, National Coordinator, NRCAT National Network of Solitary Survivors
  • A Case For Love | Now available for rent. Our society is more divided than ever. Many have moved into tribal corners, seeing the world from an “us versus them” point of view. The teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, inspire A Case For Love. This feature-length documentary examines the question of whether or not love, specifically — unselfish — love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the world.
  • Leap of Faith | Inspiring and provocative, Leap Of Faith explores whether we can disagree and still belong to each other in a divided world. Only in theaters beginning Oct 4.

Articles

Podcasts

Closing:

“Peace is something that human beings long for, but it requires a shift in our imagination, a transformation of our understanding of what could be possible. Much of this reimagining happens collectively; it’s with others that we can often envision and create something new.” — Alicia Rynkowska, Community Peacemaker Teams

Islamophobia
Anti Semitism
Interfaith
Democracy
Peacebuilding

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Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign
Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign

Written by Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign

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Shoulder to Shoulder is a coalition of 36 religious denominations and organizations committed to standing with American Muslims to advance American ideals

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