Peace Islands Institute New Jersey

08/28/2026

08/21/2026

🌊🎒 We’re proud to partner with Bergen Family Center and our fellow community organizations for the rescheduled Back to School Splash!

Join us for a free, fun-filled afternoon featuring family activities, access to Mackay Pool, kosher BBQ, and a backpack giveaway.

📅 NEW DATE: Sunday, August 23
⏰ 2:00–6:00 PM
📍 Mackay Park & Pool, Englewood

We look forward to celebrating the new school year together with our families and community!

08/06/2026

New Jersey families, friends and neighbors—save the date!

Peace Islands Institute NJ invites you to the 7th Annual Peace Festival: a joyful, family-friendly celebration bringing many cultures together through live music, dance, food, children’s activities, a community bike and walk, and much more.

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026⏰ 2:00–7:00 PM📍 Milton A. Votee Park, Teaneck, New Jersey

Bring your family, invite your friends and help us fill the park with culture, community and peace. Please share this event with your neighborhood and community groups!

08/05/2026

We are grateful to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the New Jersey OAG for welcoming our delegation and for an open, thoughtful conversation.

Building bridges begins with listening. Through dialogue and community partnership, we can strengthen trust, promote peace, advance public safety, and help ensure every New Jerseyan feels heard.

Thank you, AG Davenport and your team, for your openness and commitment to working together for stronger, more connected communities across New Jersey.

"It was a pleasure meeting with Peace Islands Institute New Jersey to discuss the importance of building understanding across communities. Strong partnerships and open dialogue strengthen trust, advance public safety, and help ensure every New Jerseyan feels heard. Thank you for the conversation." - AG Davenport

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from Peace Islands Institute! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we wish everyone a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day. May this historic milestone inspire unity, hope, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to the values of freedom, peace, and community.

Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

06/14/2026

✨ Celebrating Creativity & Connection ✨

On June 11, we proudly hosted the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Award Ceremony at Montclair State University, honoring talented students from schools across New Jersey.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection,” inspired young artists and writers to explore empathy, inclusion, and the impact of meaningful relationships in our communities.

We are proud to recognize the 32 winners selected from schools throughout New Jersey for their outstanding creativity, insight, and expression. Their artwork and essays beautifully reflected the spirit of building stronger, more connected communities.

Congratulations to all award recipients, honorable mention students, and participants who shared their creativity and vision. Thank you to the families, educators, sponsors, volunteers, and community members who helped make this event a memorable success.

Here are some highlights from the evening and a celebration of our talented winners. 📸🎨📝

Together, we continue building bridges through art, writing, and understanding. 💙

06/11/2026

🎉 You’re invited to the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony!

📢 **Please note: The ceremony date has changed and will now take place on Thursday, June 11.**

Join us for a special evening celebrating student creativity, achievement, and expression inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

We will recognize the outstanding middle school and high school winners in both Art and Essay categories and celebrate the meaningful messages they shared through their work.

📅 Date: Thursday, June 11
🕔 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Conference Center, Montclair State University
1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043

The evening will feature inspiring presentations, recognition of contest winners, and an exhibition of outstanding artwork and essays submitted by students.

Everyone is welcome to attend and support these talented young artists and writers!

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/uMpRVxeqkXPzecps9

06/10/2026

Peace Islands Institute stands in solidarity with our fellow faith leaders as part of the Wayne Clergy Council following the recent developments in our community.

We are honored to join Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu faith leaders in affirming our shared commitment to peace, understanding, and the safety of all houses of worship. We condemn terrorism, violent extremism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and every form of hatred and bigotry.
…..
We invite our community to read the full Joint Statement of the Wayne Clergy Council below and join us in building a stronger, safer, and more compassionate Wayne for all.

06/02/2026

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University as we celebrate the achievements of the students recognized in this year’s contest!

We are excited to recognize our High School Essay Winners of the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest.

✍️ Congratulations to these talented students for their thoughtful writing, powerful ideas, and meaningful reflections inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

🏆 1st Place: Angie Yang
Bridgewater-Raritan High School – 10th Grade

🏆 2nd Place: Danielle Burgos
Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design – 9th Grade

🏆 3rd Place: Leyla Yildiz
Wayne Hills High School – 9th Grade

🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Riley Swift
Peyton Kruk
Katelyn Lara
Nihal Oztoprak
Yash Rajput

Thank you to all participants for using your voices to share messages of connection, understanding, and community. Your words remind us of the power of building bridges through empathy and expression.