Topics

Participating Congregations and Organizations
  • American Muslim Voice
  • Beyt Tikkun Synagogue
  • First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) Palo Alto
  • First Evangelical Lutheran Church Palo Alto
  • First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto
  • First United Methodist Church Palo Alto
  • Mountain View Buddhist Temple
  • Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
  • Palo Alto Friends Meeting
  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palo Alto
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Palo Alto (Catholic)
  • Social Action Committee of the Redwood City Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship
  • Trinity Church in Menlo Park (Episcopal)
  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
  • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos
  • West Bay Chapter, Buddhist Peace Fellowship

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Stop New Ban on Muslims and Refugees

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This week a new Presidential Executive Order renewed the assault on refugees, especially those from Muslim-majority countries.  Friends Committee on National Legislation furnishes background on the ban. For CAIR's (Council on American Islamic Relations) analysis, press conference and links to the actual text, click here.

This is not who we are as Americans and contradicts the central values of our many religious traditions, all of which teach us to welcome the stranger, show compassion to those in need, and respect the dignity of all people. 

Please take a moment to do one or more – or all – of the following to oppose the new travel ban:


·      Call the White House comment line (202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414) and tell President Trump that you are profoundly opposed to this policy. Give the President a strong and clear message:  “As a person of faith, I oppose the refugee ban and believe we need to be doing more – not less – to support refugees. My faith moves me to show compassion to those in need and embrace the stranger as a moral imperative. My identity as an American leads me to insist that sheltering immigrants is one of our nation's proudest traditions.” HIAS (guided by Jewish values, working for the protection of all refugees) provides some script ideas and a follow-up electronic message option.

·      Call or write to your Congressional Representative and Senators. Click here for contact information for our local Congresspeople and Senators. The ACLU offers an easy process for emailing your senators, but calling always carries more impact. Do both!

·      Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper.  It is important to keep the public discourse about the injustice of this sort of action strong. We must not allow such discrimination and inhumane exclusion to become normal or acceptable. The Friends Committee on National Legislation has talking points, writing tips and contacts for local newspapers. Just click here
 
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Hands Around the Mosque

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Muslim Community Association
3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA
Sunday, March 19, 4-6:30pm

Join with people of many faiths and walks of life, neighbors from near and far, for this Hands Around the Mosque event sponsored by American Muslim Voice and the Muslim Community Association of Santa Clara. Religious and community leaders will offer brief remarks as we stand in solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers.

Bring your whole family, friends and nieghborhood! This is a family event, and children are welcome! Tea and snacks will be provided.

Faith leaders are kindly requested to wear their religious attire for the event.

Please RSVP via Eventbrite by clicking here. This is very helpful for our planning, but not required. Also, please carpool if possible!

Strong multifaith and community participation will make this a meaninful and powerful gathering for everyone! Please spread the word!

 
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Family Book Event: Fred Korematsu Speaks Up!

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Sunday, March 19, 12noon
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street., Palo Alto

Featuring authors Stan Yogi and Laura Atkins at this event open to children, families, adults, teachers, librarians and everyone else!

Fred Korematsu challenged the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans when few others did. A new children’s book, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, explores this civil rights hero’s life and its relevance today.

Join authors Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi to learn about Fred’s lifelong fight for justice. They will read excerpts from the book, talk about the larger historical context, and lead a discussion about what people can do today to speak up for justice. This event is for children, families, teachers, librarians, and anyone who wants to join.

All ages welcome! Books available for sale and signing from Reach And Teach

 
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Multicultural Shabbat Dinner

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Community Shabbat Gathering for Solidarity and Friendship
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto
Friday, April 28, 6-8:30pm

Multifaith, intergenerational and multicultural gathering with vegetarian dinner, music, children's activities and lively conversation. Meet neighbors, make friends, and learn about diverse traditions.

Registration required. Adults $10; Children $5 to cover costs. Click here to purchase tickets and make reservations.

 
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Refuses to Make Muslim Registry

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San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance prohibiting the city using any resources to create, implement, provide investigation or information for, to enforce, or otherwise assist or support any government program requiring the registration of individuals on the basis of religion, national origin, or ethnicity, or creating a database of individuals on the basis of religion, national origin, or ethnicity. 

What a wonderful example of what we can work for in our cities and counties!

The news clip below gives a clear and strong outline of the ordinance.  (Sabiha Basrai, the person being interviewed, is the daughter of MVPJ Steering Committee members, too!)

 
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Notes of Friendship and Solidarity to Local Mosques and Islamic Centers

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Send notes of encouragement and peace to your local mosques and Islamic centers. This simple yet beautiful idea comes from the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Campaign.  Be creative!  Invite children in your community of faith or your neighborhood to write letters, too, and draw pictures of friendship and love. Consider indicating on the outside of the envelope that yours is a message of kindness and support.

 

 
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Multifaith Service of Concern and Commitment

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Multifaith Service of Concern and Commitment
Thursday, January 19th, 7-8:30pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E. Charleston, 94306

On this evening prior to the presidential inauguration, we will come together -- across many religious and spiritual traditions -- to voice our concerns and fears about the coming four years in our country, to pray for strength and wisdom for the years ahead, and to commit together to act for justice, compassion, peace, environmental protection and equality for the American society and the world. We will share music, readings, prayers, silence and wisdom from many traditions to offer guidance, inspiration and courage, and to strengthen the bounds of our beautiful diverse community.

People of all faith traditions and those of no particular faith are all welcome.

Visit our Facebook page (or use https://www.facebook.com/events/425173557814696/ ) and share/invite others!

Click here to download flyer. 

 
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Human Billboard on Day of Inauguration

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Peninsula Peace & Justice Center is holding an Inaugration Day Protest on Friday, Jan. 20, 5-7pm, at the corner of Embarcadero and El Camino in Palo Alto.  Join them!
 
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Book Talk with Quaker George Lakey

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Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians got it right and how we can, too is the title of sociologist, Quaker, and former Swarthmore professor's George Lakey's newest book.

Hear the author Friday, Jan. 13, 7:30pm at the Palo Alto Friends Meeting House, 957 Colorado (between Louis and Greer, south of Oregon Expressway).

Click here to download more information about the book.

 
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Red Grammer Children's Concert

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Enriching lives one SONG at a time!

Sunday, January 15, 10-11:30am
Woodside High Performing Arts Center
199 Churchill Ave., Woodside, 94062

Join us as world-renowned children's singer/songwriter, Red Grammer, shares a morning of music, songs and joy.
The concern will celebrate our shared human values and honor World Religion Day and the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sponsored by the Palo Alto Baha'i Community.

Tickets are $5/seat. Accessible seating available. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite by clicking here.

All are welcome!

 
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