Silicon Valley FACES

SV FACES has continued the history of over 35 years of enabling groups of religious leaders to meet together for dialogue, mutual understanding, and community relationship-building.

Growing out of a Jewish/Christian dialogue first begun in 1972, the Interfaith Leaders Dialogue group has broadened its focus and involvement as the religious diversity of the Santa Clara Valley has changed. Participants in the dialogues have included Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians (Catholic, Protestant, and Mormon), Gnostics, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and many others.

Members of the group take turns hosting the gathering at their own religious community, and the discussions may include learning about one another's traditions, focusing on issues of community concern, or exploring common issues of religious leadership in our time and location.

From the group a number of interfaith initiatives have developed, including the South Bay Interfaith group that has sponsored a public interfaith gathering in downtown San Jose in the Fall to mark the convergence of several significant religious holidays.

After centuries of conflict and mistrust between the Roman Catholic Church and the Jewish community, the Vatican II Council issued a proclamation, Nostrae Aetate, that called for reconciliation and transformed relations between Jews and Catholics. The SV FACES Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue regularly brings together Rabbis, Priests, and other leaders, including the Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose.

The format for Catholic Jewish Conversations is a kickoff from both traditions’ historical and scriptural perspectives, followed by a lively discussion about timeless and contemporary issues to which they lead, and general fellowship.

Topics have included discussion of Mel Gibson's film The Passon of the Christ, religious leadership in a multicultural context, Jesus and Elijah in their religious contexts, Nostrae Aetate- 40 years later, Lebanon and Israel, and the boundaries of interreligious criticism.

In the summer of 2004 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA took action regarding possible divestment in companies doing business with Israel. Relationships between Presbyterians and Jews and their organizations were seriously strained; ironically, they had previously been allies in seeking social justice.

Recognizing that prior relationships on the local level between Jews and Presbyterians provided a foundation for discussion, a group of Jewish and Presbyterian leaders came together for dialogue concerning the issue in the South San Francisco Bay Area, with facilitation from Silicon Valley FACES.

Our intention was to find points of mutual understanding, to seek eventual resolution of our differences, to further mutual problem solving, and to see if this could influence a corresponding thaw in regional and national relationships from a "ground up" direction.

<<Programs

Interfaith Leaders Dialogue

Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue

Presbyterian/ Jewish Dialogue

South Bay Interfaith

Interfaith Calendar and Other Services

Why We're Involved in Religion

More Information

Growing out of SV FACES' Interfaith Dialogues in the South Bay Area and the warm reception the business and civic community gave Interfaith prayers at an SV FACES Gala, a group of faith leaders joined together to bring the joy of community-wide interfaith celebration to the public. SV FACES sponsors this community gathering of religious leaders (clerical and lay leadership and very involved congregants) for the purpose of demonstrating that our diverse religious community can celebrate together in harmony. SBIF is dedicated to the proposition that people of good will can and do get along well together by engendering respect and a channel for the people to become involved with their community.

Membership is open to active faith based educational, community, and religious leaders and their organizations; events are open to the general public. To join contact SBIF at southbayinterfaith@yahoo.com

Interfaith blessing at 2006 Gala. Rev. Jerry Sakamoto (Buddhist), Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy (Jewish), Bishop Patrick McGrath (Roman Catholic).

SV FACES offers a number of other resources for schools, businesses, government agencies or other groups seeking to be sensitive to interfaith issues.

The Interfaith Calendar lists dates of holidays for most religious traditions in the Bay Area with descriptions of the holidays, notes on applicable work, schedule or dietary restrictions; and notes on how to navigate religious observances between religions.

Also available are guides for school administrators and teachers regarding ways to handle religious issues in schools.

We also offer Crisis intervention in matters of school or community conflict over freedom of religion and respect for religious diversity. Contact us.

SV FACES is a non-religious human relations organization. Our prevention and intervention work is targeted toward flashpoints for inter-group conflict of all kinds, which of necessity must include religious intolerance.

We know that religion can serve as either a major source of cultural misunderstanding and conflict or as the greatest humanizing element bridging our differences. SV FACES works hard toward the latter.

We have a long history of successful inter-religious work. We were born as part of the movement originally called “The National Conference of Christians & Jews,” whose purpose was to teach tolerance to Americans. Very early it was realized that the roots of religious bigotry were the same as those for every other form of intolerance. Since the tools for preventing or ameliorating one were the same as for the others, our organizational founders became pioneers in interfaith dialogue.

SV FACES in the San Francisco Bay Area has initiated and cultivated interfaith dialogues for 35 years. We have grown relationships between leaders of many faiths, so that they can spread mutual understanding and are prepared to stand together against intolerance, hate incidents, and exclusion of any group.

Our efforts mirror the intention of the First Amendment to the US Constitution: the dual purposes of ensuring freedom to practice one’s faith (or none at all), while at the same time ensuring that the community does not dictate what you believe, nor excludes anyone by virtue of their faith.

For more information about Interfaith Dialogues:

Contact Rev. Bruce Bramlett, 408-286-9663, ext. 330, e-mail: bbramlett@svfaces.org


	Interfaith Dialogues SV FACES has continued the history of over 35 years of enabling groups of religious leaders to meet together for dialogue, mutual understanding, and community relationship-building. Why We're Involved with Religion Intefaith Leaders Dialogue Growing out of a Jewish/Christian dialogue first begun in 1972, the Interfaith Leaders Dialogue group has broadened its focus and involvement as the religious diversity of the Santa Clara Valley has changed. Participants in the dialogues have included Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians (Catholic, Protestant, and Mormon), Gnostics, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and many others. Members of the group take turns hosting the gathering at their own religious community, and the discussions may include learning about one another's traditions, focusing on issues of community concern, or exploring common issues of religious leadership in our time and location. From the group a number of interfaith initiatives have developed, including the South Bay Interfaith group that has sponsored a public interfaith gathering in downtown San Jose in the Fall to mark the convergence of several significant religious holidays. General membership is for clergy and religious leaders, with occasional programs open more broadly to the faith community. To join the program, contact us. top > Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue After centuries of conflict and mistrust between the Roman Catholic Church and the Jewish community, the Vatican II Council issued a proclamation, Nostrae Aetate, that called for reconciliation and transformed relations between Jews and Catholics. The SV FACES Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue regularly brings together Rabbis, Priests, and other leaders, including the Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose. The format for Catholic Jewish Conversations is a kickoff from both traditions’ historical and scriptural perspectives, followed by a lively discussion about timeless and contemporary issues to which they lead, and general fellowship. Topics have included discussion of Mel Gibson's film The Passon of the Christ, religious leadership in a multicultural context, Jesus and Elijah in their religious contexts, Nostrae Aetate- 40 years later, Lebanon and Israel, and the boundaries of interreligious criticism. Membership is for Catholic priests and Religious and Rabbis and key Jewish lay leaders. To inquire about joining the program, contact us. top > Presbyterian/ Jewish Dialogue In the summer of 2004 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA took action regarding possible divestment in companies doing business with Israel. Relationships between Presbyterians and Jews and their organizations were seriously strained; ironically, they had previously been allies in seeking social justice. Recognizing that prior relationships on the local level between Jews and Presbyterians provided a foundation for discussion, a group of Jewish and Presbyterian leaders came together for dialogue concerning the issue in the South San Francisco Bay Area, with facilitation from Silicon Valley FACES. Our intention was to find points of mutual understanding, to seek eventual resolution of our differences, to further mutual problem solving, and to see if this could influence a corresponding thaw in regional and national relationships from a "ground up" direction. Membership is for Presbyterian clergy and lay leaders, Rabbis and lay Jewish religious and community leaders. To inquire about joining the program, contact us. top > <<Programs Interfaith Leaders Dialogue Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue Presbyterian/ Jewish Dialogue South Bay Interfaith Interfaith Calendar and Other Services Why We're Involved in Religion More Information South Bay Interfaith Growing out of SV FACES' Interfaith Dialogues in the South Bay Area and the warm reception the business and civic community gave Interfaith prayers at an SV FACES Gala, a group of faith leaders joined together to bring the joy of community-wide interfaith celebration to the public. SV FACES sponsors this community gathering of religious leaders (clerical and lay leadership and very involved congregants) for the purpose of demonstrating that our diverse religious community can celebrate together in harmony. SBIF is dedicated to the proposition that people of good will can and do get along well together by engendering respect and a channel for the people to become involved with their community. Third Annual Interfaith Gathering: celebration of the religious richness of the Silicon Valley! SouthBay Interfaith website SBIF mail list: Simply send a message to: SBInterfaith-subscribe@topica.com Membership is open to active faith based educational, community, and religious leaders and their organizations; events are open to the general public. To join contact SBIF at southbayinterfaith@yahoo.com Interfaith blessing at 2006 Gala. Rev. Jerry Sakamoto (Buddhist), Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy (Jewish), Bishop Patrick McGrath (Roman Catholic). top > Interfaith Calendar and Other Services for Schools and Business SV FACES offers a number of other resources for schools, businesses, government agencies or other groups seeking to be sensitive to interfaith issues. The Interfaith Calendar lists dates of holidays for most religious traditions in the Bay Area with descriptions of the holidays, notes on applicable work, schedule or dietary restrictions; and notes on how to navigate religious observances between religions. Also available are guides for school administrators and teachers regarding ways to handle religious issues in schools. Download current Interfaith Calendar (pdf) Download Guidelines for Superintendents and Principals (pdf) Download Guidelines for Teachers (pdf) We also offer Crisis intervention in matters of school or community conflict over freedom of religion and respect for religious diversity. Contact us. top > Why We’re Involved with Religion SV FACES is a non-religious human relations organization. Our prevention and intervention work is targeted toward flashpoints for inter-group conflict of all kinds, which of necessity must include religious intolerance. We know that religion can serve as either a major source of cultural misunderstanding and conflict or as the greatest humanizing element bridging our differences. SV FACES works hard toward the latter. We have a long history of successful inter-religious work. We were born as part of the movement originally called “The National Conference of Christians & Jews,” whose purpose was to teach tolerance to Americans. Very early it was realized that the roots of religious bigotry were the same as those for every other form of intolerance. Since the tools for preventing or ameliorating one were the same as for the others, our organizational founders became pioneers in interfaith dialogue. SV FACES in the San Francisco Bay Area has initiated and cultivated interfaith dialogues for 35 years. We have grown relationships between leaders of many faiths, so that they can spread mutual understanding and are prepared to stand together against intolerance, hate incidents, and exclusion of any group. Our efforts mirror the intention of the First Amendment to the US Constitution: the dual purposes of ensuring freedom to practice one’s faith (or none at all), while at the same time ensuring that the community does not dictate what you believe, nor excludes anyone by virtue of their faith. top > For more information about Interfaith Dialogues: Contact Rev. Bruce Bramlett, 408-286-9663, ext. 330, e-mail: bbramlett@svfaces.org
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