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The mission of InterReligious Partners in Action of Greater Cleveland, known as InterAct Cleveland:
To be a catalyst for creating an interreligious community through
which members put faith into action working for social justice through
dialogue, service, and advocacy.
In a time when places around the world are torn by conflict, especially
what the news media call "sectarian violence," consider the following:
The same person-namely InterAct's executive director, Jean M.
Ohlenbusch-who receives the Jewish Community Federation's call to
organize religious leaders to articulate a common vision of American
free exercise of religion also receives a high compliment from the
local head of the Council on American Islamic Relations, that she
"feels safe" when InterAct's chief is in attendance
- Bedford, Ohio's Sikh gurdwara, threatened by home-grown hate
after 9/11, in 2006 was the site of an interreligious gathering and
delicious Indian meal over the subject of how America has become the
most religiously pluralistic nation on earth.
- The maxim
often referred to in the West as "The Golden Rule"-treat others as you
would want them to treat you-is a principle verbalized throughout the
world's religions, along with caring for those less fortunate.
- In
the coming year, thanks to InterAct Cleveland, Baha'is, Buddhists,
Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and Unitarian Universalists
will begin visits to one another's places of worship to experience the
setting and learn the basic beliefs of the religion, enabling the
community to celebrate our commonalities as well as our differences.
InterAct Cleveland dates to the mid-1970s when its predecessor, the
Euclid University Cluster of Religious Institutions, organized to
provide hunger relief to the residents of the Hough, Fairfax, and
University Circle neighborhoods. The Cluster- nine congregations
representing Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish faiths-incorporated
as East Side Interfaith Ministries (ESIM) in October 1991 in
recognition of the fact that hunger programs alone could not effect
significant change. Reorganized and expanded as InterAct Cleveland in
1999, we have continued to support people who want to make changes in
their lives, in their neighborhoods, and in the systems that hinder
change.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2006-2007, the InterAct Cleveland
family now numbers about seventy congregations, faith communities,
campus ministries, and partner organizations. They come from Baha'i,
Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Sikh, and Unitarian Universalist
traditions, and include secular organizations who share our values.
Its
principal programs are interreligious worship and dialogue, including
the "A New Religious America" tours of religious sites; the Homeless
Stand Down and other initiatives related to the challenges of living in
poverty; the Community Food Pantry, relocated this year from the
original Hunger Center at the Church of the Transfiguration to a newly
renovated building donated by the Cleveland Clinic; the meals program,
serving 10,000 meals each year; and Partners in Action Mentoring &
Friends.
InterAct Cleveland affirms the richness in each member's religion.
Everyone-volunteers, program participants, staff, and organizations
with whom InterAct collaborates-finds opportunities for personal growth
and transformation in an environment of mutual respect and sharing.
ESIM
received the 1996 Isaiah Award for Human Relations from the Cleveland
Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. This award recognized ESIM's
effectiveness in volunteer and community involvement in working toward
the betterment of the Greater Cleveland community. ESIM also received
the 1995-1996 Award of Achievement for Volunteerism from Northern Ohio LIVE. As
summarized in the magazine, "ESIM is providing two major services to
the Cleveland area: it is helping people in need, and it is bringing
together diverse religions for the good of the community."
InterAct Cleveland is supported primarily by annual pledges from
congregations and faith communities, individual and corporate
donations, and foundation grants.
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