Sign up for the ING newsletter to receive news and announcements.
|
Join us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary honoring our supporters and volunteers over the years, including two special awardees.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
“Standing Up for Respect for All” Award Sponsored by the Pond Family in recognition of individuals who have stood up for interreligious and intercultural respect in the face of bigotry. Marianne Schmidt, principal of Parkmont Elementary, and Asfia Ahmed, parent. During the current school year, Asfia’s child was attacked by another student in the school who called him a “terrorist” and other names while choking him. The child told Asfia later that he wished he’d never told anyone that he was Muslim. Responding calmly but firmly, she contacted the principal and district superintendent. In response, the principal not only disciplined the offending student, but also set out to hold several educational sessions about Muslims for both students and teachers in the school. The school district has also committed to a cultural diversity seminar for district wide administrators and teachers. “Unsung Hero of Community Service” Award Sponsored by the Raghib Family in recognition of individuals who have notably served the community out of the limelight and with humility. Berget Jelane, speaker for ING’s Interfaith Speakers Bureau program who began with the Bureau in 2009, representing Buddhism on dozens of ING interfaith panels in high schools, colleges and universities, health centers, churches and synagogues, and inter-religious conferences. Berget is a valuable member of the IFSB who has tirelessly served the program as a volunteer speaker and creator of content without ever expecting anything in return other than the betterment of the community in which she lives. Professionally, Berget Jelane is a psychotherapist in private practice. She incorporates mindfulness and the understandings of Buddhist practice into her work with clients. |