Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) builds interreligious harmony and understanding to promote a just and compassionate society in Silicon Valley.
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Response to the horrific shootings in Pittsburgh
I leave it to the Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian of URI, who provided a beautiful response to the devastating event in Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018. May peace be with all those affected and all of us who are trying to understand how this keeps happening… Rev. Joy-Ellen Lipsky, SiVIC Board Chair
Our hearts break with the news of the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA. We weep for the families and friends of the victims. And we stand in love and solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers in the face of this horrific act of anti-Semitic violence. The United Religions Initiative global community condemns this act of hate. In our Charter we state that “We value voices that respect others, and believe that sharing our values and wisdom can lead us to act for the good of all.” In a climate in which the violence of vitriolic and hate-filled speech is becoming normalized, acts of violence born of prejudice are the direct result of such dehumanizing rhetoric and the division that it creates. Today’s violence reminds us of the urgency of our work to confront prejudice and counter hate, as we create cultures of peace, justice and healing in our communities and in our world.
In peace…
The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian Jr.
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative
Join with the SF Interfaith Council and Presidio for the Bells of Peace on Nov. 11th 11am
Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice congregations from throughout our County are invited to join citizens and organizations across the nation to ring bells in their communities 21 times at 11:00 am local time on Sunday, November 11, 2018 in remembrance of when fighting ceased.
Peace be with us all!
UC Davis Investigating ‘reprehensible’ Anti-Semitic Posters Found on Campus
The Islamic Networks Group (ING) forwarded a link to SiVIC for an article in the LA Times regarding anti-Semitic flyers that went up at UC Davis. Some were also found at UC Berkeley. This type of hate speech is antithetical to everything that our Bay Area Interfaith groups stand for. We need to be vigilant and use our voices against such hate rhetoric.
SiVIC will always show our support for those religions that are the victims of hate speech and violence.
Here is the link to the LA Times article: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ucdavis-flyers-20181009-story.html