"A Season For Nonviolence: Across Cultures & Faiths"

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• Imam Dr. Shamsi Ali is a prominent Indonesian Muslim Scholar known for promoting interfaith dialogues among Abrahamic Religions across The United States of America.  He is also The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The ASEAN Muslim Federation of North America. He also serves as The Vice President of the Asian-American Coalition USA (AAC-USA) and is its United Nations Representative and as an Advisory Board member to numerous interfaith organizations, including the Tanenbaum Centerand Federation for Middle East Peace. 

• In interfaith organizations, Imam Dr. Shamasi Ali serves as a Board member for the Partnership of Faith in NY, and as co-founder of the Universal Clergy Coalition-International (UNCC) ).  Furthermore, he is also Assistant Director and a Board member of the Muslim Foundation of America, Inc., and the former Chairman of the annual Muslim Day Parade in NYC.    Imam Dr. Shamsi Ali is the Founder & President of The Nusantara Foundation and the Director of Jamaica Muslim Center in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. 

• He has authored four books: Dai muda di New York City (A Young Dai in New York City) The True Love in America; 29 Kisah Mualaf Amerika (The True Love in America: 29 stories of Muallaf in America), Menebar Damai di Bumi Barat (Spreading Peace in Western World).

• Imam Dr. Shamasi Ali  is also one of 100 recipients of the 2009 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. This prestigious non military gold medal is one of the highest awards recognized by the U.S. government to native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens with tremendous contributions to the American society and the world and it was due to his endless dedication in building bridges between religious communities.

• Brahma Kumaris Sabita Geer is The United Nations Representative of the Brahma Kumaris (BK).  Using peace-building methods in 110 countries, the Brahma Kumaris actively supports The United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• The work of Brahma Kumaris is based on understanding that there is a connection among awareness, attitude, vision, action, and the world.  All real change, whether big or small, begins with a change in awareness. This change in awareness is facilitated by the practice of yoga and spirituality.  

• Sabita Geer is a practicing student and teacher of the art of yoga for the past 40 years.  Her work is based on the understanding that change begins with a shift in awareness, and she facilitates real changes by a spiritual-based approach called Raja Yoga.  

• She has conducted courses, facilitated workshops and retreats in the Caribbean, United Kingdom, India, The Middle East, and in many states across the United States of America.

• Regarding The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Sabita Geer initiates and mentors youth, women, and men, in many projects.  

• She also has a background in Physics and Mathematics and has been a representative of the Brahma Kumaris in the United States of America for over 20 years.

• Reverend Nicolle D. Harris currently serves as Pastor of Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Schenectady, NY, and as President of the Schenectady Branch of the NAACP. 

• While at Drew University, she did her internship at The Church Center for the United Nations in New York City, under the tutelage of Reverend  Dionne Boissiere the first African-American Chaplain to the United Nations, and traveled to South Africa as part of her cross-cultural studies.

• Reverend Harris was elected to the Asbury Park Board of Education in 2013 and served for 3 years, including a stint as both President and Vice President. In May 2016, the late Bishop Louis Hunter Sr. ordained her as an Itinerant Deacon.

• Affectionately known as Pastor Nikki, she grew up in Asbury Park, NJ, and is the only child of Deacon Daniel A Harris III & Emily Harris.  Following high school, she went on to attend Delaware State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with a minor in Theater. 

• She finished writing her first stage play, a Gospel Musical titled “In the Final Hour,” which was staged at Newark Symphony Hall, in New Jersey, November 2006.

• Reverend Harris is a graduate of The Theological School at Drew University, where she earned her Master of Divinity Degree.  Presently she is enrolled at United Theological School for her doctoral degree.

• Rabbi Marc Kline has been active in Justice and Interfaith work locally, regionally, and globally.  He is co-founder of New Jersey Interfaith Alliance, Chair of Interfaith Activities for Heart of New Jersey Jewish Federation and led two interfaith clergy trips to Israel. He serves as an advisor to Muslims 4 Peace, helped end male/female separation in Kiwanis Youth in high school, and co-planned and led a march to remove the Confederate flag from Columbia, South Carolina’s Statehouse.

•  Marc Kline retired his law license to go to Rabbinical School and now serves as Rabbi at Monmouth Reform Temple. He was an adjunct instructor of pastoral care and multi-faith worship at Lexington Theological Seminary; served as the lead consultant with Crestwood Christian Church, was co-creator of the Lay Chaplaincy Team for the Lexington, Kentucky and Red Bank, New Jersey Police Departments; chaired The Chaplaincy Advisory Board of St. Joseph/Kentucky One Health Hospital in Lexington and also volunteers as Chaplain for the Hackensack Meridian Hospital System’s four Central NJ hospitals. 

•  His primary focus as a Rabbi has  roots in a several thousand-year-old precept command to stand up for one’s self, while at the same time standing up for all others in need.  As he sees it, community building is Torah’s primary goal and he works to bridge chasms that alienate people from each other, in that role servinon many local, regional, and national boards.

• Dr. Nori Rost serves as Leader of The New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) in Manhattan, New York, which was founded over 145 years ago, as a secular religion dedicated to helping people learn how to live ethically and do acts of justice and mercy.  She has been a vigorous advocate for justice and equality since her very first activist experience at the age of just 17 years old marching in a Take Back the Night rally in Topeka, Kansa.  

• For 13 years, Dr. Rost was The Minister of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While living in Colorado, Dr. Nori Rost was awarded The NAACP Religious Ally Award from the branch of The NACCP in Colorado Springs, Colorado,   Before that she was a Minister with Metropolitan Community Church, served on The Board of Ordained Ministries, and was a passionate voice for the marginalized LGBTQA+ communities.  

• In 2017, Dr. Nori Rost won The Indy Award for her work with the LGTBQIA+ community and the following year she won The Legacy Indy Award, which recognized her life-long work in this field.  She also served on The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Interfaith Leaders Coalition.  

•  In August of 2022, Dr. Rost became The Leader of The New York Society for Ethical Culture, which helped in the founding of The Visiting Nurses Program in New York City, and also founded The Ethical Culture School, which began as a free school for the children of laborers. 

• Guruji H.H. Dileepkumar Thankappan at the United Nations is a Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Representative, Secretary of The Committee of Religious NGOs, and Vice President of The UN Staff Recreation Council Salus Well-Being Network. He is a Trustee on The Board of the All Faiths Seminary International and an advisor for many other NGOs. 

•  Internationally known as ‘Guru Dileepji,’ he is the Global Chairman of The World Yoga Community, and founder of The “International Day of Yoga” Global Movement.  He is a lifelong practitioner of yoga, natural healing, martial arts, and universal spirituality.  Guru Dileepjiwas born into an interfaith family in Kerala, India and represented Mahatma Gandhi University at the varsity level during college for arts & games competitions, and he was involved with National Cadet Corps (N.C.C) and led numerous national training camps. 

•  Over 50 years he’s been practicing selfless service for organizations including Gandhi Peace Foundation, The Total Literacy Program in Kerala, as well as organizing conferences, festivals worldwide and many other events.  He’s a Monk, Ordained Interfaith Minister/Wedding Officiant, Dancer, Spiritual Guru, Yoga Teacher/Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Bhajan Singer, Musician, Sportsman, Peace Ambassador, Environmentalist, a promoter of Nonviolence and Sustainable Development Goals, and much more!  He has received numerous titles and awards for his many humanitarian activities.

www.guruji.us

• Reverend Dr. Terry Troia is actively involved in racial, economic and social justice work related to health, housing and educational equity, LGBT inclusion, immigrants’ rights and the right to shelter, and is the Minister of the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park.

• She serves by appointment to the Governor’s Clergy Council, the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council, the NYC Council Gun Violence Task Force, The Richmond County District Attorney Hate Crimes Task Force, New York State Interfaith Immigration Network, NYC HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, NYPD Training Advisory Committee, NYPD SI Borough Command Immigrant Task Force and NYC Supportive Housing Task Force.  

•  Reverend Dr. Troia is President and CEO of Project Hospitality, an interfaith effort providing emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing & services to hungry and homeless New Yorkers, where she has worked for the last 35 years.  

•  In November 2019, The Mayor of The City Of New York appointed The Reverend Terry Troia to The City Commission on Human Rights,to strengthen the commitment to dignity and respect for all.  

• Reverend Dr. Troia also serves on Board Of Directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, New World Prep Charter School, Coordinated Behavioral Health and Homeless Services United.

• Minister Kerwin Webb is the Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at Second Baptist Churchof Asbury Park and is President of the Greater Red Bank Area NAACP. Pastor Webb believes that actions speak louder than words and is committed to being the change he wants to see in the world.

•  He serves as an Education Specialist for Interfaith Neighbors, is a Coalition Liaison with New Jersey Social Justice Remembrance Coalition, a Board Member of The T. Thomas Fortune Foundation & Cultural Center and a Sacred Sector Fellow of The Center for Public Justice.  Minister Webb’s desired outcome is transformation and change that will come through collaborative efforts of individuals, community organizations, and the faith community.  

•  A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Kerwin Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alabama State Universityand a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Pastor Webb has adopted a motto of “empowerment through education and success through personal accountability.” Minister Kewin Webb’s passions include education, mentoring, training, and community development and that led him to create the non-profit organization, Renew My World (RMW) Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to “FEED, EDUCATE and EMPOWER.” 

www.kerwinwebb.com