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.
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
ASA, Excellent effort. May Allah(swt) continue to reward this good work. By the way, the banner about, “Humanity is One,” which was used by IWDM a few years ago. I came ome from that program by the Imam and had a replica of that banner that we hope to use for a program here in Augusta,Ga in 2011. What a coincidence. If I remember correctly, the imam made no or few comments about the banner. Hmm?