Federal grants assist congregations with security

Muslim Community Celebrates Ramadan

Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadan from April 2 until May 2 with daily fasts, community events, prayer, and acts of charity. Ramadan commemorates the creation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book. We wish all who celebrate Ramadan a meaningful, joyful holiday.

Federal Government Increases Security Funding for Religious and Other Nonprofit Organizations

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas recently visited the Detroit area with U.S. Senator Gary Peters. Sen. Peters chairs the Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and recently supported a bill that will increase federal funds to improve security at houses of worship and nonprofit organizations.

Sen. Peters commented: “Secretary Mayorkas and I first met with faith and community leaders at the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills to hear how rising threats and attacks against houses of worship are affecting Michiganders and to discuss DHS’ Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) – which provides important resources to help secure these sacred spaces against targeted attacks. I’ve been proud to champion this program for years, and recently secured $250 million for the program as part of the government funding bill signed into law recently – and I will continue to build on these efforts.

We also had the opportunity to meet with leaders from Michigan’s Arab and Muslim American communities in Dearborn to talk about important civil rights issues, including unique circumstances these communities often face when interacting with the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while traveling. As a result of the concerns the Secretary heard from the communities in Dearborn, I was pleased to announce the Department of Homeland Security has notified me that CBP will be establishing a Detroit-based community relations position dedicated to building trust and working with Michigan’s Arab and Muslim American communities, as well as other impacted communities.”

Religious and other nonprofit organizations can obtain up to $150,000 from the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program. For more information, visit https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_fy2021-nsgp-nofo_3-2-2021.pdf

Upcoming Programs

May 3, 2022 The InterFaith Leadership Council will feature john a. powell (pictured at right, lower case intentional) in an online presentation at 7:00 p.m. about values and

co-creating our future. Details will follow.

May 22, 2022 The InterFaith Leadership Council and WISDOM (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metro Detroit) will present an educational program about the spring holidays celebrated by the Baha’i, Jain and Zoroastrian religions. The panel discussion will be held at 3:00 p.m. at The Jain Society of Detroit, 29278 W. Twelve Mile Road in Farmington Hills. A virtual format will be offered as well. Additional information will be forthcoming at detroitinterfaithcouncil.com.

Corinne Stavish and Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. Will Share Stories of Jewish and Black Experiences

Join Corinne Stavish and Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. for an evening of stories and music about freedom on Wednesday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at Temple Kol Ami, 5085 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan. Proceeds from this program will be donated to HIAS, an international nonprofit organization that is helping Ukrainian refugees.

Rev. Jones has been featured in several InterFaith Leadership Council Faith & Works podcasts. The InterFaith Leadership Council is one of many organizations sponsoring this event, which will offer an online virtual option through Temple Kol Ami’s Facebook page.

Visit tkolami.org/social-action/ to register or visit Upcoming Events at detroitinterfaithcouncil.com. A donation of $18 is suggested. Refreshments will be served.

Local Hindu and Jewish Communities Join for Author Presentation

Adat Shalom Synagogue (Farmington Hills) and the Bharatiya Temple (Troy) recently hosted a presentation by Dr. Susan Adelman, a local surgeon, about her most recent book “From Jerusalem to Delhi through Persia." The book explores the “historical, mystical and cultural connection that link Jews to the Indian subcontinent.”

In addition to the Jewish and Hindu host congregations, sponsor organizations included the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC, Hindu Community Relations Council (HCRC), and Gorgias Press. In the photo, Harita Vadari, member of the Executive Board, HCRC, is shown at left with Dr. Adelman.

Nissan Video Celebrating Women’s Achievements Features Raman Singh

The Nissan Foundation recently created a video to commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Raman Singh, the InterFaith Leadership Council’s executive director, is featured in the video. (See link below). Nissan is a corporate funder of the InterFaith Leadership Council.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boGGhWgm-Yo

InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit | P.O. Box 252271, West Bloomfield, MI 48325

Phone: [313.338.9777] Email contact: [email protected]

Website: detroitinterfaithcouncil.com