Friends, members, and supporters of InterAct Cleveland,
As I am sure all of us are aware, there has been growing publicity in the past week to ten days concerning the building of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero in New York and some indications that members of the Muslim community are fearful about retribution due to the coincidental proximity of Eid al-Fitr and the anniversary of 9/11 this year.
InterAct would like to suggest that this is an opportunity for the interreligious community in our region to respond and offer our support to our Muslim sisters and brothers.Here is a statement of support that we will be releasing within the week to local news outlets. If you and your community would join us in signing this statement please sign by adding your name in the comments here.
Please feel free to call us at (216) 241-0230 or
if you have questions or concerns.
With school right around the corner I can’t help but remember my own time in the hallowed halls of Medina Senior High School. Students traversing the labyrinthine halls or the pungent order made by teachers furiously scribbling with their dry erase board markers. While it wasn’t as magical as Hogwarts, the teachers there were passionate about what they did.So much so that I still remember fondly a bumper sticker Ms. Cleary kept on her rarely-used lectern which read “I touch the future. I teach.”
She was the kind of brilliant teacher who not only expertly explained atomic particles, but she also taught her students how to interact with the real world. Unfortunately, in high schools of yesterday and today there are no study sessions on “how to change a tire,” “how to develop compassion,” or “how to work alongside people-who-think-and-act-differently-from-my-family-and-community.” And thanks to the separation of Church and State you can bet that there won’t be a class set aside to discuss our religious differences.
Be the heart of the Homeless Stand Down (HSD) with compassionate actions that benefit those who are experiencing homelessness. Join the team of 20-30 dynamic individuals that plan, organize, and run the Homeless Stand Down (HSD) as Volunteer Leaders and Team Captains.
Volunteer Leadersserve on one of the nine HSD planning teams and as a Lead Volunteer at the HSD event. The teams include: Food, Entertainment, Donations, Volunteers, Guests, Health and Well-Being, and Transportation.Leaders are asked to come to all monthly meetings.
*New* Team Captainsare experienced Volunteer Leaders who manage and support one of the nine HSD Planning Teams of dedicated Volunteer Leaders. It is the responsibility of the Team Captain that the team completes their designated tasks on time to ensure a successful HSD.
You have to ask yourself, are you able to wear a big goofy hat?
