Interfaith Matters

Interfaith Matters

By Interfaith Center of New YorkReligion & Spirituality
Download on the App Store

Interfaith Matters episodes

  • “When We Love and Serve, Our Differences Become Minor” - Robert and Vivian DeRosa on their Lives as Latter-day Saints

     


     



     


    Vivian and Robert DeRosa with host Maggi Van Dorn (right)


     


    In this latest episode of “Interfaith Matters," Maggi Van Dorn talks with Robert and Vivian DeRosa, leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as Mormons. Robert is president of the Lynbrook New York Stake (a geographic area similar to a diocese or parish) that includes Eastern Queens and Western Nassau, Long Island. Vivian is the leader of the young women's programs. 


     


    Some Highlights:


     


    On the origins of the word "Mormon": "It's a nickname people have given to us over time. It simply refers to the Book of Mormon and the person Mormon, who was the compiler and editor of 1,000 years' worth of history [that comprise the Book of Mormon]."


     


    On what attracted the DeRosas to the Mormon faith: "It answered so many questions that I had, and I realized this just feels like home. Families can be together forever... these relationships that we treasure so much in life continue."  


    35 min
  • “Sanctuary” - Dr. Diane Steinman on Responding to the Plight of Refugees and Undocumented Immigrants
    From the first week of President Trump’s administration, refugee and immigration issues have become a pressing moral concern for many Americans, with New York City taking center stage as demonstrations spring up everywhere and Mayor de Blasio upholds our status as a “Sanctuary City.”  Even before President Trump launched aggressive new policies targeting undocumented immigrants this week, the Washington Post reported that the number of houses of worship that have declared themselves sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants has doubled nationwide over the past year, while DNAInfo described local congregations signing on to shelter immigrants.  New Yorkers of faith are looking to their religious leaders for guidance, who in turn are gathering to share information and resources.  A lot is happening very quickly and people feel the need to understand not just the events themselves, but what they and their communities can do.   
    In this latest episode of the “Interfaith Matters” podcast series, Maggi Van Dorn responds to that need through a conversation with Dr. Diane Steinman, the Director of the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform. In this brief interview, Dr. Steinman offers listeners:
    A multi-faith appreciation of human value, that resonates with America’s foundational understanding of equality
    A history of the “Sanctuary City” movement, and the ways such policies have protected both undocumented immigrants and American citizens
    Immediate steps that faith leaders and communities can take to join the growing advocacy movement, including providing Sanctuary in houses of worship
    Have a question for Dr. Diane Steinman? Want to become connected to the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform? Leave a comment on your podcatcher or email us at [email protected].
     
    ___________________________________________________
     
    Special Invitation to New York City Religious and Civic Leaders
     
     
    As noted above, ICNY is holding a full-day conference for New York’s religious and civic leaders on April 5th, exploring the emerging challenges for religious leadership under the presidency of Donald Trump.  Please click here to register for Hospitality in a Time of Hate: Religious Leadership for an Inclusive City under the Trump Administration.  Participation is entirely free, thanks in part to a grant from the Fellowship in Prayer.
     
    ___________________________________________________
    28 min
  • "The S.P.I.C.E.S. of Life" - How Quakerism Taught Andy von Salis to Sit With Silence and Stand in Protest
    We're launching our new season with a podcast survey
    and a chance to win tickets to a new Broadway Musical!
     
    See below for details.
     
    Click here to take the survey and register for the
     chance to win a pair of tickets to IN TRANSIT
    or copy this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZHVLCN
    _________________________________________________________
     
     
    Andy von Salis and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn
     
    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Andy von Salis, a clerk (or presiding moderator) of the New York Religious Society of Friends, also known as "Quakers," on how the practice of silence and commitment to equality have guided Quakers as some of the most powerful peace and justice makers in American history and have personally empowered his own civil disobedience.
     
    On the Fundamental Belief of Quakerism: “There is that of God, an element of the divine, that is alive within each person.”
     
    The Quaker “SPICES” (Fundamental Values):
    Simplicity
    Peace
    Integrity
    Community
    Equality
    Service
     
    On Taking Oaths: “Quakers had always refused to take oaths right back to George Fox and often went to jail as a result." Quakers' commitment to Integrity impels them to affirm that they speak the truth always, and not differentiate statements under oath.
     
    How to visit a Quaker Meeting or Event:
    Quaker meetings for worship are held regularly and are open to everyone. There are six Quaker Meetings in New York City, each with its own website and calendar of events. Brooklyn Meeting, for example, offers worship twice every Sunday and Tuesday evenings at 6:30. The Quaker meetinghouse in Flushing (built 1694) is the oldest house of worship in continuous use in New York State.There are occasional public tours of the Quaker-owned cemetery located in the middle of Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
     
    We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.
     
    ______________________________________________________________________
     
    Take our Survey for a Chance to win 2 Tickets to IN TRANSIT
     
     
     
    And as we head into this new season we want you to hear from you! What do you enjoy most about the show? What do you want to learn more about?  In the interest of knowing you better, we’ve created a very brief survey that you can access by clicking the link below. 
     
    And here’s the really exciting part: if you complete the survey by January 1, you'll  have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the new Broadway musical IN TRANSIT. 
     
     
    “SHOWSTOPPING AND HEART-PUMPING. IF LOVE ACTUALLY WERE A MUSICAL SET IN THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY SYSTEM, IT WOULD BE IN TRANSIT.“- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
     
    “A RAPTUROUSLY HARMONIOUS AND SURPRISINGLY MOVING EXPERIENCE.“- VARIETY
     
    “VIBRANT, PLAYFUL, AND INFECTIOUS. A LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK CITY.”- THE STAR-LEDGER
     
    This new musical follows the story of 11 New Yorkers hoping to catch the express train to their dreams—and all the stops they make along the way.  And it’s a capella score was written by a team that includes the creators of Pitch Perfect and Frozen. It’s a powerful show, not to be missed.
     
    So after you listen to this episode, click to fill out the survey and register for the chance to win tickets to IN TRANSIT!
     
    Click here to take the survey and register for the
     
    chance to win a pair of tickets to IN TRANSIT
     
    or copy this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZHVLCN
     
    ______________________________________________________________________
    35 min
  • “The S.P.I.C.E.S. of Life” - How Quakerism Taught Andy von Salis to Sit With Silence and Stand in Protest

    We're launching our new season with a podcast survey


    and a chance to win tickets to a new Broadway Musical!


     


    See below for details.


     


    Click here to take the survey and register for the


     chance to win a pair of tickets to IN TRANSIT


    or copy this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZHVLCN


    _________________________________________________________


     



     


    Andy von Salis and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn


     


    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Andy von Salis, a clerk (or presiding moderator) of the New York Religious Society of Friends, also known as "Quakers," on how the practice of silence and commitment to equality have guided Quakers as some of the most powerful peace and justice makers in American history and have personally empowered his own civil disobedience.


     


    On the Fundamental Belief of Quakerism: “There is that of God, an element of the divine, that is alive within each person.”


     


    35 min
  • "Gifts of Spirit and Caregiving" - Peter Gudaitis on Faith Leadership and Disaster Response
    MaggiVan Dorn talks with Peter Gudaitis
    In the wake of the 9/11tragedy fifteen years ago, an organization called New York Disaster InterfaithServices (NYDIS) came together to coordinate disaster relief.  Since thattime, NYDIS has grown and gone on to provide relief after Hurricane Sandy andother disasters.  In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Peter B.Gudaitis, Chief Response Officer of NYDIS, about the challenges of coordinatingdisaster relief in a city comprised of hundreds of separate cultural and faithcommunities, and how to train religious leaders to provide emergency responseto a multi-faith population. 
    Highlights:
    On the current state ofnational disaster relief: "Inthe United States, when a disaster happens, only citizens and green cardholders can get federal disaster assistance… you could be in legal immigrantstatus but not qualify for federal assistance or state assistance."
    On the importance of religious diversity literacy: "Is the city prepared to feed [peoplevegetarian, halal or kosher meals]?  Do our medical professionalsunderstand the prohibitions against different genders touching one another? Doour shelters have the ability to shelter men and women separately, or women andchildren separately from men? The answer today quite frankly is no."
    On recent advancements in disaster relief: Sincethe Obama administration, F.E.M.A. has adopted something called whole communitydoctrine, which in short means that government needs to be prepared to supportthe needs of all communities at the local level, and not just the majority …that means marginalized communities, non-English speaking communities, thepoor, the well-resourced … men, women, children, gay communities, straightcommunities, all of that."
    On the unfortunate reportsof judgmental chaplains at the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting: "If you don’t see the personyou’re caring for as a whole person, if you see the part of them that you findsinful as something that you have to make some sort of navigating decisionsaround, you’re not fully present for that person, and they’re going to be ableto tell."
    On disaster chaplains: "Disaster spiritual care isan expertise that has to be taught and learned and practiced … it’s not a giftof the spirit in and of itself.  Certainly since 9/11 there have beensignificant changes in the application of emotional and spiritual care … it'sbeen more structured … it's kind of like the distinction between graduatingfrom medical school and being a brain surgeon.  You might have the basicsbut you really have to develop and practice an expertise."
    We hope you will not justlisten to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving,jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe in order to be alerted whennew installments are available.  It’s a great way to learn about thefaiths of our New York City neighbors.
    32 min
  • “Gifts of Spirit and Caregiving” - Peter Gudaitis on Faith Leadership and Disaster Response


    MaggiVan Dorn talks with Peter Gudaitis


    In the wake of the 9/11tragedy fifteen years ago, an organization called New York Disaster InterfaithServices (NYDIS) came together to coordinate disaster relief.  Since thattime, NYDIS has grown and gone on to provide relief after Hurricane Sandy andother disasters.  In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Peter B.Gudaitis, Chief Response Officer of NYDIS, about the challenges of coordinatingdisaster relief in a city comprised of hundreds of separate cultural and faithcommunities, and how to train religious leaders to provide emergency responseto a multi-faith population. 


    Highlights:


    On the current state ofnational disaster relief: "Inthe United States, when a disaster happens, only citizens and green cardholders can get federal disaster assistance… you could be in legal immigrantstatus but not qualify for federal assistance or state assistance."



    On the importance of religious diversity literacy: "Is the city prepared to feed [peoplevegetarian, halal or kosher meals]?  Do our medical professionalsunderstand the prohibitions against different genders touching one another? Doour shelters have the ability to shelter men and women separately, or women andchildren separately from men? The answer today quite frankly is no."



    On recent advancements in disaster relief: Sincethe Obama administration, F.E.M.A. has adopted something called whole communitydoctrine, which in short means that government needs to be prepared to supportthe needs of all communities at the local level, and not just the majority …that means marginalized communities, non-English speaking communities, thepoor, the well-resourced … men, women, children, gay communities, straightcommunities, all of that."



    On the unfortunate reportsof judgmental chaplains at the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting: "If you don’t see the personyou’re caring for as a whole person, if you see the part of them that you findsinful as something that you have to make some sort of navigating decisionsaround, you’re not fully present for that person, and they’re going to be ableto tell."



    On disaster chaplains: "Disaster spiritual care isan expertise that has to be taught and learned and practiced … it’s not a gif

    32 min
  • Part 1: “The Natural Tendency of the Soul” – Nitin Ajmera on Jainism, Nonviolence, and the Human Struggle for Virtue
    Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera
     
    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn
    talks with Nitin Ajmera, former president of the Jain Center of
    America, located in Elmhurst, Queens.  In this richly informative and
    entertaining two-part interview, Mr. Ajmera describes the origins of
    Jainism (one of the oldest religions in the world), and speaks about the
    three main principals of the Jain faith: devotion to nonviolence
    (Ahimsa), a rejection of possessiveness (Aparigraha), and embracing the
    understanding that there are multiple paths that lead to establishment
    of the truth (Anekantvada). His engaging talk is a rare and valuable
    opportunity to learn about Jainism and how Jain belief and practice can
    enlighten world views on Climate Change, vegetarianism, moral
    responsibility, and much more. 
     
    On
    the doctrine of non-violence known as “ahimsa”: “It is beyond killing
    of a physical, visible form … ahimsa is like nonviolence in thought,
    action and speech.”
    On
    diversity: “The identity of a group has to be maintained but as long as
    we acknowledge that identity allows us to see a different kind of bloom
    in our garden… it’s beautiful right….why? Because different looks
    nice.”
     
    On
    Jainism’s understanding of God: “The concept of God as a creator
    doesn’t exist in Jainism; the concept of God as an Eternal Truth? 
    Yes.” 
     
    On
    the Jain respect for all life forms, even to the degree of not eating
    root vegetables so as not to harm earthworms: “Each soul has its own
    right to survive and meet its own fate. We are nobody in influencing
    that.  If we can’t make it better, who gives us the right to take it
    away?”
     
    We
    hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts
    to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe
    in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a
    great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.
    21 min
  • Part 2: “The Natural Tendency of the Soul” – Nitin Ajmera on Jainism, Nonviolence, and the Human Struggle for Virtue
    Maggi Van Dorn talks with Nitin Ajmera
     
    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn
    talks with Nitin Ajmera, former president of the Jain Center of
    America, located in Elmhurst, Queens.  In this richly informative and
    entertaining two-part interview, Mr. Ajmera describes the origins of
    Jainism (one of the oldest religions in the world), and speaks about the
    three main principals of the Jain faith: devotion to nonviolence
    (Ahimsa), a rejection of possessiveness (Aparigraha), and embracing the
    understanding that there are multiple paths that lead to establishment
    of the truth (Anekantvada). His engaging talk is a rare and valuable
    opportunity to learn about Jainism and how Jain belief and practice can
    enlighten world views on Climate Change, vegetarianism, moral
    responsibility, and much more. 
     
    On
    the doctrine of non-violence known as “ahimsa”: “It is beyond killing
    of a physical, visible form … ahimsa is like nonviolence in thought,
    action and speech.”
    On
    diversity: “The identity of a group has to be maintained but as long as
    we acknowledge that identity allows us to see a different kind of bloom
    in our garden… it’s beautiful right….why? Because different looks
    nice.”
     
    On
    Jainism’s understanding of God: “The concept of God as a creator
    doesn’t exist in Jainism; the concept of God as an Eternal Truth? 
    Yes.” 
     
    On
    the Jain respect for all life forms, even to the degree of not eating
    root vegetables so as not to harm earthworms: “Each soul has its own
    right to survive and meet its own fate. We are nobody in influencing
    that.  If we can’t make it better, who gives us the right to take it
    away?”
     
    We
    hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts
    to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe
    in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a
    great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.
    23 min
  • Father Liam O'Doherty shares an "Incarnational Faith"
    Father Liam and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn 
    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Father Liam O'Doherty, an Augustinian friar and Catholic priest, currently of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Staten Island.  Fr. Liam served 18 years as a missionary in Nagoya & Nagasaki, Japan, where he ministered to the descendents of Japan's first Catholic martyrs.  He is renown in Staten Island for his interfaith work in bringing together the Roman Catholic and Muslim communities around shared social justice concerns.  And Fr. Liam is also credited with arranging New York City Cardinal Dolan’s first visit to a mosque.
    On
    Muslim Neighbors: [When I see Muslims pray, I see] that what they have
    in their hearts is the same thing that I have in my heart - a deep
    desire to praise God, and to have a relationship with Him.  And the
    thing that comes out of that is a desire to support each other in their
    walk of faith, and also to do something for the people outside of the
    community.” 
    On singing as embodied prayer: “When you sing, your body becomes a musical instrument … it’s incarnational.”
    On how to Be a Priest/Faith leader: “Show up, be there, and don't get in the way of the action of the Holy Spirit."
    We
    hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts
    to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe
    in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a
    great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.
    30 min
  • Father Liam O’Doherty shares an “Incarnational Faith”


    Father Liam and ICNY Podcast Producer Maggi Van Dorn 


    In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Father Liam O'Doherty, an Augustinian friar and Catholic priest, currently of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Staten Island.  Fr. Liam served 18 years as a missionary in Nagoya & Nagasaki, Japan, where he ministered to the descendents of Japan's first Catholic martyrs.  He is renown in Staten Island for his interfaith work in bringing together the Roman Catholic and Muslim communities around shared social justice concerns.  And Fr. Liam is also credited with arranging New York City Cardinal Dolan’s first visit to a mosque.



    On

    Muslim Neighbors: [When I see Muslims pray, I see] that what they have
    in their hearts is the same thing that I have in my heart - a deep
    desire to praise God, and to have a relationship with Him.  And the
    thing that comes out of that is a desire to support each other in their
    walk of faith, and also to do something for the people outside of the
    community.” 


    On singing as embodied prayer: “When you sing, your body becomes a musical instrument … it’s incarnational.”


    On how to Be a Priest/Faith leader: “Show up, be there, and don't get in the way of the action of the Holy Spirit."


    We

    hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts
    to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes.  And subscribe
    in order to be alerted when new installments are available.  It’s a
    great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.

    30 min

About Interfaith Matters

From the publisher's feed

Interfaith Matters is an original podcast series from The Interfaith Center of New York that explores how interfaith engagement matters to making positive social change