Interactive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook

A Practical Guide for Embracing the Growing Religious Pluralism in America

"In the process of [interfaith] engagement, we discover … a world in which our faith is richer, deeper, and more contextualized, and God's very Self is seen in more of its fullness."
―from the Introduction

This practical guide to the key methods and resources of the interfaith movement will help you effectively engage people of other faith traditions in order to increase understanding and acceptance in your community and beyond.

Drawing on the knowledge and experience of interfaith leaders from the world's many faith traditions―Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahá'í Faith, Jainism, Shinto, Sikh Faith, Taoism, Zoroastrianism―this comprehensive resource provides practical ideas for connecting with people of all faiths and backgrounds through common concerns and activities that promote respect and support. It enables communities rich with diversity to work together to create paths toward peace and justice.

Contributors:

Rev. Dirk Ficca • Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy • Rabbi Carol Harris-Shapiro • Bud Heckman • Abby Stamelman Hocky, MSW • April Kunze • Rev. Dr. Clark Lobenstine • Rori Picker Neiss • Dr. Eboo Patel • Noah Silverman • Rev. Susan Teegen-Case • Rev. Dr. Francis Tiso

Rev. Bud Heckman is an ordained United Methodist clergyman from Ohio, currently serving as the chief development officer at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, a unique theological school that
focuses on interreligious dialogue and enjoys a diverse student body of Christians, Muslims and Jews. He is the former executive director of Religions for Peace-USA, where he started as a consultant working with local U.S. communities on interfaith issues. He delights in the relationships established with fellow contributors during these times.

Rori Picker Neiss is program coordinator for the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance and former lead staff of Religions for Peace-USA. A graduate of the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College in New York City, Rori researched interfaith dialogue among Orthodox Jews and wrote her thesis concentrating on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's seminal treatise "Confrontation" on the barriers to Jewish participation in interfaith dialogue.

Rev. Dirk Ficca is the executive director of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and moderator of Chicago Presbytery's Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.