We Express Sorrow and Solidarity
with Our Asian American Neighbors

         The InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit was shocked and saddened by the shootings of seven Asian Americans in Atlanta last week. This horrific event was the most violent recent incident, but there have been many verbal and physical assaults against Asian Americans throughout the U.S. during the past year.
         Our local Asian American and Pacific Islander community is frightened. While Euro-Americans may have forgotten, Asian Americans have not forgotten the murder of Vincent Chin here in Detroit during another period of anti-Asian bigotry.
         Hate speech is unacceptable and violence against others because of their religion, ethnicity or race is unconscionable. Every major religion teaches the dignity of each individual and the value of human life. We call on all Americans to speak out against bigotry and violence against people of all backgrounds.

          Holocaust Memorial Center Announces 2021 Student Art and Writing Competitions

           The Holocaust Memorial Center, a long-time partner of Religious Diversity Journeys, has announced its 2021 student art and writing competitions for middle and high school students. The Kappy Family Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel Night Art & Writing Competitions seek to educate students about the Holocaust, engage them through Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel’s profound stories, and empower them to move from thought to action using creative expression. The entry deadline is April 16 and a virtual awards ceremony will be held on June 16, 2021. For details about this creative competition, see the flyer below for the competition for 7th and 89th graders or visit

 
 Youth Input Sought for World Sabbath
          
Rick Joseph, chair of World Sabbath, is seeking input from young people about their faith during the pandemic. The next World Sabbath will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Young people are asked to make and submit a video answering four questions included in the following Google document by April 16, 2021:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1md_SZYAvWoQD97oxhkyYMP3Yv_lw70Q_TcYPbExc_14/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming Interfaith Community Events

Faith-Based Human Service Forum
      The Ebenezer Community and Cultural Center will host a Faith Based Human Service Forum during its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The theme for this free virtual event is: "The Faith Factor in Providing Community Based Human Services." Psychiatrist Taft Parsons III, M.D., who serves as the Enterprise Medical Director of Humana Inc., will be the featured guest speaker. The program will feature an interfaith panel of human service providers including InterFaith Leadership Council board member Rabbi Edut Dorit, who leads DION (Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network). To register for this ZOOM event, go to Eventbrite:   https://tinyurl.com/7xfmpw65. 
Additional information is available at http://www.ebenezerccc.org.

Roots of Medical Racism in America 
         Join WISDOM (Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metro Detroit) at 7 p.m. on March 30 as its members partner with Dr. Oveta Fuller'sTrustMessengers team to explore the roots of medical racism in America. Dr. Fuller serves on the FDA Advisory panel for the COVID-19 vaccine and will be hosting Dr. Jesslyn Anderson who will provide a presentation on Generational Trauma: Health Disparities Experienced by African Americans over Centuries. Link to register for the zoom webinar: https://umich.zoom.us/.../register/WN_8hc5dR8lSCmcoKn6opU-JQ

Interfaith Commemoration for Those Lost to
COVID-19
     The general community and interfaith leaders are invited to honor those lost to COVID-19 at “Sacrificial Saturday” on Saturday, April 3, 2021. This community support initiative will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. outdoors at Conquerors Church Field, 31542 Gratiot Avenue, Roseville 48066.
 
InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit | P.O. Box 252271, West Bloomfield, MI 48325
Phone: [313.338.9777] Email contact: [email protected]