Dear Educators,
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30pm (ET), for Teaching African-American Religious Diversity: Black Jewish, Buddhist, and Lukumi Perspectives, a virtual professional learning program that highlights the often-overlooked diversity of religious life within African American communities.
This program will bring together a panel of religious leaders who will introduce their traditions and share core beliefs, historical roots, and what these traditions look like in everyday life. Educators will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists through Q&A and conversation, followed by time to reflect on how these perspectives can meaningfully inform classroom instruction and curriculum.
Featured Speakers:
- Rabbi Heather Miller is the founder of Multitudes, an educational nonprofit dedicated to creating embracing and supportive spaces for Jews of Color. A professional educator, Rabbi Miller serves in leadership roles across the Jewish communal landscape, including the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Ammud JOC Torah Academy, and the Conservative/Masorti Movement’s Racial Justice Subcommittee. Her work has reached over 43,000 people and has been featured nationally, including on PBS.
- Rev. James Lynch is Vice President of the Buddhist Council of New York and a Minister and Dharma Teacher with Rissho Kosei Kai, where he also serves as a representative to the United Nations. He holds leadership roles with Religions for Peace USA, the Interfaith Center of New York, and the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
- Iyalorisha Amma Oloriwaa! is a Brooklyn native and a priest of Obatala in the Afro-Cuban Lukumi tradition, with more than 40 years of religious leadership and community service. She is the founder and director of the Egbe Iwa Rites of Passage program, a nationally recognized youth development and cultural mentoring initiative, and a founding member of multiple Yoruba-based religious and community organizations. Her work has been honored by civic leaders across New York City.
We hope you will join us for this rich conversation and learning experience as we explore how religious diversity within African American communities can deepen understanding and enrich teaching practice. Register for this event here!
This program is offered through the Teaching Together Network, a national network that provides professional learning opportunities, resources, and community for K–12 educators teaching about religion. The Network is a collaboration between Tanenbaum, the Interfaith Center of New York, the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies, and the Religion and Education Collaborative.
Sincerely,
Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO, Tanenbaum, and the Education Team