Interfaith Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements

Food for thought and reflection.

"In Jewish social spaces, I am very conscious that I am Black, and that it makes me stand out. In BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) spaces, sometimes I feel slightly isolated as I’m often the only Jew of color there." (Nadine Batchelor-Hunt)

For the people of Yemen: Oh Divine Mystery, known by many Names by people of many faiths since time immemorial, we implore Your compassion be poured into the hearts of the combatants and their leaders whose war is annihilating the children, women and men of Yemen. May the power of Your love transform the hearts of the warring, so they no longer bomb hospitals and schools and no longer prevent food and medical supplies from reaching the hungry and the sick. We ask this trusting in Your care for all life on this Earth that You have created. Amen.

Dear Community, . Our collective member Amal Ghazal has been working alongside Councillor Christine Boyle, Jean Swanson, City Councillor and Shila Avissa on a motion calling on the province to collect disaggregated race-based and socio-demographic data regarding the pandemic. . The motion incorporates input and draws from the work of many BIPOC communities who have been calling for this data collection. See the motion for a list.... . Leadership of racialized communities on this issue and the additional momentum of this motion played a crucial role in the recent announcement that the province wants to start collecting race based data. . Support is needed to keep the momentum going/the pressure up. Help pass the motion at this week's council meeting. Council will hear from Speakers on June 24. . Share the quick infographics below from Amal with wording from the motion. . Full Motion: bit.ly/2Va5jAl . Sign up to speak/send letters of support by the end of today: bit.ly/2YnwklJ See more

Blessings and thank you to all our mothers, those still with us and those in our heavenly cheering section. Blessings and thank you to all of you who have birthed new life in the world through children, through love and compassion, through bringing to fruition new ways and new works. Blessings and thank you to all of you who nurture life in the world through sharing your knowledge of the traditional ways and your own innovations to the traditional.... Blessings and thank you to all of us for sustaining the life of this community of worship through our mutual caring and sharing. May Hagia Pneuma, Ruach ha-kodesh, the Holy Spirit continue to breath life into everything you do and into every part of you. Amen!

In this time of crisis, the deep systemic inequities in our society are being further exposed and exacerbated. Please support, share, donate to this emergency fund for Black communities in B.C. Organized by amazing local organizers and leaders in our community.