I was honored to present and moderate “The Same and Different: Supporting Muslim and Jewish Inmates,” an interreligious panel, on, 3 September 2023, hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Saratoga, California – San Francisco Bay Area). This was an in-person event that was also live-streamed and recorded. Here is the link for the recording, https://vimeo.com/event/3655244 (2 hours), plus the one page handout about the panel. This event was generously supported by a grant from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, through the GTU Madrasa-Midrasha Program. Here is the GTU announcement.
I was touched and thankful for the positive feedback about this event, notably this comment by the Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy‘s Chaplain Ra Amen, “The absolute best interreligious training on the topic. The synergism between the panelists and moderator was seamless. The questions and answers allow for a broad range of insights and experiences to be covered. Whether a novice or as one with years of experience, there was much to be gained from the discussion that will serve me well in future interreligious situation in jail or the general society. It was a model that could be use national in jail and prison ministry. I commend everyone involved in putting on this training.” Another comment from volunteer Chaplain Barbara Harriman was heartwarming, “The seminar today was amazing! Your panel was filled with compassionate scholars, including you! It was very impressive and informative. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you made the video accessible. I will share it with others.” I am grateful for the support.
Grateful thanks to the inspiring and excellent panel speakers:
- Imam Yilmaz Basak, Muslim Chaplain, Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy (CIC, Santa Clara County)
- Reverend Peggy Bryan, Jail Chaplain, & Interim Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church (Santa Cruz). Rev. Peggy founded the Stepping Stones Gathering for those in reentry and recovery.
- Reverend Liz Milner, Executive Director & Facility Chaplain, Correctional Center for Women, CIC (Santa Clara County)
- Sheikh Rami Nsour, Founding Director, Tayba Foundation (a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals and families impacted by incarceration, Fremont)
- Rabbi Paul Shleffar, Jewish Chaplain at San Quentin State Prison (Marin County)
- Moderator: Katy Dickinson, Founder, Mentoring Standard, Chaplain, CIC (Santa Clara County), & Doctoral Student, Berkeley School of Theology (Graduate Theological Union, GTU)
- Introducer, Reverend Joel Martinez, Jail Chaplain, & Curate, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Thank you as well to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped me put on this event. Especially Karen LeBlanc, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, and John Plocher.
Images Copyright (c) 2023 Katy Dickinson. Thanks to photographers, Karen LeBlanc, Joel Martinez, John Plocher, and Barbara Merrill. If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).
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