The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) is a

secular Secularity, also the secular or secularness (from Latin ''saeculum'', "worldly" or "of a generation"), is the state of being unrelated or neutral in regards to religion. Anything that does not have an explicit reference to religion, either negativ ...

educational

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

organization founded in 1997 by the Very Reverend

James Parks Morton James Parks Morton (January 7, 1930 – January 4, 2020) was an American Episcopal priest and founder of the Interfaith Center of New York. Cathedral of St. John the Divine Morton was dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for 25 y ...

. ICNY programs work to connect religious leaders and their communities with civil organizations and each other.

Founding

The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) was founded in 1997 by the Very Reverend

after his retirement from 25 years as Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. According to its certificate of incorporation, ICNY was organized "for the purpose of promoting interfaith dialogue and harmony among all of the world's religions and the prevention and resolution of conflicts arising there from." The idea to found the center arose out of the increasing religious diversity Rev. Morton saw in New York City, and his desire to utilize the network of religious leaders he had cultivated during his tenure at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Programs

* Education Programs focus on increasing knowledge and understanding about the religious diversity present in New York. Programs include workshops, panel discussions, and forums for teachers and students in various educational settings. The

National Endowment for the Humanities The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency of the U.S. government, established by thNational Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965(), dedicated to supporting research, education, preserv ...

sponsors a summer institute for K-12 teachers calle
Religious Worlds of New York
* Domestic Violence Training Programs work with religious leaders to educate and train them about domestic violence resources. Domestic violence programs are co-sponsored b
CONNECT
* Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice is a two-day retreat convened for religious leaders on a specific topic. The retreat aims to provide indepth and specialized information for community leaders on topics that are relevant and helpful to them. Pas retreat topics have included: confronting hate crimes, religious freedom in bricks and mortar, and economic resilience in faith communities. * Civic Connections offers forums, workshops, and collaborative projects regarding civic topics or institutions. ICNY collaborates with the

New York Legal Assistance Group The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized a ...

(NYLAG) to offer pro bono legal assistance to NYC residents. * Muslim - Catholic Initiative is a partnership with

Catholic Charities The Catholic Church operates numerous charitable organizations. Catholic spiritual teaching includes spreading the Gospel, while Catholic social teaching emphasises support for the sick, the poor and the afflicted through the corporal and spi ...

and the

Archdiocese of New York The Archdiocese of New York ( la, Archidiœcesis Neo-Eboracensis) is an ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church ( particularly the Roman Catholic or Latin Church) located in the State of New York. It encompasses the boroug ...

that unites Catholic and Muslim communities together for dialogue and mutually beneficial projects. * Prepare New York is a coalition of New York-based interfaith organizations that organize Coffee Hour Conversations to encourage dialogue and understanding of religious pluralism surrounding the effects September 11, 2011 on residents of New York City. The coalition includes: the Interfaith Center of New York, Auburn Seminary and its Center for Multifaith Education, Intersections International, Odyssey Networks, Quest, and the Tanenbaum Center and its Religion and Diversity Education Program. September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and 9/11 Communities for Common Ground serve as advisers to the coalition. * International Visiting Fellows Sister Cities Program is a three-year sister city program which aims to enrich the interfaith work and networks within each of the participating cities: New York City,

Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...

, and

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

. Delegates from the participating cities share best-practices in the area of interfaith work and civic participation.

James Parks Morton Interfaith Award

The

Interfaith Award, named in honor of The Interfaith Center of New York’s founder, recognizes individuals or organizations that exemplify an outstanding commitment to promoting human development and peace. Recipients are honored for their lifetime achievements and contributions towards increasing respect and mutual understanding among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and cultural traditions. The Award is given at an annual gala fundraiser. Ruth Westheimer (10877)

Events

The Interfaith Center organizes and co-sponsors many interfaith events throughout New York City. * Lantern lighting ceremony in honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

References

External links

Official website

Prepare New York website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Interfaith Center of New York Educational institutions established in 1997 Interfaith organizations 1997 establishments in New York City Educational institutions in the United States Organizations established in 1997 Non-profit organizations based in the United States