Honoring our Shared Humanity
Through Education and Engagement

Preserving the First Amendment

(San Jose, 6/6/07) ING Concludes Academic Year 2006-2007 with Record Number of Interfaith Events The public impact of religion has increased worldwide according to recent data and trends. Here in the U.S. according to a Harris Poll in January 2003, 90% of Americans believe in God, 84% believe in the survival of the soul after death, and 82% believe in heaven. At the same time, religious grievances have been significant factors in civil wars, national conflicts and international acts of terrorism. For this reason, it has never been more important to reinforce and promote American ideals of tolerance and freedom of religion that is enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is to this end that ING today is more engaged than ever before in interfaith dialogues and education, seeking to promote understanding through civil discourse. Read More

Cultural Competency Serving Arabs and American Muslim Families

(San Jose, 6/12/2007) ING News and Events of Note: ING Speaker Participates in Castro Valley High Interfaith Baccalaureate – 6/10/07 An ING speaker joined members of other faith traditions at Castro Valley High School’s 25th Interfaith Baccalaureate on Sunday, June 10th. The one hour ceremony consisted of speeches by school officials and religious leaders, including Superintendent James Fitzpatrick, Principal Lisa Garcia, and faith leader representatives of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist communities, as well as farewell speeches and choral, musical, and other performances by graduating seniors. The various words of wisdom of the different faith and school leaders blended together in a beautiful array of advice and inspiration for the graduates and young people in general. The ING speaker both voiced appreciation for inclusion in the program, as well as echoed the sentiment of other speakers that what is most important for young people today is the desire and commitment to making this world a better place. Read More

New Hires at ING

(San Jose, 6/26/07) ING News and Events of Note: ING Hires New Associate Director and Senior Development Associate ING is pleased to announce that it has recently hired a new Associate Director and Senior Development Associate. Julie Larson, ING’s new Associate Director who will be responsible for the day- to-day management of the organization, has over 25 years experience in education and management. Julie is a graduate of SJSU and Aarhus Universitet, where she earned three M.A. degrees in Linguistics, US History, and European History. Julie has been working in the field of education for more than 25 years, having managed academic and training organizations in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her passion is curriculum management, with an eye to balanced content and delivery that leaves an impact. As a manager, she believes in cooperative understanding and the productive power of teamwork. Having spent a ten year hiatus in Denmark, Julie now resides with her son in the Evergreen foothills of the South Bay, her birthplace and childhood home. Read More