Dear Friends & Supporters,
As Salaam Alaikum, Ramadan Karim!
Summer is drawing to a close, the last days of Ramadan are passing too quickly! Fall is a time of reflection and rumination, a time to take stock and count our harvest from the year's intentions. This fall, Faith House Manhattan is beginning the journey of our second year together and the story of Islam is a significant part of that journey.
The winds are changing in America for Islam, after years of distrust and paranoia. In New York City, Faith House is working to open the minds and hearts of Americans and faithful people from all walks of life to the gifts of Islam.
At Faith House, we have built a community based on trust. Non-judgment is our practice. Truth is our creed. Love and friendship are the stuff that holds us together. We provide a safe space where non-Muslims can experience Islam, as well as a place where progressive-minded Muslims can voice their opinions, interpret and re-interpret their texts and traditions, and meaningfully engage with people of other faiths. Faith House exists so that we can discover ways of knowing each other more deeply and serving the world in synergy instead of competition.
Where We Have Been
Year One meant laying down the foundation for our "house," exploring who we are and how to serve. We strive to make the idea of a multi-faith, interdependent community a reality. My primary focus over the last year has been planning and implementing Islamic themed Living Room gatherings, as well as encouraging Muslims to attend and contribute to Non-Muslim themed events.
For our launch on 9/9/09, "Banquet of Love: A Ramadan Feast" we were blessed to have 55 people attend our Ramadan Iftar, including members of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Community, other Muslims, and many non-Muslims. It was a night of amazing energy and prayerfulness, including five rows of people performing Salat, followed by Indian food.
Our grand launch in 2008 was a collaboration between myself and our Jewish Co-Leader Jill Minkoff entitled, "Renewals of Life: Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah." The highest attendance of last year was for a Living Room entitled, "Holy Journey: Hajj and Eid al-Adha" on Dec 6, 2008, an exciting event featuring many guests including a talk on Abraham hosted by the Progressive Muslim Meet-up, spoken word by poet-ess TAMIR, a musical performance by Persian Sufi-rocker Haale, and a Sufi dhikr service led by Shaykha Fariha al-Jerrahi. Another event entitled "Mother, Prophet, Mystic: Mary In New Testament, Holy Quran, and Beyond" was a rich experiential journey into the Marian tradition in Islam and mystic Catholicism. Finally, "The Garden of Union: Ancient Sufi Ceremony of Dhikrullah" was an in-depth look at the central sacrament of Islam: la ilahe illallah.
In addition to these living rooms the Faith House community made field trips to visit the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi dergah, as well as a discussion at the Progressive Muslim Meetup. We also served together at Habitat for Humanity, as well as attending various events devoted to Islamic topics throughout the city.
Where We Are Going
For our second year, Faith House has made the decision to add an additional element to our Mission Vision Principles: "Islamic Involvement: At this historical moment, we place a special emphasis on the value of leadership and participation of diverse local Muslims in all aspects of the life of Faith House."
As part of this focus I will be building stronger bridges with the Muslim communities of New York City and beyond by organizing leadership meetings, planning field trips to visit other communities, and continuing the innovative Living Room gatherings. Among our upcoming events is an invitation to lead Peace Prayers at the Storahtelling Yom Kippur Services this month and an upcoming discussion on Israel/Palestine with Marcia Kannry of the Dialogue Project and Sammer Aboelela of Progressive Muslim Meetup.
Support the Gifts of lslam at Faith House
What better time to join this effort, through your support, monetarily or energetically, to Faith House? Our goal is to raise $5,000 by September 25, the Friday after the end of Ramadan, as a foundation for the $20,000 in this year's budget dedicated to Islamic Involvement.
Your contribution of $50 supports our online communication and print materials, $100 provides an honorarium for a visiting artist or musician, $300 covers the expenses for one of our twice-monthly Living Room Gatherings, and $500 or more contributes to the Islamic Co-Leader stipend. Any and all amounts are welcome! Please spread the word to friends and family members who might be interested.
Thank you in advance for your commitment and ongoing support to help New Yorkers experience their Muslim neighbor's faith through Faith House Manhattan. Please send your tax-exempt contribution today to:
Faith House Manhattan
P.O. Box 552
New York, NY 10028
For more information on Faith House Manhattan's Mission, Vision, Principles and Programs, visit our website www.faithhousemanhattan.org or email rabia@faithhousemanhattan.org.
May you taste the brilliance of the Blessed Night of Power. May your every Prayer be answered!
Heart in Heart,
Juliet Rabia Gentile
Islamic Co-Leader, Faith House Manhattan
As Salaam Alaikum, Ramadan Karim!
Summer is drawing to a close, the last days of Ramadan are passing too quickly! Fall is a time of reflection and rumination, a time to take stock and count our harvest from the year's intentions. This fall, Faith House Manhattan is beginning the journey of our second year together and the story of Islam is a significant part of that journey.
The winds are changing in America for Islam, after years of distrust and paranoia. In New York City, Faith House is working to open the minds and hearts of Americans and faithful people from all walks of life to the gifts of Islam.
At Faith House, we have built a community based on trust. Non-judgment is our practice. Truth is our creed. Love and friendship are the stuff that holds us together. We provide a safe space where non-Muslims can experience Islam, as well as a place where progressive-minded Muslims can voice their opinions, interpret and re-interpret their texts and traditions, and meaningfully engage with people of other faiths. Faith House exists so that we can discover ways of knowing each other more deeply and serving the world in synergy instead of competition.
Where We Have Been
Year One meant laying down the foundation for our "house," exploring who we are and how to serve. We strive to make the idea of a multi-faith, interdependent community a reality. My primary focus over the last year has been planning and implementing Islamic themed Living Room gatherings, as well as encouraging Muslims to attend and contribute to Non-Muslim themed events.
For our launch on 9/9/09, "Banquet of Love: A Ramadan Feast" we were blessed to have 55 people attend our Ramadan Iftar, including members of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Community, other Muslims, and many non-Muslims. It was a night of amazing energy and prayerfulness, including five rows of people performing Salat, followed by Indian food.
Our grand launch in 2008 was a collaboration between myself and our Jewish Co-Leader Jill Minkoff entitled, "Renewals of Life: Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah." The highest attendance of last year was for a Living Room entitled, "Holy Journey: Hajj and Eid al-Adha" on Dec 6, 2008, an exciting event featuring many guests including a talk on Abraham hosted by the Progressive Muslim Meet-up, spoken word by poet-ess TAMIR, a musical performance by Persian Sufi-rocker Haale, and a Sufi dhikr service led by Shaykha Fariha al-Jerrahi. Another event entitled "Mother, Prophet, Mystic: Mary In New Testament, Holy Quran, and Beyond" was a rich experiential journey into the Marian tradition in Islam and mystic Catholicism. Finally, "The Garden of Union: Ancient Sufi Ceremony of Dhikrullah" was an in-depth look at the central sacrament of Islam: la ilahe illallah.
In addition to these living rooms the Faith House community made field trips to visit the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi dergah, as well as a discussion at the Progressive Muslim Meetup. We also served together at Habitat for Humanity, as well as attending various events devoted to Islamic topics throughout the city.
Where We Are Going
For our second year, Faith House has made the decision to add an additional element to our Mission Vision Principles: "Islamic Involvement: At this historical moment, we place a special emphasis on the value of leadership and participation of diverse local Muslims in all aspects of the life of Faith House."
As part of this focus I will be building stronger bridges with the Muslim communities of New York City and beyond by organizing leadership meetings, planning field trips to visit other communities, and continuing the innovative Living Room gatherings. Among our upcoming events is an invitation to lead Peace Prayers at the Storahtelling Yom Kippur Services this month and an upcoming discussion on Israel/Palestine with Marcia Kannry of the Dialogue Project and Sammer Aboelela of Progressive Muslim Meetup.
Support the Gifts of lslam at Faith House
What better time to join this effort, through your support, monetarily or energetically, to Faith House? Our goal is to raise $5,000 by September 25, the Friday after the end of Ramadan, as a foundation for the $20,000 in this year's budget dedicated to Islamic Involvement.
Your contribution of $50 supports our online communication and print materials, $100 provides an honorarium for a visiting artist or musician, $300 covers the expenses for one of our twice-monthly Living Room Gatherings, and $500 or more contributes to the Islamic Co-Leader stipend. Any and all amounts are welcome! Please spread the word to friends and family members who might be interested.
Thank you in advance for your commitment and ongoing support to help New Yorkers experience their Muslim neighbor's faith through Faith House Manhattan. Please send your tax-exempt contribution today to:
Faith House Manhattan
P.O. Box 552
New York, NY 10028
For more information on Faith House Manhattan's Mission, Vision, Principles and Programs, visit our website www.faithhousemanhattan.org or email rabia@faithhousemanhattan.org.
May you taste the brilliance of the Blessed Night of Power. May your every Prayer be answered!
Heart in Heart,
Juliet Rabia Gentile
Islamic Co-Leader, Faith House Manhattan
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