Members of the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan performed recently at Abbey Delray North.

—  from my latest InterFaith21 essay in The Coastal Star.

"Proud Papa" Shelly Weil, who for 38 years has been hosting the exemplary cultural program.

More scenes:

— C.B. Hanif

I still was feeling gratitude for the response by justice system and other community members to our “Rethinking” Racially Biased Policing workshop — when I was further heartened by the response to our Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association’s 2nd Annual Interfaith Harvest Festival.

My Delray Interfaith Clergy Association colleague Ron Arflin (R) chaplain at Abbey Delray South, host of our 2nd Annual Interfaith Harvest Festival.

The workshop was presented  by my Catalyst for Justice colleagues Jane Tierney, Rabbi Paul Menitoff and me at Florida Atlantic University Nov. 12. We had major support from Dr. Maria Santamarina and FAU’s Diversity Committee.

C4J directors (L-R) Jane Tierney, CEO, Rabbi Paul Menitoff, chairman, and yours truly, president, learning a lot at FAU.

The workshop featured Lorie Fridell, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of South Florida’s Department of Criminology. It was an outstanding presentation by the national expert on advancing professionalism through research and training.

Dr. Fridell gave the audience — justice and social service personnel, community and advocacy organizations, educators, academics and general public — plenty to consider.

Judging by comments from the law enforcement and other community participants, the workshop more than met our goal of presenting best practices that can assist the entire community in significantly decreasing ethnic, religious, gender and other bias.

Diana Scavo (L) of the Focolare movement and her daughter Joylani were among my guests. "It was a special and great time for us to listen to so many loving people who really want to contribute to be one family of God," Diana said.

I can’t say enough for this year’s host, Ron Arflin and Abbey Delray South — and last year’s, Dick Lewellan of Abbey Delray North, the companion Lifespace Communities retirement facility. See other comments and more photos at our DBICA Facebook page, also below and at the end of this post.

Our hostesses were members of The International League of Muslim Women's South Florida Chapter, in their trademark red-and-white.

The table conversation summaries not only were heart-warming, but affirmed our best hopes for the event.

(L-R): Participants from the Florida Conference of Muslim Americans included Imams Fred Nuriddin, Delacie Ummah Phillips, Hanif, and Melton Mustafa.

Along with those events, I was fortunate to hear Deborah Lee Prescott, Ph.D, associate professor of English at Palm Beach Atlantic University, as she elaborated at the Cenacle Sisters’ retreat in Lantana on Nov. 13 regarding her new book, Imagery from Genesis in Holocaust Memoirs, about which I wrote for this month’s Coastal Star.

And all of that followed my very rewarding time with our local Pax Christi group, when I spoke about the Quran and the Hajj. (This week, Muslims worldwide celebrated the successful completion of this year’s pilgrimage to the holy city Mecca with our major holiday, Eid al-Adha.)

Of course, I’m loving all of this — increasingly seeing people of all stripes learning more about each other — and even better, learning how to better treat each other.

Yes, in the words of the eminent Imam W.D. Mohammed — ”America’s Imam”  — (see here, here and here): “Goodness is on the rise.”

More evidence:

— C.B. Hanif

With gracious host Ron Arflin, Abbey Delray South's chaplain.

Georgetown Professor John Esposito’s DVD series laid great groundwork for good discussion with some delightful and inquisitive people. Aneesha and I helped bring to life his well-grounded perspective. We’re due back next week to Abbey Delray South, where last year I served on an excellent interfaith panel. Meanwhile here are some scenes:

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