“We are deciding to love!” was the call of the Inauguration Eve Multifaith Community Gathering held on January 19, 2025.

More than 200 people came together from diverse faiths and spiritual backgrounds to be inspired and guided by local faith and civic leaders and choirs, and simply by being together, to commit to solidarity and love.

The event began with a procession of faith and civic leaders, and calls to prayer from Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i and Muslim traditions.

Rev. Dean Koyama and Rev. Gerald Sakamoto offered Buddhist chants. Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky blew the Shofar from the Jewish tradition.

The photographers at this event were Chris Cassell and Linnet Kwok from Pro Bono Photo. For more photos from this event, please visit https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/19-Jan-2025-Palo-Alto-Inauguration-Eve-Multifaith-Vigil.